PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1921, Page 1

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

SCKCIAL TO OCAUUUN. SOI.DII'.'RS SKTTI.KMKNTS. WIOI.UNOTON, Nov. 22 Tin- Soldiers Settlement svlieino "ns discussed loi nn lumr in tlio House today. Tiio Minister lot l.nnds moved to present tlie report on soldiers settlement, mid Opposition members asked tor information regarding tlie losses that had been madd by the (iovernmem on the scheme. They refused to accept the statement made by -Mr Outline the other week, that the loss on transactions totalling C2l ,()(H),01K) had amounted merely to CBI,OOO. I key were sure that Government had made had purchases of laud, that many of the soldier settlers weie unable to meet their liabilities and that the loss . to he found by the Dominion was substantial. The House ought to lie told the truth about the |sisition. Members talked so long that the Minister got no opportunity to speak at all, and his motion was talked out. so that the report did not reaeli the House The Minister indicated, lit mtci action, that he did not admit the heavy losses that were suggested. Mr Newman M.mawatu) pointed ...it that the Government could not possibly estimate tin.' litianciu-l results o! the scheme at the present stage while the prices of land and prices of produce were fluctuating. When the position was established it would he possible to re vs Iti w the la ml and strike a bit la nee between the Government and the settlers, but in the meantime the estimate of loss would lie mere guesswork. WOOL SAI.KS OI'KSTION. A cablegram from Sydney rejxirtiiig that the wool sale had been resumed under the old conditions was mentioned in the House. The Prime Minister said lie was sorry to report that no settlement had been teaeb.ed here. Negotiations were proceeding and the indications were that a settlement would |,c rosebud within a few days. He had been very glad to notice that the dillienlty had been adjusted in Australia. If a settlement could lie reached • 'etc. it ~light p. be possible in New Zealand, lie understood that the difficulty was bhi-lind. ,a I her ih.in in New Zen land, and until the pait.es behind Ibe s , ones agreed,, he did not s-e how a ■ot t lenient could he a; ranged here, but 1,0 had reason to believe that the people interested in the wind trade in Britain one ansilius that -ales should be resumed CAHKU'.SS MOTMIS OP I V KIP'. Mr Mas-ey -aid in answer to a question that lie had m-t ie. ! v. iih n < 1 that the to had hvcil a great oeal ot carelessness on the pan "f msn.\ drivers. It seemed that the only remedy was to make the penalties boa vie, and with t ' :• t oh. eel in view . 1.0 would consult with his colleagues liol ere the session came to an end. Not long ago the driver of a car had sun over a child and had gone on up :- out taking the verv -lightest notice. The Ministei in Charge of the Bolue Department had recommended t.n ■ rouard should be oll'er d t r the conviction of the driver, but rids had not been necessary. "1 qtti e ag «•," Prime Minister concluded. ' th:s hing has gut to tie put dnv. u and p t