PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1920, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

[PEII PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.J

THE HQUSE. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Hon Anderson gave notice of his intention to introduce the Gaming Act Amendment Bill. Tim usual sessional .committees were sot up, on the motion of Ministers. Mr Speaker reported that, accompanied by members, ho had presented to bin Excellency the Address passed by the House, and his Excellency bad made a suitable reply. When the House resumed at 7.30 p.m the'Coal Mines Amendment Bill was, oil the motion of Mr Holland, read a second time and referred to the Mines Committee. On the suggestion of the Pronik'r I lie Revocation of Naturalisation Amendment Hill was piil’ through the Committee stage unamended. The third reading was set down lor next sitting day. The House rose at 11.10 p.m. JOTTINGS FROM THt IOBBY tljji Barii.uii'.ntary Correspondent.) ANSWER TO QUESTIONS. WELLINGTON, July 14. Statements of various matters of interest are made in Ministers answers to questions. These- answers covering a fortnight’s questions were placed be lore the House to-day. Mr Massey is obtaining a report as to the cost of increasing the lower superannuation allowances on account of the rise in cost of living. Ijifficulties in the way may prove insuperable. The anti-shouting law will be dealt with by legislation during the present session. Government considers that the present method of electing the Honsogol Representatives is bettor than other method suggested as an nffirtintive. The question of increasing old ago pensions will be .considered this session when legislation is introduced regarding the retention of the present bonus. This applies also to widows and other pensions. Government will interfere if necessary to preyent money being sent outside of New Zealand for investment. Government does not propose to amend the law regarding to overdue mortgages. These all fall duo on December 31st next, but under tlie Mortgages Extension Act, a mortgagor may apply to tlie Supreme Court for an extension of the term for one year. A Bill dealing with Asiatic immigration is being prepared. County Councils are to be givun power to build homes under the Housing Act. Legislation regarding the sale of seeds will be introduced this session.

The censorship has been transferred from the military authorities to the Grown Law Office. It is being continued for the purpose of enforcing th® terms of the Treaty of Paris, relating to enemy money and properties and for prevention of evasion of those terms and also to prevent tlie evasion of the law as to tirade with the late enemy countries. Government rmoet retain the passport system as Tong as it prevails in Britain France and elsewhere, since New Zealanders travelling abroad would not he permitted to land without passports. WELLINGTON, Ju*>- 14. TOAROHA POWER. Mr Seddon (Westland) asked if the Minister of Public Works would at once instruct the Chief Electrical Engineer to report on the Toarolia river, Westland, as a sou roe of hydro- electrical power. lldn. J. G. Coatee replied that as far as information is available, Toaroaha is a suitable source of electric power for the West Coast, and a survey will bo made as early as possible. OTIItA TUNNEL. Replying to Mr Seddon, Hon. J. G. Contes said the exact date at which tlie Otira Tunnel will be completed, cannot vet be forecasted. The excavation and lining, at the present rat© of progress, should be completed in twelve months. Every effort is being made to obtain the men necessary to complete the work. POWER FOR. TUNNEL. The tenders for the installation of electrical machinery close on the 7th August, continued Hon. J. G. Coates, and 1 have no doubt that a contract will lie entered int* shortly thereafter. It is proposed to utilise the electric power generated by steam for commencing the tunnel. I may say that several schemes have been considered and estimates have been made in connection therewith, but the annual cost of running a steam plant was found to be less than that of any of the satisfactory electric sources. The idea of utilising electricity d'erived from water power lias not been abandoned, and further investigations will be made into the subject, but these investigations will not, in any way, delay the opening of the line. A stand-by steam plant is necessary, in any case, and such a plant will bo sufficient for the working of the tunnel for some time to come. A steam plant is being designed to utilise the waste products from the coal mines. THE MORATORIUM. The suggestion that file moratorium ought to be extended again, was mentioned in the House by the Prime Minister, who thought the arrangement was satisfactory’. The moratorium had been extended until the end of this year, and any person then threatened with hardship could apply for relief to the Supreme Court, which would have power to extend the period to a date not later than the end of 1921. Mr Massey added that something more might be done next, session if necessary. RATE OF INTEREST.

Mr Massey admitted that local bodies were having considerable difficulty in raising money at 5] per cent, thte maximum rate fixed by Government, hut the duty of the Government was to keep down the rate of interest. It. would be a very bad thing for the country if the rate of interest went too high. NATURALISATION. The House spent the evening on the Revocation of Naturalisation Amendment Bill. Mr Sidey (Dunedin South) urged that the Government should grant the right if appeal to de-na'turalised aliens, and he moved a new clause to that effect. The proposal as discussed | at length, and was finally defeated by i

42 to 22. Tlie Bill was reported from Committee unamended. MR HOLLAND’S SNEER, The Loader of the Official Labour seldom misses an opportunity of sneering at Britisfi institutions and Brits!) loyalty. He was called to order sharply this evening for a reference to the Royal Family. The House was considering The Revocation of Naturalisation Amendment Bill and Mr Holland was asking for greater consideration for enemy aliens affected by the Bill. He proceeded in this way. Yon received the'Prince of Wales the other day with open arms. Members.—.So we did. Air Holland.—T don’t say that you should not. My point is you did not lot liis long and illustrous line of German ancestors interfere at all. Murmurs of angry protest came Irom all over the House, and the Chairman directed Mr Holland to confine himself to the subject matter of the Bill. Mr Holland did not attempt to pursue the subject.