JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1920, Page 1

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

(Opp Parliamentary Correspondent;.) HOUSING BILL. WELLINGTON, Oct. 29. When the Housing Bill was placed before tlie Legislative Council to-day, Sir Francis Bell said lie had an important amendment to propose in the rent restriction clause. This clause was worded in a manner th*t bad not been intended. The present law allowed a landlord to receive eight per cent on tlie 1914 capital value as ascertained by a Magistrate. The clause in the Bill proposed the landlord should receive seven per cent nett on the present capital value, after allowing for all charges including'rates and depreciation. Ifis amendment substituted seven per cent on the 1914 capital value, after allowing for all outgoings. This applied only to houses let in 1914. The amendment was adopted and the Bill passed. INCREASED PENSIONS. The House spent much of the afternoon discussing petitions for increased allowances ami pensions of various kinds*. Members have been urging eon cession of fills kind all Qm session. Ministers have had to reply that there is a limit to the spendiiig capacity of the Treasury, no matter how deserving the objects may be. QUESTION OF INTEREST. Mr'Massey was asked to-day what Government intended to do for local bodies that had found themselves unable to borrow money at 51, per cent, the maximum rate permitted by Government. The matter will be considered in due course, replied the Prime Minister. So far as lam able to judge there is concerted action on this subject and a great deal of pressure is being brought to bear on the Government to have the rate of interest increased. So far as I am personally" concerned, the rate of interest, will not be increased, unless we cannot help it. If we are satisfied that .there is a scarcity of money and that money is being lent below its value, that will be taken into consideration. THE IMMIGRANTS. Hon Nosworthy said' to-day Government bail been responsible for bringing several thousand people to New Zealand within recent months and these people were being absorbed into the population of the country very rapidly. They were getting accommodation and employment. The country was mopping up immigrants like a sponge tailing up water.