PARLIAMENT AT WORK

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 54, 26 November 1921, Page 8

PARLIAMENT AT WORK

CUSTOMS BILL INTRODUCED * TARIFF MADE MORE FLEXIBLE DEBATE ON IMPREST SUPPLY BILL The Legislative Council put the Samoa Bill through committee yesterday afternoon. It accepted the clause prohibiting tho marriage of Chinese coolies to Samoan women. The Minister of Lands mape a further statement regarding the finances of the soldiers’ settlement scheme. He insisted that the losses were not substantial, and that the”"soldiers were making their payments In a reasonably satisfactory way. The Customs Amendment Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in tho afternoon. Most of its clauses had been indicated in the tariff resolutions and in ministerial statements. The Bill makes provision for the-variation of duties where required to protect local industries. The goods of any country may be charged duties corresponding with the duties imposed on New Zea land goods. The introduction of an Imprest Supply Bill in the evening gave an opportunity for a general debate, which covered a wide, field.

WILL SESSION END BY CHRISTMAS ?

MR. MASSEY DOUBTFUL.

, On and after December 5 the House will sit on. Mondays at 7.30 p.m. for the transaction of Government business. ■ When Mr. Massey moved his motion for Monday sittings there were anxious inquiries from both sides of .tho House as to whether the session would be finished before Christmas.

Mr. Massey said he had expected to finish before Christinas, but they had lost a few days on tho Budget" debate, and he was afraid tho chances of finishing .before Christmas now were becoming "small by degrees and beautifully less.” “I have,” die added, "been ret quested by members to give them a chance of'getting on with the vork—(heaa’, hear) —and I am doing it. If members will agree to Monday sittings it certainly will mean that wo shall finish a few days sooner.” Mr. Forbes: Why not meet at 2.30 on Mondavs ? Mr. Massey:. 'TH get to that later.” A member: Why not sit on Saturday? Mr. Massey: I might be prepared to eit on Saturday. A Labour member: What’s the matter with Sunday, too Mr. Massey: "No, I never break tho Sabbath. In that I differ from the Labour members." He added that he could not at present agree to Saturday sittings, '-because Saturdays were required for Cabinet meetings. Important matters, such as economy, retrenchment, and the tariff, ware engaging the attention of Cabinet. A Labour member: We can do the business.’ Mr.*Massey: I would be very sorry for the country.

PROMOTE FISHING INDUSTRY

DR. NEWMAN'S ADVICE.

Of a .£25,009 vote placed on tho Estimates last year for tho promotion of the fishing, industry, only 41334 had been spent, said Dr. A. K, Newman (Wellington East) in the House last night. Tho amount placed on the Estimates this year for the purpose was 410,000. He wished to call the attention of tho Government to the fact that nothing was being done for the Now Zealand industry, which was the most' certain to pay. Nothing .would pay so quickly or as well as the expenditure of money on the promotion of fisheries. Why should not New' Zealand cultivate its fisheries as other countries did? All round its coasts were excellent fishing grounds.

HE HAD READ IT

A MINISTER’S REPLY.

A circular issued l>y tho three principal firms in Wellington dealing iu petrol was mentioned to tho Minister in charge of the Board of Trade (the Hon. E. P. Lee) in tho House yesterday by tho Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M. Wilford). Tho matter did not affect him personally, said Mr. Wilford, for he had a consignment of benzine coming out to him at present., The circular referred to the new Customs tariff, and stated that the firms in question had decided not to increase the price of petrol at present, but said (hat an increase might be necessary later. They invited their customers to order supplies now. Had the Minister read the circular, asked Mr. Wilford.

' Mr. Lee in his reply was unusually brief. Ho said: “Yes, I ’have-read tho circular,” and sat. down amid laughter.

COST OF LIVING

NEW OFFICIAL FIGURES TO BE s ISSUED.

The Prime Minister was naked yesterday by the Hon. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill) if ho could give the latest figures bearing upon tho cost of living. Would he state to what classes of items under groceries, boots, and clothing fheso figures applied? Tliid he any figures fo show wha'E decline, if any, h«d taken place in tho matter of rents?

Tho Prime Minister said that he was not able to give very much of the information sought.' Tho statistics Io which reference was made would, he thought, be published within a day or two. Putting rents to one side, he thought; there whs reason to believe there had been a considerable drop in the cost of living, four or five points. Everybody knew that there had been a decrease in the prices of butter, sugar, and moat. The decline in meat, while good for the consumer, was a. serious matter for pie producer. Thero had also been a drop in clothing.

