PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1921, Page 1

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

(By our special reporter). ANS WEILS TO QUESTIONS. I WELLINGTON, .March 14. Ministers answered questions for an hour and a half this afternoon, and then the House adjourned until the I' ■ evening, when tho Address-in-Reply debate was opened. The questions elected some statements of general interest. NO COMPULSION USED. '• Mr Massey stated that subscriptions to the six million soldiers’ settlement loan had totalled four and a half millions. When the time had come for the collection of income tax, the Government had felt it. unfair to press the ( people too hardly, and had suspended 1 operations in connection with the loan. No compulsion had actually been brought to bear upon subscribers. He I might ask for the balance of the loan a little later. j THE SURPLUS DISAPPEARS. Mr Massey explained, in answering another question, that the surplus of i two and a half millions in hand at tho ; end of the last financial year had praej tically all been used for public works. It could not he repaid to the ConI solidated Fund until he was able to raise additional loan money, and that was one of the matters ho intended to take in hand in Britain, if the oppor- ! tunity offered.. j TALK OF ECONOMY, j The time had come for rigid economy in every branch of the public service. There might have to be retrenchment, hut he hoped that would not he necessary. It was very necessary that everybody should practice economy and not insist upon Government undertakj jug expenditure that was not absolutely I necessary. I MEAT PRICES. Referring to meat prices in Britain, Mr Massey said tho slump was due largely to the diversion to London ot mutton and lamb that had been sold i from New Zealand for tin; American market and of beef that had been sent to Britain by the buyer and was coni--1 poling with the meat sent direct fresji from New Zealand. The moral of the sit nation was that New Zealand producers shorn! cultivate the British market, ami not pay too much attention to other markets. He believed that within a few months the market in Britain for New Zealand meat would be,back to normal. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. The Prime Minister made a general statement regarding the Imperial Conference, but did not throw much new light upon the business that is • taking him to London. Me said he was fully J prepared to take the decision of tho House. Me believed that the Conference was going to be most important, in connection with the Empire* and the eablei’Tsms that had been published J gave a pretty good idea of the matters that would he discussed. lie would prefer to remain in this country, but believed that Hon Lloyd George bad strong reasons for asking for the attendance of tlie Prime Minister. INTEREST 0 PER CENT. j

New Plymouth Borough Council, which is in need of additional money for liydi-o-eleetric works, had been informed by the Government that if it secures the auction of the ratepayers, it may borrow money at six per cent. Other local bodies which are unable to borrow at 5) per cent, doubtless will receive similar permission. bread and butter subsidy. Asked regarding the bread and butter subsidies, MV Massey said the subsidy should he withdrawn, and the Minister for Finance said he would- ho glad to

do this, in view of the fall in the price of butter in Britain. This fall would effect the local price after the Imperial contract, had expired on March 31st. ji lie could reduce subsidies by three-quar-ters of a million as there seemed to he no difficulty in doing, lie could probable reduce taxation to that extent.

ADDRESS DEBATE. WELLINGTON, March 15 Mr "Williams (Bay of Plenty) and Mr Craigie (Timaru) in moving the Ad-dress-in-Reply, male speeches proper to such an occasion. O PPOSITION AMENTUM ENT. Then the Leader of tho Opposition (Mr Wilford) moved his amendment, approving of the Dominion being adequately represented at the Imperial Conference, but objecting to the postponement of the business ot Parliament. He reminded the House that in !')()!) Mr Massey, then Leader of the Opposition, had objected to the. postponement of the session to enable Sii Joseph Ward to attend the Imperial ('(inference. He proceeded to make a general attack on the Government policy, particularly with respect to the purchase of land, which he considered had inflated values to a. dangerous extent. THE GOVERNMENT SIDE. The Minister of Internal Affairs replied in a workmanlike speech and then the debate was adjourned.