JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1920, Page 1

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, August 26. REFERENTS TO UNIONISTS. Hon Maegregor lias given notice in the Council to move for the abolition of preference to Unionists. The motion has not the least chance of becoming effective ,but it may interest Councillors. Mr MacGregor thinks that preference to unionists has the effect of forcing loyal, moderate men to enter Red unions and submit to the dictation of extremists. BUTTER PRICES. Mr Massey was asked iin the House if the butter producers were going to get 280 s per cwt. for export, and what the local price would he. He said that lie expected the contract with the Imperial Government would be completed. Sufficient butler was in store to last until the end of next month, and the price of this butter would not he increased. Tlie local price, after September, would he a pialter fop consideration, when details of the export contract were known. He did not think tin* retail price would rise to 2s 9d. Mr Massey’s statement sepips to suggest that Government will continue the subsidy scheme since the export price of 280 s fir 2s 6d pep ppund, obviously Moujd require local retail price of aboqit 2s 9d if up subsidy were paid.

C'QAL SUPPLIESQuestioned regarding coni supplies, Mr Mnssey stated lie had received fairly, satisfactory cpmnninipntipns from the IRrijne Minister of Australia. The coninjunipatipns did not guarantee that the Pninjpjpu yvpuJd get all the con) required fro pi Australia, but indicated that loadings for New Zealand were proceeding and that sufficient coal was coining to relieve the pressure. OTIR A TENNJCL. ' Air Wilford (IJritt) asked for information about the Qtira tunnel contract which had Jieen let tentatively, to the English Electpical Coy. He said there had been two tenderers, the English .Electrical Coy ajnd file National Electrical Coy. of New Zealand. Mr Ewan Parry, late Chief Electrical Engineer here, and now Electrical Adviser to the New Zealand Government gas Genera] Manager of the English Electrical .Coy. which was a powerful concern formed by a combination of several companies. Tho National Electric CuV was n New Zealand concern dealing chiefly in American machinery. Mr Wilford suggested that Mr Parry had the specifications of local company’s tender before leaving New Zealand and asked if Mr Parry was still noting as adviser to tlie Government. IMPREST SUPPLY. The Monthly Rnprest gupijly Bill was introduced and gave rise to a general debate. Members may talk about anything at all f an Imprest Pill and they usually take full advantage of their opportunity. Ulr Massey mentioned that the public expenditure, apart from loan money, was flow at the rate of about two millions monthly and Air Forbes, (Hmunm) and other members 'urged the need of an effort at economy. They believed that the extravagant expenditure of Government departments was influencing the general community in the same direction and asked for the appointment of a Commission to study the matter and see if the taxpayers were getting value for their money.

PUBLIC WORKS. ])r Newman, (Wellington East) demanded a fairer allocation of Public. Works expenditure. He mentioned that tliero were fourteen branch railjvays under construction in Auckland, and nine in all the rest of New Zealand. Auckland had 1150 men on railway works as against 950 for the rest of the Dominion, this gave rise to a general discussion on Public Works expenditure. Mr Ngata (Eastern Maori) told the House that the East Coast eon tained all the best of the Dominion s virgin lan& and that a railway connecting Gisborne and Taurangai was the most important line that could bo constructed. Appeals came from ?outbern members for the completion of South Island main trunk railway. Mr Reed, (Bay of Islands) though that Maori land titles should be me 1vidualised quickly, and Maoris then placed in the same position as Europeans. This would solve much of the native land problem and bring vast fertile areas into profitable pccupatio , while at the same time removing f f riv‘their^mre 1 Hocal rating. '*“S,uS.rc;.KVEE HHOINDEH WELLINGTON, August 26 The House discussed many matters until after mid-night. Much of the debate was dull. There was some sparring aibout native lands. Mr Lysnar joined Mr Reed in urging that natives

should be given full control of their land and he required to make them productive. Dr Pomare countered with a suggestion that if production per aero ■was a test of right to hold land, the Pakoha ought to make way for Chinese. Members talked of roads and railways, cows and motor cars, houses and electoral districts and when they were all tired they put the Bill through its’ stages.