PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1920, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

IPKU CHESS ASSOCIATION.- -COPYKIGIif. J ' ' 1 WELLINGTON, July 27. I THE COUNCIL. j The Council met at 2.3 U p.m. Hon Jones presented a petition from I the Secondary School Assistants’ Asso- 1 ciation, asking for a refund of costs in- | volved in the successful appeal on behalf of H. B. Searlo against, the New Plymouth High School Board of Governors’ action in dismissing him. Tlio Gaming Amendment, J urieative Amendment, Arms and Magistrate’s Court Amendment were received lroni tlio House of Representatives, and read a first time. Replying to Col. Smith, Sir F. 1). Bell said the present position prevented him expressing himself fully in regaid to the shipping question, which was now under the consideration of the Government, but in vieiw of the possible change in freights, it was not advisable to intervene immediately. On Hon. MacGregor’s motion, the Arbitration Act .Amendment Bill was discharged from the Order Paper at his request. Tlie Revocation of Nationalisation Amendment Bill was reported from Committee with minor amendments. The Council rose at 2.50 p.m. THE HOUSE. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time: —Crimes Act Amendment (Hon Lee), Statues RepeiH and Expiry Hours Continuance (Hon. Mr Massey). Tlie reainined of tlie sitting was taken up with formal business. When the House resumed at 7.30, Mr Massey, as Minister of Finance, delivered the Budget. The reading of the Budget occupied just over two hours. Tlie Premier intimated that the debate would begin next Tuesday. The House rose at 9.30.

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY (Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 28. BUTTER FOR THE PEOPLE! Mr Massey was asked for information about the butter purchase in the House to-day. Mr Field ;.Otaki) suggested that the producers could get even better price in America than in Britain. Would Government allow export to the American market, the surplus to go to Britain? Dr Newman (Wellington East) speaking from another point of view, asked what the Government was going to do to protect the local consumers from the prohibitive prices. EXPORT DIFFICUJ .TI US. Mr Massey replied that the producers had tlie disposal of the butter in their own hands. There would be no commandeer. Their representatives would meet in Wellington to consider the position. He pointed to the shipping difficulties in regard to shipments to America. The British authorities intended to exercise some control over imported butter. Producers would have to consider the whole position. PRODUCER BEFORE THE PEOPLE. Mr Massey suggested thequostion of the local price he held over until he conferred with the representatives of the producers. He would not occept any scheme that would he unjust to the producers. The prime duty of the Government was to encourage production. LACK OF OUTLOOK. The House discussed Immigration during the afternoon. It was rather a dull debate intended apparently to fill in time until the presentatoin of the Budget in the evening, liiie majority of the speakers wished no immigration j to be encouraged. I The Labour members protested that ; the housing difficulty should lie over- ■ come first. j CRIMINAL APPEAL. ' The Crimes Amendment Bill was introduced. It provided that any person sentenced ti) imprisonment for a crime may apply to the Appeal Court for leave to appeal against the sentence on the ground that it is excessive: If leave he granted, the Appeal Court will hear ( lie appeal. TO RIGHT A WRONG. The Bill also extends the functions of the Prisons Board to cover persons undergoing long sentences for serious offences. This amendment was promised in connection with the Alice Parkinson case.

THE BUDGET. .Mr Massey read the Budget at the evening sitting. EXPIRING LAWS EXTENDED. Tlie Statutes Repeal Expiring La tvs Continuance Bill was introduced in the House with several important cluases. It extends the rent restriction provisions of various Acts. The provisions dealt with in this way are found in the Acts of 191(5, 1917, 1918 and 1919, and the extension is until August 31st, 1921. They include the assessment of rent at 8 per cent on the 1914 capital value, and protection of tenants from ejection. The protection given to . soldiers and discharged soldiers in occupation of dwellings is continued until August 31, 1921. Authority was given to the Government by the Finance Act 191(5 to make regulations regarding hanking, rates of interest, note issue and investment of moneys. This is extended by the repeal of Section 48, which limited the authority to the duration of the war and twelve months afterwards. Sections 42, 43 and 44 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1914, giving the Government power to exempt lessees of Crown land from cropping conditions, and to postpone the payment of rent and pastoral runs and small grazing runs, is extended until August 31, 1921. Section 70 of Finance Act, 1917, giving the trustees power to raise money m the security of trust estotes for inrcstment in Government loans, is siminrly extended