PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1922, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

[»v ftLEORAPH-—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, February 3. ' THE HOUSE, j The House met at ll o’clock.. Replying to Mr Malcolm, Mr Massey said the rebate on the Land Tax had been such an undoubted success in bringing in revenue that ho was disposed to think County Councils would find the practice equally advantageous bint necessary legislation could not be passed this session. The House then went into Committee of Supply to consider the Railway Sstimates, the total vote being £6,490,000. Mr Reed complained that the head 1 office would not answer correspondence and when replies were sent, they always dodged the issue. As a remedy lio suggested the superannuation of all officers who had forty years service. Mr Sklcy wanted to know why it was necessary to make such large importations of rolling stock. He considor;d much of it would be built in the | Dominion. j Mr Forbes contended that more iri•oiivenienco than economy resulted rom the railway cut in the South stand. Tiie out was made uniform ne.spective of local conditions. He urgd tiie General Manager should visit lie south and study local conditions ■efore the next cut was made: Mr Field urged ah official should be

appointed whose duty it would be to discover and encourage revenue producing business. A commercial agent was a necessary addition to the railway staff. Some policy should also be devised, to recover for the railways, much of the traffic that now was being carried by motors; COnHseSPONOf w () c WASTE LANDS. (To the Editor). Sir.—l was very plea-seii to see that they are'beginning to beautify the good old town of Hokitika. There is a great improvement in it td years gone bv, When' the train is running through the tunnel in the hill, Hokitika, will then be the centre of attraction, and other

places also, out i mink it is niiout time some improvement, was made in that stretch of land between the town boundary amd the Knnieri, as far as MiMain’s beautiful residence. At any rate, there is nothing but gorse on each side of the road, for over two miles, and land that is good and could be easily drained, and would grow splendid grass for both cattle and sheep, and do also for nice residences all the way to Hokitika. I don’t-know who the land belongs to, but they should be made to improve it, or the Government should tax them up to the hilt, or else take it from them altogether. It is a pity to se© such good land going to waste. Thev talk about going down South Westland for farms. Why we have them right at our back, door, and they should\ be given to some of our returned soldiers, who I am sure, would be only too glad to have them. T am etc., W. A. COMPORT. Rimu, Feb. 3rd. 1922.