A member: “What about boots’"

Mr. Massey said that he feared the tariff before the House and the changes proposed in it was possibly standing in file way of a drop in boots. He was going to express regret that there was no fall in tho price of the materials used by the principal Government Departments, the railways, tho Post Office, and the Public Works Department. The Government was paying about one hundred per cfyit. more than pre-war rates for this material. Tie was anxious that there should be a drop in these things ns well as in tho cost of living.

SPEEDED UP

WELI.INGTON-AVAIRAR.APA TRAIN. “Will the Minister of Railways seriously consider speeding up tho WairarapaWellington trains?" asked Mr. G. R. Sykes (Masterton) in tho House of Representatives yesterday. He referred particularly to tho afternoon train from Wellington, which made the journey to Masterton at the average- speed of fifteen miles aiv hour.

Tho Minister of Railways (Mr. Guthrie) said the Railway Department had been considering this matter for some time. Tho service was admitted to be slow. Ho was glad to bo able to tell tho member that arrangements had been made to Keducc tho time taken by tho afternoon ?°®in by about half an hour. This <*oulcl involve cutting out tho stops at ooms stations that wore served .by local trains. Tho. change probably, would como Into effect within a short time.

COMPANY INCOME TAXATION

MR. MASSEY COMMENTS ON A STATEMENT.

"There is no better evidence of tho Government's lack of foresight than tho recent statement by the Prime Minister that if the income tax were confined to independent incomes the minimum rate wouldl be 3s. in the pound.” These words, which appeared to be port of a speech delivered by a gentleman connected with tho Chambers of Commerce Conference, were going the rounds of the Press, said tho Prime Minister in the House yesterday afternoon. Mr. Massey explained that at the end of tire financial debate he had quoted from a memorandum of the Commissioner of Taxes a passage which was apparently tho one referred to in tho words given above. He wished to put on record precisely what he hod quoted. It was as follows: — "It would be possible to collect the revenue by levying a flat rate of 3s. Gd. in the pound on company profits, and assessing the dividends of individual shareholders, but to enable this to ho done tho individual rates of tax would require to start at a minimum of 35., with a standard rate of 6s. at 412000, and a super tax of Is. 6d. minimum on incomes in excess of 4:2000. rising to 6s. on any excess over 430,090.” That, Mr. Massey concluded, was the information with which the Commissioner of Taxes had supplied him. He was prepared to take the Commissioner’s opinion before that of any other authority.

ECONOMIES COMMISSION

REPORT NOT TO BE PUBLISHED.

Further inquiry concerning the report of the Economies Commission was made in the House yesterday by the Hon. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill),’ who asked the Prime Minister -whether before the Estimates were dealt with by tho House a copy of the report would be laid on the table. He said that the Federal Government bad made available a similar report of a Royal commission. Was there any reason why this valuable report should not see the light of day? Mr. Massey said that he was afraid that he would not bo able to comply with tho request. Tho committee was not a Royal commission. It was a committee composed of the heads of Departments and certain prominent men associated with them. They had gone to a great deal of trouble, and had produced a very valuable report. He had no objection to bringing it before the House, but the difficulty was that a great deal of tho information supplied was confidential,' and it would be a breach of faith- to make it public.

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS. The Education Amendment Bill has been returned to tho House of Representatives by the Education Committee with several amendments. Tho most important amendment requires that the teachers of registered private - schools shall bo required to take the oath of allegiance. The original Bill provided that .teachers of public, Schools should taka this oath. It also made it a condition of tho registration of private schools that there should be suitable provision for tho inculcation of sentiments of patriotism and loyalty in tho minds of the pupils. The new provision added by the Education Committee makes it a further condition of registration that any person who acts ns a. teacher in a private school shall take the oath of allegiance prescribed for tho public school teachers. Tho Education Committee has struck out clause 11, which provided that property vested in an education board should bo exempt from local by-laws.

TAUPO-ROTORUA RAILWAY

COMMITTEE’S FAVOURABLE RECOMMENDATION.

The committee that has handled tho petitions praying for the constructioii of a railway from Rotorua to Taupo, as recommended in 1920 by the committee and by a Royal Commission, reported yesterday that it had considered the petitions and decided to recommend them to the Government for favourable consideration.

Mr. Ilockly (Rotorua) supported the recommendation. He said that the railway would give access to a very large, area of useful land and 'would make possible a large increase in/ settlement and production. * Tho Hon. A. Ngata (Eastern Maori) hoped that the Government would keep steadily in view tho development of the huge areas of pumice land between Taupo and Rotorua. Ho would like to see the Minister of Lands proceed with his policy of settlement and infuse a little more energy into the administration. Mr. Guthrie: Give me the money.

Mr. J. A. Young (Waikato) mentioned that the settlors had shown their faith in the Rotorua-Taupo railway by offering to provide- .£IOO,COO towards the cost five years after completion of the 'line. The House accepted the report of the committee.

