PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1921, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION j THE COUNCIL. 0 The Legislative Council met at 11 a.n Sir F. Bell in answer to a question by Hon M. Cohen said Government ' proposed to give Parliament full opportunity of reviewinf the report of the Racing Commission before issuing additional totalisalor permits. Sir F. Bell moved tho second reading of the Noxious Weeds Amendment Bill which gives power to declare hawthorne a noxious weed, and Snakes it an offeneo to plant hawtliorne hereafter. Hon M. Thompson protested against this as careless legislation. It would ' a wicked thing to prohibit in Southland the planting of the most useful hedge available. Hon Izard said that the position might he met by making the prohibition dependent on the decision of the local authorites. Hons Triggs and Garland supported the Bill. Hon Geddis considered the Bill inconsistent in its two main proposals. Hon. Fisher suggested the Bill should he held over until the authorities were decided as to the nature of etli blight. The Bill was read a second time. The Council adjourned at 11.40 a.tn. until 2.30 p.m. THE HOUSE. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. •WELLINGTON, March 21 The House me at 10 a.m. Replying to Mr McCombs, Mr Massey said Government have done everything in their power to keep down the rate of interest, but it was impossible to control the banks. If they attempted to do so then the people would not get any money at all. Replying to Mr Harris, Mr Massey said it was the intention of the Government to call up the balance of the six million loan later on, It had not been done sq far, because of the heavy obligations falling on the people in connection with the payment of income

tax, but those who had not contributed to the loan would be asked to do so at a, more opportune moment. Replying to Mr Mitchell. Hon Anderson said be did' not think anything would bo gained by appointing a commission to inquire into work on the

waterfronts of tile Dominion. He would inquire into tlie matter during the re- i cess, and make a recommendation to ] J the House next session. c Replying to Mr McCallum, Hon T). Stewart said as showing the process of amalgamation of local bodies going on in the Dominion, in 1900 there were i 201 road districts, in 1910 there were I 11(5, and to-day there were only Bd. Replying to Mr I sift, Hon D. Stewart 1 •aid the promise made by the Premier that no additional racing permits would 5 he granted- until Parliament had the i' opportunity of .considering the report of -

(lie Racing Commission would be kept. There would be no difficulty in doing that. Replying to Mr McCollum, Mr Massey said a committee of the House would be appointed next session to inquire into the. licensing laws, as bearing on the question of hotel accommodation. Replying to Mr Hamilton (Wallace), Hon Parr said lie was endeavouring to amend the arrangements under which nurses in public hospitals have to work on seven days a week. Replying to Mr Witty, the Premier said he agreed that there were too many stoppages in the ferry service between

the two Islands taking place. Pie would look- into the matter, and if any change for better 'could be made ke would he pleased to assist in bringing the change about. Replying to Mr Isitt, Hon. Anderson said he would look into the question of employment of barmaids in hotels with a view to ascertaining if the permits in use are genuine. Replying to Mr Jennings, Mr Massey said the question of providing a dredge for small harbours had not been lost sight of. Replying to Mr ,! o>n, M.r Massey said he did not know whether 11.M.5. Chatli-

I am could ho employed to continue the ( ferry service. He knew the Admiralty j rules were rather strict in matters of ■ this kind, hut he desired to say • the * present stoppage of the service could '• not he allowed to continue. Govern- : ment must intervene if the service was j not, soon resumed. I Replying to Air Hunan, Air Massey said H.AI.S. Chatham was the propev- ' tv of New Zealand, but she would he i a unit of th t , Pacific stpiadron which ■ the 15 17 tisli Government intended hi | plane in the Pacific. The question of i local naval defence was one of ttie 'questions coming up at the Imperial Conference, and while he would have : to exercise his own judgment • 11 questions of policy, he knew any ex- [ pert advice he might require would i he forthcoming. In reply to Air McCombs, Hon. j Afassev said the upkeep of the Chat- ! ham would cost the dominion a qdarter | of a million annually. Replying to Air Sullivan. Air Massey said lie would disclose to the Houston his return from tlq. Imperial Conferpnjee, as much lof the business transacted at the Conference as he was at liberty to disclose. Replying to Air Veitch, Air Massey said lie was not satisfied with the amount of work done bv the Imperial Shipping Board set up on his motion at the last Imperial Conference. He intended to look into the matter when

lit* readied 'London. ! Mr Massey in moving the second J reading of the Finance Bill said he j know there was a, financial stringency in the country, lmt it had not yet affected the finances of the Dominion, but at sometime it will take stock of the position. He quoted figures to show the accumulated surplus amounted to £17,539,000 interest from which total- j led £716,913. He quoted statistics to j show the. value of exports, for the past j eleven months amounted to £31,0/7,693 J part of which had been paid fo r under I the Imperial commandeer, but to his I mind the position was quite satisfactory. If the prices of our products fell, then the position was to be met by a reduction in expenditure, otherwise wo would get into financial difficulties. As to economics in the public service, 1 ho claimed considerable reductions had already been made and a commission had been appointed to go into questions ■

n ! of reductions and co-ordination of pub1' , lie service. The gentlemen appointed e j were public officers except one and '■ , could do the work better than an outj side commission, because they wore all ” j familiar with the working of the service " i He enumerated the economies already effected, an dsaid if necessary lie would 11 go further. He would not hesitate to begin with Ministers and Members. 1 They must begin at the top and he did not think highly p-iid officials in tho public service would object to do their share, when the reduction came. The House rose till 2.30 p.m. 1 .in iiTi.in n