POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 22452, 24 September 1936, Page 8

POLITICAL POINTS

UNPAID NATIVE LAND RATES [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 23. “ This is a strange urgent question,” commented the Minister oi Finance in the House when Mr Broadfoot (Waitomo) requested him to inform Parliament whether it is proposed this session to relieve local bodies and ratepayers of the heavy burden imposed on them through the non-payment of rates on Native lands. The Minister enforced bis point about making this an urgent question by reminding the House that the matter had been under consideration for '• 10, 20, or 30 years.” Mr Broadfoot; Wo had your word that it would be considered. The Minister: The Government has the matter under consideration with other Native questions, and when these have been investigated we will advise the House. * « * * NATIONAL HALF-HOLIDAY. Over 1,500 residents of Napier and Hastings have petitioned the House advocating a national half-holiday on Saturday, thus reviving the movement which produced last session some immense petitions. It is claimed that where towns have changed to Saturday from the Thursday or Wednesday halfholiday they would under no circumstances go hack on this decision, as there is an unbroken shopping week. The petitioners ask that the Government legislate this session to make the Saturday half-holiday compulsory in all towns. • « » # NOVEL WAR SERVICE PETITION. An unusual reason for a claim to grant £1.500 and other relief is given by W. P. Storey (Auckland), wdiose petition was reported on to the House by the Defence Committee. Mr Storey makes the claim on the ground of information allegedly given in regard to the movements of certain ships during the Great War. The Defence Committee has no recommendation to make to the Government.