RAILWAY MANAGEMENT

Mr. AV. H. Field (Otaki) has given notice of his intention to ask the Minister of Railways the following question: “Will the Government, in view of the serious loss at present: being made on the working of our railways, give early consideration to the resolution passed a day or two ago by the associated Chambers of Commerce in Christchurch recommending a change in tho system of our railway management; and if the Government will not. give effect substantially to the resolution in question, will ft at Least consider favourably the appointment of a strong and experienced man to be associated with our railway management, as recommended in the strongest terms by Mr. Hiley in the first railway report ho submitted after reaching New Zealand?"

THE CUSTOMS BILL

MORE ABOUT THE NEW TARIFF

PROVISIONS FOR AMENDING DUTIES

THE ANTI DUMPING CLAUSES

The Customs Act Amendment, introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday, contains the schedules Included in the series of resolutions’ already adopted by the House, and also, as promised by Ministers, includes a number of important provisions against dumping and means for bargaining with countries which impose duties on the products of New Zealand. A number of small necessary stipulations are also provided, a case in point being the widening of the definition of “British Dominions” to include any territory subject to a mandate conTerred on Britain by the Treaty of Peace.

The application of the general or foreign tariff (carrying the highest scale of duty) to such eases as that of Australia is provided for by the stipulation that by Order-in-Councll this tariff may be applied, either in whole or in part, to goods which are’the produce or manufacture of any part of tho British Dominions. Another method of gaining a basis for bargaining is contained in. a further clause which states that by Order-in-Council there may be adopted with respect to the goods of any country the Customs tariff of that country as applied fo imports from New Zealand and this Tariff sYaTI apply 'to the goods of that country instead of the rates contained in any of the schedules to the Bill.

MODIFIED DUTIES.

Rower to modify/the rates, set out in the three scales of duty in their application to the countries tor which they are intended is vested in the Governor-in-Council. The maximum duty that can be so imposed on any goods is that provided for them in the genera tariff, and the minimum is that provided in the British preferential tariff. No> goods may be exempted‘from duty rn-this way unless they are shown as being exempt in the British preferential tariff. The schedule contains certain items classed, as suspended duties .lheso ai not to be levied save by authority ot an Order-in-Council, power to ( issue which is provided. Similarly, where any class of goods is exempted from duty under the present schedule, and no s>us Pen<le duty is provided, rates of duty ma ',. prescribed, ns part of the British ential tariff, the intermediate tariff, or the general tariff. these are to be deemed suspended duties, and are not t be except in accordance with the terms of the Order-in-Council establishing them or a subsequent Order-m-CounciL All these powers to issue Orders-in Council are specifically stated to exercisable for the purpose ot giving effect to any agreement or arrangement entered* into by the Government with that of. anj other country, whether British or'other wise for the purpose of promoting tra Jo with that country, or in the case ot any country which imposes what are considered to be excessive rates against goods from New Zealand, or in any other case where the exercise of these powers is held to be necessary in the public inIf any agreement or arrangement is made in this'manner, it is not to become effective until ratified by Parliament, while the Bill states, “Any Order-m-Cbuncil under these sections may be at any time in like maner revoked or varied.”

ANTI-DUMPING CLAUSES.

The special anti-dumping clauses are prefaced with an explanation that, their purpose 'is for the protection of indusf'S' 1 -; or businesses carried on in New Zealand. 'The dumping duty may be levied in tho case of (a) Goods imported into New Zealand of a class or kind produced in Now Zealand, if the actual selling price to an importer iu New Zealand is less than the current domestic value of such goods determined in accordance with t'he provisions of the Customs Act, 1913.

/b) Goods for which the actual selling price to the New Zealand importer is, in the opinion of the Minister, less than -the cost of production, including a reasonable rate of profit of similar goods in tho country of origin or export et the time when exported. (c) Goods imported into New Zealand of a kind produced in New Zealand or goods of a class produced in some other part of the Empire, and imported from a foreign country, if the Minister is satisfied t'hat any special concession by way of railway or shipping freight, ’ subsidy, bounty or otherwise has been granted it such concession will in tho opinion of the Minister have an injurious effect on anv business carried on in New Zealand or any part of the Empire. The determination by the Minister of tho amount of any such concession *hull ho fiivil.

