THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1561, 3 October 1912, Page 8

THE HOUSE.

'• WASTED FIREWOOD. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. H. G, ELL (Christchurch South) asked the Minister for Public Works, without- notice,; whether he would fake any steps to have the firewood now being burnt in -Parliament grounds cut and disposed, of to people in Wellington, tie had been informed that the State Coal Department, had . been offered the wood, but had not taken it away. He thought it a very great pity that so much good firing was being wasted. The Hon. W-. FKASER (Minister for Public Works) said that a few weeks ago ho had made a reply to a similar question. Thb wood was offered frro to all nud sundry, .but people would hot take it unless it was-delivered at their doors, anil this was a duty which the Public Works Department could not undertake. Ha had heard nothing,.. of tho offor to thi< State Coal Department, buf; possibly it had been made without his knowledge. Possibly the Department recognised that it might cost more to cut tho flren-o-id than could be got, for it. He agreed that it. was a shame that good firewood was being wasted, but he cuuld not help adding, that it was a pity that the fitini; .was available. (Hear, hear.) • The Horn K. M'KENZJK (Motueka) confirmed tho • Minister's statement. 'J.'lu. wood had been offered to the public, but nobody wanted it. Mr. Ell: It is ridiculous to say thai peoplo won't take it away, Mr. M'Kpnzie: The honourable member foi Ohri'itchurrli South wns a momber of the Ministry, that did most oi tho burnt.

ins. Why didn't ho take steps to ■ prevent it? Mr. J. PAYNE (Grey Lynn) nsk«l the. Minister whether, if he (Mr. I'aymy pui an advertisement in the papers in Wellington, to the effect that wood could be 'obtained free on application in Parliament grounds, people Svho w.Mitul it would bo nllowed to take it away. Mr. Fraser said he was not aware that there was any more fiuuwood available, but if there was any left, and pjoplo wanted it, thev could have it. Mr. Payne said lie would put the r.dvertiscment in tlio papers the neit day. VALUATION OF LAND, The Hon. D. BUDDO (Kaiapoi) gave notice that when tho Valuation of Laml Bill was in committee he would move certain amendments. REEFTON DISPUTE. Mr. J. PAYNE (Grey Lynn) asked the Minister for Justice whether he. proposed to make the Eeefton mining companies comply with the awards to which they were parties in the matter of allowing two men to work a rock drill. The cause of the trouble at Eeefton was that the companies wanted to introduce a singlehanded rock drill. He hoped the Minister would bo as careful to see that the law was carried out against the companies as he- had been to enforce it against the workers at. Waihi. .' The Hon. A. L. HEBDMAN (Minister for Justice) advised the honourable member to put his question on the -Order Paper, pointing out that it ought to bo addressed to the Minister for Labour. PUBLIC REVENUES. The Public Revenues Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's message and read a first time.