POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20184, 12 March 1931, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES

\ ~ [THE FKEiSS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, March 11. Waitaki Hydro Works. In the House of Bepresentatives today the Government "was asked for an estimate of the damage effected by the recent flood "which washed away the bridges at the Waitaki hydro works,-, Mr B. Semple (Lab., Wellington East) sought a return showing how: much cement, and at what cost, was used for grouting,'the coffer dam on the Canterbury side of the river and the lower side of the dam, how much material was used to no purpose, and what was the cost of replacing ' the bridges washed away/ , It had been estimated, Mr Semple said, that 2000 tons of'liquid cement at £6 per ton had been wasted on the coffer dam grouting, representing a loss of £12,000. Samples of cement which was crumbly and had failed to bind were on exhibition from material recovered from the river bottom with a grab. It had been stated by the District Engineer that it would cost £'4oo to replace the bridges washed away. Mr Semple asked also for particulars regarding the fees and payments to Professor JJornell for -his reports on Arapuni, Waikaremoana, and "Waitaki. Wage' Seduction. j There were several indications during the first half-hour of the emergency session to-day that certain members, representative of all were not entirely in agreement with the detail of the Government's wage cut proposals, while others were determined that reduced wages shall be accompanied as far as Parliament can make it possible by a reduced cost of living. As soon as the Houqe met there was a crop Of questions* mainly relating to the economic position of the country, and press*' ing the Government for action to relieve the burdens of various industries.' Mr A. Harris (R., Waitemata) sought a return of the estimated revenue from tho 10 per cent, general .Civil Service cut, and alternatively the revenue producible .from a graduated cut - accord' ing to salaries. - , ; Mr C. Carr (Lab., Timaru) asked for the establishment of • unemployment camps trf accommodate men now tramping the country and "begging from householders who can ill afford charity., 1 Mr" P. Eraser (Lab., Wellington Central) asked for legislative protection, pf tenants threatened with'ejection those unable to meet" their obligations to tho State Advances Eepartoient _pa account of the depression. Mr H, T'. Armstrong (Lab.j Christchurch East) asied.' when the Government would cease its dismissals ; the railwajr ,£e withea for an assurance that .th§ dismissals vrare not going to rddufier ritaffs to foremen and highly-paid ; ? ' South) wished to help employment by the suspension ,o£ all assistednjlgra* tion to thfi Dominion, except tht&e coming out to meet, breadwinners, / " '• ' \r< f ,v'"^%-X A possible attack, upon tho vrh&at , duties was -foreshadowed by* several questioners ; in the Bous? of Represonasked tho 'Croirernmont^'tq legislation redowng -the 'jprestiit of taxation on wh'eat and,flouf,th«qtfy reducing the ?ost of Imng vjkhd, cheapening tho price of added. . thfl. prick tralia was AS los per (he. at' the Mr T. W. also .asked the to investigate tlie-aeale .flour dufies, which, »aid..*aaodrlid 'to the 41b loaf. This w*> kfQings'fcha pjgindu»tar poultry industry. 'Best T.aa polling in Australia, at .£B. JfigJ against £l7-10s ii>!wefriz3k!*td, asked for ! the abolitionscale > jif bafara - effected in, OMI wages. c - h \ I v - V»V/$r r? &fc uofaptamm. ' Asked to-day if he tdhd*& to 'lilt! •former ftstimats ppsing of session, tta BL Hon,. & r* adjourn ratty Ufa naval date'-^afMßtiftE tog' Ijarjtt'ftxneat fo, would I>e appointed* this MtStLi