The amount of dumping duty to be levied is to be determined as follows:— (1) In the case of goods covered by ta) above, tho duty shall he determined by the Minister and shall not exceed tho difference between the actual selling price of the goods and the'current domestic value. (2) To those covered by para graph (b) the Mfnisteri may apply'a duty not exceeding the difference between the. actual selling price and. the cost of production (including' a reasonable profit) in t'ho country of origin or export. (3) The dumping duty on goods covered bv paragraph (c) is not to exceed the amount of the special concessions referred to. If at any time it appears to the Minister that the. payment of dumping duty is being evaded by the importation of goods in any way other than by style, he mav determine the actual selling for tho purposes of tho enactment, or the current domestic value, and dumpily dutv may be levied accordingly. To eivo full effect to these provisions regulations may be issued by Order-in-Council to provide for fiho exemption from dumping duty of any goods or class of -mods where it is shown to the satisfaction of the Minister that such goods are not made or sold in substantial quantities in New Zealand or the Empire or that such goods ore not offered for sale in New Zealand or other parts of the -Empire to all purchasers on equal terms and under like conditions. Tho levying and collection of the dumpin’- dutv is made obligatory in all cases where 'it applies unless the Minister specifically directs to t'he contrary m the public interest. PROTECTING LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Special cases are provided where, by Order-in-Council, tho tariff nuiy in special cases be altered for the protection of local industries. These cases are where the Governor-in-Council is satisfied that tho existence of a duty of the rate levied is acting contrary to the public interest or injuriously to any industry or occupation or that trade concessions are being allowed or granted in respect of goods imported into New Zealand, or that tho duties payable in any country on imports from New Zealand ore excessive. In any of such cases an Order-in-Council may suspend the existing tariff in whole or in part, and may at tho same time or subsequently impose on any goods such duties or create such as

appear just. Every such Ordor-in-Coun-cil must be laid before tho House of Representatives within fourteen days if Parliament is in session, and if not, then within fourteen days, after the commencement of the next session. The House may revoke or vary the Order-in-Council, and in that case excess duty collected before the variation is to be refunded.

Modifications of the provisions for special duties on goods from countries with depreciated currency may be made and gazetted by the Minister, exempting goods which, in 'his opinion, are raw materials of any industry hr New Zealand, or are required to complete tho manufacture of goods in New Zealand, .or if their importation would not, in the opinion of the Minister, bo injuri-. ous to any New Zealand industry or to any industry earned on in any British Dominion. In every case where it is stipulated that goods are to be admitted duty free, whether under the tariff or by Order-in-Council, or in any other way, the Gov-ernor-General or the Governor-General-in-Council or the Minister, ns t'he case may be, may impose an ad valorem duty up to twenty-five per cent, on such goods if they are the product of a foreign country. The duty on the scale of the third schedule is to bo imposed on all goods unless there is produced to the Collector of Customs an invoice containing a certificate in the prescribed form stating that the goods are bona fide the produce of the country named in such certificate, which must be signed by the consignor, and stating further that they are entitled to the duty under the first or intermediate schedules. The importer may be required to make a declaration concerning the country of which the goods are the produce. If these declarations prove to be false tho goods are liable to forfeiture.

The reciprocal treaty with South Africa is specifically safeguarded, with tho addition that no duty is to be levied on South African goods at a higher rate than would be levied on tho same goods under the British preferential tariff. When .the treaty e> piles, the British preferential schedule is to apply to the products of tho country, unless altered in accordance with the Bill. The provisions of the Ijill are not to apply to the Cook Islands until the issue of an Order-in-Council directing this to take place, and in the meantime the duties at present in force there are to continue. It is especially provided that where a difficulty arises .in assessing the value of goods for thry imposition of ad valorem duty, the Minister is to determine the fair market value of the goods . and assess the duty. His decision is to he final. Such value is not to exceed the price at which the goods are sold for domestic consumption in the country of origin if it is possible to ascertain it. This clause transfers the responsibility cast on the Collector of'Customs by section 116 of the 1913 Act .to the Minister. The necessary, provision is made to provide that where the duties payable under the resolutions introduced' prior to the passing of the Bill are increased by later resolutions or by the Bill, the added duty is not to be collected in respect of goods entered for home consumption during the currency of tho lower rate, while ft is also provided that where -.duties are lowered between tho introduction of the first resolutions and the passing of the Bill refunds may bo inode. A refund of duty on raw material used in building shijJs, launches, yachts, or boats in New Zealand may bo provided for by regulations. This is not to apply to foreign goods unless tho Controller is satisfied that similar materials of British origin could' not have been reasonably obtained. The term material is to include anything required in shipbuilding, including machinery which the Controller decides could not be advantageously produced in New Zealand. As a sign of tho times, it is set out that regulations-may-be made by Order-in-Council for the purpose of ensuring the payment of duties on goods brought to New Zealand by aircraft, and to apply to aircraft all the provisions of the Customs Act applying to ships. Thy goods on«*which- duty is suspended as allowed by the Bill are to bo: —Dried fruits (currants, raisins, figs, dates); sugar of' milk declared for uso in the manufacture of infants’ food; sheet lead; dairying machinery; cash registers and adding and computing machines; iron culverts and gates for same to be for use only on public works, FAllfl.Y PROTECTION AMENDMENT

