JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1920, Page 2

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.; AN AMENDED ACT. WELLINGTON, October 21. An amendment to the Military. Service Amendment Act recently passed, was introduced iby Vice-Regal message in the House to-day. The amendment was accepted and embodied in the Act without being read to the. House, v :d without any member asking what was its effect. The new clause gives extended authority for the payment of the war gratuity, and is intended to meet cases of hardship that have been mentioned in the House during the session. Where any person eligble to leceive the gratuity, the Defence Minister is to be permitted, at his discretion to make payment to the personal representatives of the deceased person. Discretionary power is given also to pay the gratuity due in respect of seivice of a. deceased soldier to any relatives or to a person who was charged with the maintenance of deceased soldier in Ins infancy. FLOUR CONTENTS. A suggestion that Government should prepare for dearer wheat by requiring millers to include more of the grain in flour, was made in the House by Dr Newman (Wellington East). Millers, said the member, took out nutritous elements amounting to from 20 to 25 per cent of the whole grain in order to produce nSvery fine white flour. The Minister for Agriculture replied that he would have enquiries made on (he point. He was aware that roller methods of milling used in this country tiok a great deal out of the wheat, and he would inquire with a view fty' seeing whether in the went of an advance in price of wheat, a larger proportion of th e good constituents could be left ir flour. DEATH DUTIES. WELLINGTON, Oct. 20. The Death Duties Bill was passed by the House last night, after considerable debate. Members generally approved of the increase in death duties, but sug- | gested that if possible the burden should be reduced on smaller estates and increased on larger. Mr Massey promised to look into the’ point. He said he could ont afford to give way any revenue, but if an adjustment could be made, in the direction suggested be would introduce an amendment later. He added that while not at all pessimistic, he felt bound to provide for the possibility of a financial difficulty in the future. It should be remembered that each lot of produce now leaving New Zealand, as well as largo quantities in stores had already been paid for by the Imperial Government and Would not be paid for again. THE GAMING BILL. The Gaming Amendment Bill came before the House late in the evening, and was not finally disposed of until after mid-night. Members who had supported Mr Hunter’s original Bill proposing the issue of thirty eight additional,, permits argued that the opponents of the Bill were bound to accept the compromise offered by Mr Massey at the end 'of 'the long stonewall las week. This compi-omise was the ap pointmont of a Commissioner to mak a recommendation to Governmen after inquiry regarding totalisator per mits, the Government to have power t< act on the reeommendaions of commit tee subject to confirmation by Parlia ment. Messrs McCoombs and Isitt wli< had led opposition to the Bill protestec that this would enable Government t< increase permits before Parliament con sidered the matter. The racing men replied that the extra permits -would sot operate until next season eoiiimeneing on August Ist and that Parliament was sure to meet before that date. The Bill eventually was passed in its amended form without division. It proI vides for the appointment of a commission which will study the whole position in regard to totalisator permits,: and report to Government. Then Government may issue permits accordingly, but if either House of Parliament disagrees later, the now arrangement will lapse and the present position will be restored. The Bill provides also for the issue of eight additional hunt clubs permits, so that each hunt club may have one day each year. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. The Public Works Statement is definitely announced for Friday. The Minasted states that the Statement and Estimates will be delivered on Friday to all nowspaper offices.