POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20491, 9 March 1932, Page 10

POLITICAL NOTES.

[Fbom Oua Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON", March 8. Longer Sitting HOiiirs. The Hous6 of Representatives, on the .motion of the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, decided for the remainder of the session to sit from Mondays to Fridays inclusive, from 2.30' p.m. until midnight. • " Cabbage Butterfly. Stating that the white butterfly pest had invaded portions of the North Island, and market gardeners and farmers in the South Island were apprehensive lest it should invade their farms, Mr R. W. Hawlce (C., Kaiapoi) asked in the House to-day what steps the Department of Agriculture were taking | to prevent its spread. I The Hon. C. E. Macmillan replied I that the Department already had secured a large consignment of the natural enemy (apanteles glomeratus) of the cabbage butterfly from Europe, and arrangements had been made for further shipments. This insect, which attacked only the cabbage moth, should, if established here, prove very effective in controlling the pest. Fertilisers. Replying to Mr J. N. Masscy (C., Franklin) in the House to-day, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan said the importance to the Dominion of the liberal use of fertiliser could not be overestimated. The records of the Department' showed that its use this last season had declined from the peak of 5001b per cow milked to 3501b. Chiefly on account of this the records of the cow-testing Associations disclosed that the average return per cow had been reduced from 2181b in the peak year, 1929-30, to 2011b in 1930-31, and it was estimated that this year's production would be between 185 and 1901b per cow. It was his intention, as soon as possible, to hold a conference with those interested in the manufacture and sale of fertilisers, with the object of discovering whether by some system of rationalising an increased use could be stimulated by a lower selling price to the consumer. Unnecessary Speeches. Members of Parliament who make long speeches were taken to task by Mr A. Stuart (C., Rangitikei) in making his maiden speech in the House to-day. He was critical of the, amount of time wasted in speech-making and of the time devoted to questions that did not matter. "I do not wish to .start criticising the procedure of Parliament at this early stage," said Mr Stuart, "but I regret to think that so much time should be wasted in this House talking about practically nothing. In my opinion it would be better if the necessary legislation were brought down so we could speak upon the different measures as they come along." Bights of Mortgagees.

"From the tone of tlie speeches made in Parliament one would think that moneylenders were a greater pest than noxious weeds," said Mr A. Stuart in the House to-day. * Among the mortgagees of the Dominion, he said, were many who had Baved money throughout their lives by means of thrift and hard work, and they were entitled to what they could get for their money. The more moneylenders there were in the country the better it would be, and they would do far more good for the Dominion than many who spoke against them. In protecting the mortgagor Parliament should not take away the rights of the mortgagee. In spite of the difficulties of the mortgagor, due consideration had to Ije givfen to the man who had loaned his money in good faith. The mortgagor had been only too glad to get the money, arid it had to bo remembered that there were many people in New Zealand absolutely, dependent upon receipts from interest. Mr P. Fraser (Lab.,- Wellington South): Are you a mortgagee? Mr Stuart said he was able to say quite emphatically that he was not a moneylender. On the contrary, he was a large borrower, but he was in Parliament to see justice done, whether to the mortgagor or the mortgagee.

High Commissioner's Office. The increased expenditure on the High Commissioner's Office in London was referred to by Mr J. Hargest (C.y Invercargill) in the House to-day. He pointed out that since 1915 this expenditure had increased by 400 per cent., and suggested that there was scope for economy. Mr Hargest said that in 1915-16 the expenditure was £10,952, as against £40,000 this year. Last year the amount w#s £43,000. He did not think the country could afford that expenditure. Meritorious as the work done in London might New Zealand was not m a position to carry on, the same staff as in the past. He thought the Prime Minister might look into the expenditure on the High Commissioner's Office. Unless some curb was placed on it it get out of hand. South Island Main Trunk. * Now that public works are to be deduced to a relief works basis, Mr E. F. Healy (C., Wairau) has tabled a question asking the Et. Hon. J. G. Coates if he will reconsider the question of placing a large number of relief workers on earth construction work, cuttings, and tunnels on the South Island Main J. runic railway in conjunction with the approval of the Railways Board? All hutments, tents, and married men's quarters, together with water, firewood, and the necessary tools, machinery, and equipment are ready for fin immediate restart at a- day's notice. Economy Commission. • The report of tho Economy Commission, which was expected to be in the haijds of the Government to-day, has not actually been received by Mr Forbes, because the document must be given the imprimatur of the Governortreneral, upon whose authority the Commission" was established. Forbes expects that he will have the report to-morrow, and Cabinet will peruse and consider its contents at the earliest possible moment with a view to formulating whatever legislation it "gives rise to.