The Family Protection Amendment Bill was read a second time in the Upper House yesterday, and referred to the ... Statutes Revision Committee. The principal Act enables the wife and children of a testator to apply to the Court for an .altered distribution of the estate when the testator has not made adequate provision for 'them in his will. Tho Bill provides that if it is desired to make an application after ths firtlt twelve months from the granting of probate a request for extension of time, may bo granted, on special grounds, subject only to the condition.that the estate has not been distributed. Sir Francis Bell said that, the amendment of the Act was designed to prevent tho recurrence of an injustice which bad been • brought to the notice of tho Government.

SEVENTY YEARS OLD

NOW BANNED!,BY THE CENSOR. “They are seventy years old,” said a Labour member of the House of Representatives when the leader of the Labour Party (Mr. Holland) asked the Government why three. Socialist pamphlets had been banned by the censor. The pamphlets, according’ to Mr. Holland, were purely scientific and economic works. The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hop, AV. Downio Stewart) replied that he had not seen tho pamphlets, and did not know .why they had been banned. Ho was willing to have the decision of tho censor reviewed by the Solicitor-General if the member thought that an injustice had been done'.

ORCHARD TAX BILL

The Orchard Tax Amendment Bill, authorising the imposition of the orchard tax for another five years, was yesterday received by tho Council from the House. It was put through all stages and passed.

IMPREST SUPPLY

An Imprest Supply Bill was introduced in tho House of Representatives last night, and put through all stages. Tim Bill grants sums of money amounting to <£3,787,31X), and provides that they shall l>e charged "in tho manner hereafter to be expressed in any Act or Acts passed in this present session of Parliament for appropriating the public revenues of the Dominion for the year ending March 31, 1922."

'['lie Hon. .1. A. Hanan (Invercargill) last night urged the Government to set up an appropriation committee to adviso upon the Estimates before they were presented to the House. Tho committee should inquire where reductions could be made and waste eliminated. Then it should recommend the amount to 1» provided for each Department. 'I he committee should comprise men with a knowledge of tho administration of Do- , partments. Such men would be qualified to elicit information from departmental officers.

Mr. G. Witty (Ricearton) is asking the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that there is a largo drop of revenue in tho Post and Telegraph Department, ho will remove the restrictions relating to sending telegrams to racecourses on race days, and reopen telegraph offices at such places.

SOLDIERS ON THE LAND

MINISTER CHALLENGED BY

MR. WILFORD

REPLIES WITH LATEST FIGURES

RECENT REPAYMENTS

When the annual report on. discharged soldiers' settlement was presented in the House of Representatives yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M. Wilford) again challenged the accuracy of the statement recently made by the Minister of Lands as to the losses incurred by the Government. Mr. Guthrie replied by quoting the latest official figures supplied to him by the Department.

Mr. Will'ord said the Minister had recently stated that there had been 266 forfeitures, nineteen foreclosures, and a total loss of 4110,099 on tho soldier settlement scheme. Was that a candid statement, or was it not only misleading but absolutely incorrect? Mr. Wilford proceeded to quote figures from a newspaper cutting. He asserted that arrears and postponements amounted to nearly 41450,000, which was 40 per cent, of the amount of repayments. Mr. Guthrie said that tho figures he had recently given were the figures supplied to him in the latest return then available to him from his Department. He would reiterate That the figures were ■absolutely correct. Mr. Wilford: Do you deny tho arrears ? Mr. Guthrie: I will tell you all about the arrears. Here is the position: Advances made already in tho different districts amount to 4118,488,853. The repayments amount to 41,261,448; the arrears to 41316,738’rand the postponements to 4151,836. Postponements are not arrears. Postponements repaid—that is, out of the 41151,000—amount to .£16,399. The amount capitalised out of rents has been .£8662. Capitalisations arc made only when wo are perfectly sure that tho land will carry the burden. Capitalisations of interest amount to 42176, making a total capitalised of 48838. The number ot farms upon which tho power of sale has been exercised is 13, and the number of dwellings 13. Transfers of Crown lands set apart under the Act numbered 66, and transfers of titles subject to morttraces 529 The value at the date of purchase was 41585,011. and the consideration of transfer 4635,053, and I would ask hon. members who are out to criticise what has been done for the returned soldiers and the price at which t.ne lands have been 'bought, what is tneir ansiver to that? Mr. Wilford: Why don’t you disclose the arrears ana postponements the whole position? • Mr. Guthrie: You are getting what you don’t like, and yoij will get more ot it Tho hon. gentleman’ has criticised the price at which land has been bought. Where is his answer? Tho value at tho date of purchase of these lands 1 am referring to—these sections that have been transferred —was 42585,011. When they were transferred they were transferred at a price of 4'635,053. Where is the loss? Where is the buying too dear? Advances made in these cases were 4523,470. The -amount transferred from current account to instalment mortgage account was 417,350. The rebates earned on farms amounted x to 423,413, showing that payments must have been made fairly well. Then on dwellings the amount was 425,200, showing that the repayments on. them are also very satisfactory. Mr. Will'ord: Do you deny my figures?

