JOTTING FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1920, Page 1

JOTTING FROM THE LOBBY

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) PENSIONS AMENDMENT. WELLINGTON August 18. A promise was given in reply to a question to-day by Sir William Hciries, that the amending Pensions Bill to be introduced this session will provide for an increase in the disqualifying amount of income both for single and married applicants. Sir Wm. Herries Minister of Labor, informed Mr Luke in the House to-, day that the question of allowing an increase in the maximum rental for houses of eight per cent on tlie capital value to cover the increased cost of maintenance of houses was being enquired into by the Department. WOOD PULP. At the end of last year the Govern-

ment sent to the Imperial Institute sample ß of N.Z. timbers with the object of discovering whether any of them were suitable for the manufacture of paper. Mr Guthrie said in the House to-day that no reply had yet been received from tli e Institute and the Government anxiously awaited this reply. Should the reply he favourable definite proposals with regard to the establishment of the wood pulp industry in the Dominion would be made by the Government.

SUBSIDY FOR BATHS. The Minister of Education stated today that by a recent decision of Cabinet, a subsidy of £1 for every £2 voluntary contribution is payable by the Government to School Commitees for the making of school swimming baths subject to the condition that the baths are constructed on land held by the Education Board in general. The amount of the Government subsidy is limited to £l5O. HIDES PURCHASE. Farmers are dissatisfied with the present arrangement by which N. Z. Tanners may purchase hides at auctions, without themselves bidding for them. The rule is that a N.Z. Tanner has the right to take any lot sold at the final bid. The effect of this system is to slacken competition by taking the N.Z- buyers out of tlie market forall intents. Replying to a question to-day Mr Massey said that the matter of the prior claim of tanners to hides over exporters had received careful consideration and the Government hoped soon to be in a position to modify the existing arrangement. A CURRENT RUMOUR. A rumour was cjurrent some days ago that the Niagara on her last voyage to New Zealand brought a number

of Germans to .settle in Taranaki, those Germans describing themselves as Swiss. Sir Wm. Herries was asked a question in the House about these men and he replied to-day that he was not aware that any Germans had c°me to New Zealand by the ship. If it could be shown that any Germans had come to Now Zealand illegally they would be deported. TELEPHONES. The Postmaster-General said to-day that tho prospects of obtaining more material for the construction of party telephone lines in tho country were now improving and construction work would be accelerated in. every possible way, as the material*) came to hand. WELLINGTON, Aug. 20. GAMING BILL.

The Legislative Council received the Gaming Hill from the House. Sir F. D. Bell moved that the Council should not insist upon its amendments relating to tho publication of the dividends, legislation of betting telegrams, and reduction of the number .of races at winter meetings. He said if the Council insisted, the Bill might be lost altogether. Discussion was adjourned. The House adjourned after the formal business in the afternoon in order that members might attend the foothall match. A BLOCKADE. The evening was occupied by a long discussion..regarding the Pacific Islands arising from tlie presentation of the annual report on Cook Islands. It was rather a dull debate and members may not have., been unconscious that its ■effect was to block some private Members Bills including Mr Statham’s Bill abolishing pigeon' shooting.