PARLIAMENT AT WORK

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 310, 24 September 1921, Page 8

PARLIAMENT AT WORK

IMPORTANT LEGISLATION INTRODUCED THE MORTGAGES AND DEPOSITS EXTENSION BILL REGULATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES Some of the Government Bills made their appearance in the House of Representatives yesterday. They included the ,'Atortgnges and' Deposits Extension Bill, i'the Forests Bill, the Motor Vehicles Bill, the Government of Samoa Bill, and the Animals Protection Bill. Notice was given of the Banking Act Amendment 1 Bill the Local Bodies' Loans Amendment Bill, and the Anzac Day Amend- ■ ment Bill. The Government obviously is not disinclined to give members material for speeches in the Address-in-Rcply debate. ; J The Mortgages and Deposits Extension Bill sets a limit to the moratorium on the lines indicated some time ago by the Acting-Minister of Finance. Provision is made for the payment of increased rates of interest under certain conditions and for the repayment of moneys by instalments. The final date for the extension of mortgages is June 30, 1925, and for the suspension of the repayment of deposits June 30. 1923. The Leader of the Labour Party gave .notice of an amendment to the Address-in-Reply in tho form of a want of confidence motion. Resolutions relating to .deceased members of tho Legislature wore moved in both Houses, and then , r the adjournment was taken until Tuesday afternoon. ADDRESSMEPLY MR. HOLLAND’S AMENDMENT. Mr. E. Dixon, tho new member for Patea, gave notice yesterday of his intention to move the Address-in-Reply. 'rhe debate is expected to he opened on Tuesday evening. Tho Lender of tho Labour Party (Mr. II E. Holland), like the leader of tho Liberal Party, intends to move an amendment to tho Address-tn-Rcply. Yesterday afternoon Mr. Holland gave notice of his amendment as follows:— "We feel it to bo our duty to submit, to Your Excellency that Your Excellency s Ministers do not possess the confidence of this House for tho reasons hereinafter given—viz.. G) Their failure to bring down a financial policy necessary to tho proper maintenance of the public services and the economic progress of the Dominion. (2) Their failure to deal with the problem of unemployment on the basis of the right to work or adequate maintenance. (3) Their failure to provide adequate housing for tho people. W Their wasteful policy of heavy coal Importations instead of local production; And (5) their refusal to furnish information with respect to the cost of imported coal.” The reference to coal drew a laugh from tho House. Members have an idea that the Labour leaders ought not to blame the Government for the conditions that made necessary the recent heavy importations of coal from overseas. THE PRffiHOISTER ■A CABLEGRAM TO MEMBERS. Tho following cablegram from the Prime Minister was read to the members of the House of Representatives yesterday by the Speaker:-*-"Regret exceedingly that date of my return to Now Zealand prevents my . Attendance rt opening of Parliament. PJomso convey cordial greetings to my brother members, and earnest hope that wo may all combine during ensuing session in promoting welfare and prosperity of Dominion, which naturally holds foremost place in their affections." ORGANISING TEACHERS • ''‘'MINISTER denies a report. A report that the number of organising teachers in the employ of the Education. Department was being decreased was mentioned 1 in the House of Representatives by Mr. S. G. Smith (Taranaki). The member asked that in view of tho. advantages that had been conferred upon back-blocks children by (he .jspnointment of these teachers, tho House should bo given an opportunity of dismissing tho matter before tho number was reduced. Ho regarded this as a matter of vital imnoi+anee to the baekblocks children. If tho matter could be hold over, time would bo given for the hack-black Parents to realise the hardship that would Iw inflicted upon them if tho-proposal was carried into effect. Tile Minister of Education said that ho could not stat** lust what, was the position until he examined the papers and consulted 1 - the Director of Education. The question rhonld go on the order-paper. To say that there was a piomwal to reduce the number of organising teachers, and thnf it would cause hardship to back-blocks settlers was not stating the position correctly. KAURI REPORT OF THE COMMISSION. Tiie report) of the Kauri Gum Commission was mentioned in the House by Mr. V. Reed (Buy of Islands), who asked that adequate opp'”-’Uni(y should bo given for its discussion. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie said that the report was ready for presentation to the House, ft was a very important report, and the House would certainly hnvo an opportunity- to discuss it fully. THE STANDARD OF GAS The question of a calorific, standard for gas was raised 'n tho House of Representatives yesterday afternoon by Mr. IV. F. Parrv (AuMrinnd Central), who asked tho Minister o' Internal Affairs (Hie Tfon. Downio Steward whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill tliis session dealing with the matter. The Minister said (hat <i Pill had been drafted, and was at present in flic- hands nf tho few draftsman. It was being considered nt tho present time, lint he was not able to say whether it would bn Introduced this session or not. THE lIOSPWS REPORT Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) «sked tho Minister of Health (the Hon. C. J. P-'t-rl in the House, of lives when .the renort of the Hospital Commission would I>>* laid on tho table. * whether there would be an opportunity of discussing it. and if any of tho re. .•ominendations would lio embodied in legislation. Mr Purr said that lie purposed laving the renort on the table next week. Members would bn given the opportunity of discussing it, and there would be a Bill embodying many of the .recommendations. PASSES FOR 1 IMRIisS SOLDIERS Replying ta a question put by Mr. D G. Sullivan (Avon) in tho House yesterday, the Minister of Railways (Hon. Jl' H. Guthria) said that every application for limbless soldiers for railway possos would bo sympathetically. coneidcred. Such passes had beoii issued already in certain eases. He could not mike any general israo of free passes to maimed soldiers, because the privi- I Jtrm would bo bound to bo abused, but ! every application would be considered. ’