Mr. Guthie: 1 am not answering yonr figures, because you are quoting from an unofficial statement. "You are quoting from a newspaper cutting which you have Taken out of something I have not shen.

■ Mr. AVilford: You have just confirmed them. Mr. Guthrie (continuing): Remissions of rent are made in every ease where they are absolutely necessary to help the man along. There have been remissions amounting to .£lO,Bll, .Mr. Wilford: You can’t deny, my figures, anyway. Mr. Guthrie: You are not quoting official figures. Minister of Agriculture (to Mr. Wilford): Do you deny his figures? Mr. Wilford: No, I can't. Minister of Agriculture: Then what are vou making a noise about? ’ Mr. Guthrie: Members will know that during tho past six months we have beeri going through a very strenuous Hme. This is the record from May to October ot the repayments of principal on current account: —April, .£8061; May, -C7G33; Juno, <£11,250; July, <£l2.561; August, <£16,896; Septcm- | x>r ’ .£11,201; October, .£10,104; total for the six mouths', .£77,796. The total payment on dweTTThgs and fams for 'these periods was -£29ffi9l2 on principal account and .£300.699 on interest aocounl. That shows that this money is coming m very satisfactorily indeed, even fii the period of stress. I do not think I need say any more. '1 he figures are absolutely correct

STATE-MANAGED BUSINESSES

DO THEY MAKE PROFITS OR

LOSSES?

“I want to take this opportunity to say a few words in favour of the nationalisation of industries,” said the Leader of tho Labour Party (Mr. H. E. Holland), when the Imprest Supply Bill 'was introduced in House of Representatives last night. Mr. Holland mentioned for the enlightenment of members of the House that nationalisation was not ihe same thing, as socialisation, and proceeded to speak at some length concerning tho State enterprises that have been instituted by Labour Governments in Australia. Ho insisted that these enterprises had been great Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames) quoted figures from a report of the AuditorGeneral of New South Walc-s to show that a net loss of <£150,000 had been th® result of the operations of the State trading concerns in that State. Mr. Holland retorted by quoting large profits made by particular State ventures in New South Wales. Air. Massey said he had listened with interest lo tile case for State industries. But there was another side than that which Mr. Holland had given. He cited lossas made on State fisheries and brick works in Now South Wales in tho year 1916. Mr. Holland: My figures are for 1920. .Mr. Massey: Then-more losses have probably accumulated. Air. Holland: No; profits. Mr. Massey quoted farther figures bearing on State enterprise. He declared his firm conviction that the State could not run industries so efficiently as private enterprise. Air. Holland said that tho figures of tho Prime Alinister wero fivo years out of date, and those of the member for Thames two years out of date. Tho big losses on State trawlers were made during tho term ,of the so-called tional Government. The Storey Government had been able to make them show a profit, iff only a small one. Sympathetic management had made State industries pay which had shown losses in unsympathetic hands.”

FOR THE BLIND

MEMBER PLEADS THEIR CAUSE

SUGGESTS BETTER PROVISION FOR EDUCATION

Speaking in clear, measured tones, from notes with which he was prompted at intervals by Dr. A. K. Newman, Mr. Clutha Mackenzie, himself blinded, pleaded the cause of the blind last night before his fellow-members of tho House of Representatives. “I have no hesitation in saying,” he stated, "that in no other British country or civilised white country is so little done for the civil blind population as in this Dominion. It is my opinion that a great deal more could be done for the blind of New Zealand without an additional penny being, spent upon them. There are 24 blinded or partially-blinded soldiers in New Zealand. Some of these men, who are totally blind, are earning as much as 410 or 412 a week, apart from their pension. That is the result of education. I would propose as a first step merely that the old age pensions should be made available to more of the blind. The next step would be a great improvement in the facilities for education. That is the main thing at the present time. A great many of tho blind are net fitted for earning a full living wage, and to those people I would suggest that subsidies on earnings should be paid. There is another class of blind person with whom it is most difficult to deal, and that is the semi-mentally defectives, of whom there axe a great number among the blind. The Jubilee Institute in Auckland is comparatively well off, with sufficient money to carry on as a quite well-conducted institution. But I am of opinion that if the matter was taken up broadly throughout the Dominion the public would subscribe very .generously for much increased organisation to enable our blind to take their place in the world. "The blinded soldiers who draw 410 or 412 a week are masseurs. Their work in the big hospitals of the Old Country and in New Zealand has earned the highest approval of tho medical authorities. It is said that their work much exceeds in efficiency that of the sighted masseur, and. some of the highest authorities have expressed the opinion that the work of massage should bo left entirely to tho blind. That is a thing that could not be brought about in New Zealand! in a day, but I think steps should he taken, towards giving that occupation as much as possible to the blind.

