HOUSE RESUMES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21198, 22 August 1940, Page 12

HOUSE RESUMES

MINOR LEGISLATION SECRET SESSION TODAY EXCESS PROFITS TAX (By Telegraph.—special to Times) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The House of Representatives met today after an adjournment of three weeks. Five minor bills were introduced. These were the Health Amendment Bill, the Thames Borough Commissioner Amendment Bill, the Carriage by Air Bill, giving effect to an international convention of several years ago, and two “Washing Up” measures, the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill and the local Legislation Bill. Before the House rose at 5.20 o’clock, arrangements were made to hold another secret session tomorrow. “The War Cabinet and general Cabinet are of the opinion that, should the members so decide, it might be desirable to have another secret session tomorrow,” said the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser. “We are anxious to put as full information as possible before the House. We might meet at 2.30 o’clock tomorrow afternoon and sit until it is completed, instead of taking two days. By Friday we should have some bills back from the committees.” The intention of the Government to introduce a bill imposing an excess profits tax, probably to apply to income derived during the current year and in future years, was an- , nounced by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, in reply to an urgent question asked by Mr W. S. Goosman (Opposition—Waikato). Local Body Loans Replying to an urgent question by Mr E. B. K. Gordon (Opposition— Rangitikei), who asked why the Government had granted permission to the Wellington City Council to “commandeer” £1,124.900 of the sterling funds in wartime to repay a loan in London, the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, said the Government was following the request of the United Kingdom that local body loans in England should be repaid. The Government was finding the necessary sterling funds to enable the commitments of the Dominion through the local bodies to be paid when they became due. Levy on Wool The Government does not propose to abolish the present wool levy, according to a reply given by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, to a question asked by Mr H. S. S. Kvle (Opposition—Riccarton). The Minister said the war was “bound to give a fillip to the use of substitute materials, and it was more important than ever that the use of all classes of wool should be encouraged to the fullest extent. The Minister failed to give approval to a suggestion by Mr F. L. Frost (Government—New Plymouth) that the Veterinary Surgeons Act should be amended, or that legislation should be brought down tQ licence men of proved ability and experience, giving them authority to carry on veterinary work. Mr Lee Martin pointed out that for some years past the Government had been granting bursaries to New Zealand students to qualify as veterinary surgeons at the Sydney University College. Great War Funds “In view of the fact that there are still numerous ex-members of the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force in need of assistance, the time is not opportune for consideration of the winding up of the funds administered by the National War Funds Council and the various war fund societies established during the Great War of 1914-18,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, in reply to a question by Mr F. L. Frost (Government—New Plymouth). Mr C. L. Carr (Government— Timaru) asked whether the Government was making provision against damage or loss in the case of private or public property as a result of the war. Mr Nash replied: “The Government would give consideration if necessary to rehousing the people affected and for the re-establishment immediately of business or manufacturing establishments essential to the national economy.” Pay in the Navy That steps should be taken to make naval pay and allowances equal to the pay of men of the Expeditionary Force was a request addressed to the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, of which Mr J. A. Lee (Democratic Labour—Grey Lynn) gave notice. The Health Amendment Bill was introduced. The Minister of Health, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, explained that several of the clauses simply embodied in legislative form what was already being done by regulation. The bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Health Committee. Offensive Trades The bill extends the existing

powers for dealing with offensive trades, such as those responsible for river pollution. The written consent of the local authority concerned and of the medical officer of health is to be required before an offensive trade can be established or an extension made to premises in which such a trade is carried on. The local authority or the medical officer of health may impose certain conditions. The medical examination of pupils attending private schools is authorised if application for such an examination is made by the controlling authority of the school concerned. Additional powers are given by the bill for the making of regulations dealing with registration of drainlayers and also the removal and disposal of the dead. Power is given the department to deal with nuisances such as soot, dust, grit, smoke, fumes and gases.