PARLIAMENT RESUMES

Evening Star, Issue 23370, 13 September 1939, Page 14

PARLIAMENT RESUMES

YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 12. After the week’s recess to allow the Government to devote its attention to measures connected with the outbreak of war with Germany, the House resumed to-day at 2.30 p.m., when the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Eraser, made a statement concerning war measures, which is reported elsewhere. The Minister of Lands, Mr Langstone, who made his first appearance in the House since his return from abroad, was sworn in by the Speaker. The Land Transfer Amendment Bill with several amendments was received back from the Legislative Council, the House agreeing to the amendments which had been made. The Adhesive Stamps Bill was read a second time. Moving the second reading of the Napier Harbour Board Loan Amendment Bill, Mr Cullen, on behalf of the Speaker, Mr Barnard, explained that the measure was designed to provide funds to complete works which had already been commenced. The cost of the work had risen in the meantime, and further funds were required. The _ board’s objective was to make Napier a port at which deep-sea vessels could call. Mr Jull raised strong objection to a further sum being authorised without the consent of the ratepayers by loan poll. He considered the board’s conduct of the matter had been unbusinesslike. Mr Poison supported Mr Jull in his opposition to the measure unless provision for a loan poll of the ratepayers was included in the Bill. Mr Poison contended that the harbour would cost the people of Napier and the surrounding districts well over a million pounds before it was finished. Mr Coleman said it had been contended by Messrs Jull and Poison that the loci bodies did not support the measure, but this was not the case. Moreover, not one Government department had opposed the Bill. The Bill passed its second reading and entered the committee stage. The measure was eventually put through the committee stages, was given its third reading, and passed. The Wanganui Harbour District and Empowering Bill also met with steady opposition when it came up for its second reading, and when the House rose at 10.30 the committee stages were not completed. Mr Cotterill. who is in charge of the measure, said it was proposed to amend the Bill to reduce the overdraft authority to £6.000 to allow necessary work to be carried on until the loan poll was taken. The House rose at 10.30 p.m.