“A great deal more might be done for the blind, by organising volunteer workers throughout the Dominion. I constantly receive letters from people with blind relatives, who want to know what can be done for them. I think I shall set about organising in time some society throughout New Zealand to take care'of, those blind people in their homes and to teach them email trades and occupations which will Keep them happy and! occupied. “I should like also to see established in connection with the institute in Auckland some holiday sanatorium on one of the pleasant bays near the town, so that the mon and women may go there and indulge in rowing andbathing, and learn to do market gardening and that sort of thing in order that they may establish themselves in pleasant little homes. I do not favour, nor does; Sir Arthur Pearson, the establishment of the blind in institutions or colonies'for the purpose of carrying on one particular industry. I flavour training the women so that they may make good wives, and keep pleasant homes, and the mon so that they may have home occupations and homes of their own, and be independent of an institution for the rest of .their lives.”

Mr. Mackenzie received a very attentive hearing.

“QUITE INNOCENT”

RETURNED SOLDIERS NOT. RETRENCHED. , '

Notice of a question alleging that returned soldiers had been dismissed from the Public Trust Office, and an inquiry concerning the 'accuracy of the report made by Air. G. Mitchell (AVellington South) in the House yesterday, drew a prompt reply from the Alinister in charge of th<\ office (Hon. J. G. Coates). Mr. MitchelF’quoted a report of statements made at a meeting of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association, in which it was stated that two returned soldiers had been dismissed from that office, and that two other clerks had later been brought from Christchurch, so that no saving could have been effected. It was also stated that other single men were employed in tho office, and that there were a number of girl employees. Air. Coates elected to make an immediate reply. He said that so far as the Public Trust Office was concerned, every effort was being made to re’ain returned soldiers. They were the last that tho Department wished to get rid of, and it was only in very exceptional circumstances that it was agreed to retrench! any of them. If they were permanent men and their services wero no longer required they were transferred if possiblo to some other Department. The question would almost lead to ihe belief that the Government was retrenching returned soldiers. Air. Mitchell: I am only asking, if that -is true.

Air. Coales replied that tho question was not quite fair. Tho inference was that the Public Trust. Office was discharging returned soldiers and employing other people. That was quite incorrect. Ho was a returned soldier himself, if it camo to that, and he always endeavoured io have his Departments give preference to returned soldiers. Ho would inquire into the case cited. He did not think Mr. Afitchell was quite fair, and he wanted, to give publicity to the other side. The returned soldier was tho last man to* be got rid of, if he carried out his contract and was a. satisfactory officer. He wished he could have inquired into the matter before the question was asked. He did not want the impression to go abroad that returned soldiers were being discharged. Thai was not the case. So long as a man stuck to his guns .the Departments stood.by him in every- case. Air. Alitchell said in explanation that ho did not say anything about Hie Pnl>lic Trust. He merely asked if the statement published was true. Mr. Speaker said that members should investigate facis and satisfy themselves that they were fair before asking questions. THE DUTTON YARNS

big INCREASE SUGGESTED

Air. T. M. AVilford (Hutt) suggested in the House yesterday that tho Government should double, or even treble, the duty of 20 per cent, imposed upon imported woollen yarns intended for manufacturing purposes. Ho said that the overseas price of these yarns had fallen from 19s. to 4s. Bd. per pound, and the 20 per cent, duty would not provide sufficient protection for the local industry. The Minister of Customs (Mr. Stewart) said he had understood that the woollen companies wero satisfied with the duty imposed. Mr. AVilford said he had discussed the matter with-, representatives of the Wellington AVoollen Company. Tho Alinister undertook to confer with the Controller of Customs on the point. If an injustice was being done it could be remedied.

Afr. J. A. Nash (Palmerston) has asked Hie Postmaster-General whether he will give ■ further consideration to the request made in a previous session to raise tho status of tho Palmerston post office to that of chief post _ office.

PENALTIES FOR SPYING

OFFICIAL SECRETS BILL

REASONS FOR MEASURE NOT DISCLOSED

“The penalties are less than those imposed' in England, but they tiro very severe and. substantial, and I hope the Council will not think it necessary to alter them,” said the Leader of the Legislative" Council (Sir Francis Bell) in moving the second reading of the Official Secrets Bill yesterday. "There are cases,” ho added, "where death is too light ti penalty, and there are many cases where another person, innocently doing the same act, might not justly be even put for a day in prison.”

The Bill deals with such offences as spying and the disclosure of information to foreign countries. It incorporates the provisions of tho Imperial Acts of 1911 and.' 1920. The reasons for the ixissage of the Imperial Act of 1920 were not fully disclosed, to the Imperial Parliament, Sir Francis Bell explained. The Imperial Parliament was asked to accept tho statement of the Government that the amendment was essential and necessary. The New Zealand Government had been confidentially informed of certain of the reasons, but ilie was not able to enter into them. The Act pf 1920 was not applied to His Majesty’s Dominions, but it was desired' by the Imperial Government and. the New Zealand Government that the Act of 1920 should be in force in this Dominion. He 'believed that all the other Dominions and colonies of the Empire were in process of adopting iu their enactments the Imperial Act of-1920. The New Zealand Bill was drawn so- that there would be one Act combining the TinpeflaT Acts of lull and 1920. After its second reading the Bill was sent to the Statutes Revision Committee.

ELECTORAL REFORM

MORE ABOUT PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

A LABOUR MEMBER’S BILL

"The position in New Zealand is a travesty on democracy and an outrage on self-government,” said Mr. J- McCombs (Lyttelton) when he was introducing his Proportional Representation and Effective Voting Bill (No. 2)’ in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. Another Bill on the same subject was introduced earlier in the session by Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) and. perished. “If the Parliament of New Zealand is to retain its authority it must be broad, based on the people s will,” ’added Mr. McCombs. “Diere is no more pressing reform than the restoration to the people of the right of self-government.” The member for Lyttelton proceeded to point out again that the electors who voted for Reform candidates at the general election were a minority of the voters. The Government, he \said, did not speak for a majority of the people and its exercise of authority deprived the people of confidence in the sound, ness of the Parliamentary system Mr. McCombs proceeded io claim that proportional representation had been successful' in other countries and had made enormous strides in P°P ul «F tion. The scheme of proportional representation tried in New South Wales had been disfigured by methods that were bound to cause difficulties, but even with this disability tho scheme had given fairer results than the New Zealand system of election could give , Mr E Newman (Manawatu) said he wished to call the attention of t'he House to the fact that the aggregate polling in all States of the Gommonwenlth of Australia gave a verdict against the Labour Paity. He quoted ttie figures for New South Wales and Queensland. In New South Wales tire Labour vote was 285.7»2, and the an i Labour 300,000, while in Queensland Labour was again in a minority. No doubt the member for be surprised to 'hear that the Labour Government in Australia represented a minority, Mr. Newman commented. Mr. McCombs: Proportional representation does not apply throughout the whole of Australia. Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon) told the ’’Time Minister that tho Reformers rejected the system of proportionall reprojsentation in order to keep a minority Government in power. “T don’t expect' the Government to bring down a proportional representation 5Kf» ~«i<i u Mr M. J. Savage (Auckland West). Mr W D. Lysnar (Gisborne) considered that'proportional representation was too complicated to be practical. It had beea -a failure in Australia. Mr. McCombs’s Bill was read a first Speaker, it might, be■eonyenient for the House .to put this Bill alLetages at this sitting.” remarked ! Mr, McCombs amid laughter.

SAMOA BILL PASSED The -Samoa BilGrith the amendments suggested by the Statutes Rensiou <rom--inittee, was passed by the Legislatnc Council yesterday. One ot ho amendments consisted in the restoration the clause prohibiting marriage betwee! indentured Chinamen and Samoan VC wen. _ . In asking the House of Repres-n..i-fives to agree to the amendments made by the Council, the Minister ot External Affairs (Hon. E. P. 1x16) said tluw the Bill now contained the same divorce laws as those of New Zealand. It also provided now that the day in uamoa should be the same as the day- in New Zealand, whereas it had at fust proposed that the New Zealand calendar should he a day. ahead. The\question of prohibiting marriages between Chinese and Samoans had been very carefully considered. and the conclusion had been reached that the prohibition was absolutely necessary. The Chinese coining to Samoa for three years, did not mix with ihe Samoans to nearly Die extent, that was Represented by some people. Mr. C. E. Statham (Dunedin Central) was for prohibiting co-habitation of Chinese indentured labourers with Samoan women. Mr. AV. D. Lysnar: A very dangerous suggestion! “The Administration takes all Hie steps it possiblv can to prevent co-habi-tation.” said the Alinister. Mr. Lee added that he could not accept an amendment. Mr. Statham moved that the House disagree with the clause as it stood, but his motion was defeated.. The Council’s amendments wero agreed to.