PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1922, Page 1

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

Amongst others, Ministers gave the following answers to questions:— That the law docs not permit of remission of stamp duty in respect to dissolution of partnership between soldiers who acquired land under the provisions of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act.

That the Government has already made special provision to meet unemployment during the current years, and is maintaining its public works at tho highest possible standard in order to keep a s many men as possible employed. It will not be possible to provide further funds in connection with this matter.

That the Committee will carefully consider a proposal that war pensions bo excluded from taxable incomes under the Land and Income Tax Act. That the Government is at present going into the matter of appointment of an expert officer with a good knowledge of both London and New Zealand business methods as inspector of New Zealand dairy products in the United Kingdom. Hi s duties will he to report on the quality and condition of this produce.

That there is no intention to amend the Pensions Act this sessions. Pensions for the blind will he considered when tho finances of the Dominion permit. That it is realised it is desirable that there should be uniformity in dealing with motor traffic, and the (Motor Bill introduced last session contained full power to make regulations dealing with motor traffic, which regulations would, when made, be general and apply to all local bodies. That it was not proposed to reduce the duty on sporting goods, as it is highly improbable that any sportsmen will curtail their purchases on account of the duties in force at present, or that a reduction of those duties would result in such largely increased purchases that more revenue would result.,

That it is not proposed to amend the Land Agents Act to provide that fees under that Act should l>e paid t,o hospital hoards a s previously. That legislation will be introduced during the present session providing for exemption from amusement tax on the price of admission to agricultural and pastoral association’s shows, both as regards members’ tickets and the ordinary charge made for admission. It. is not proposed to exempt public entertainments, which are overloaded with payment of fee to performers mid other assistants. That occupiers of houses built by the State have been granted most most generous terms, and no nlteiations in rentals are proposed. That the Government is prepared to continue to assist local bodies to arrange loans required to meet their antecedent liabilities by granting them permission to raise loans at a reasonable rate of interest.. That price s of commodities in New Zealand as compared with those in other countries are not excessive when costs of production and distribution are taken into consideration. Tf coinplaint is made of items for which it is considered unreasonably high prices are charged, tho complaint will be investigated and effective action taken if the result warrants it. ’Hint instructions have already been riven to inspectors to pay special attention to tho installation of first an. appliances in factories and sawmills, an dt osec that tho regulations in tins respect are complied with. Thn.t the question of removal or statutory preference ot unionists will have consideration this session. That a general revision of existing valuation rolls will be made when market prices of agricultural and pastoral products have boon stabilised, so ns to form a. more or less reliable basis for the ascertainment of land values. Under existing conditions it would be impossible to make satisfactory revaluations. That the Government is advised that, the Now Zealand Mont Producers’ Board is engaged in negotiations which will have the effect of stimulating the demand for New Zealand meat, in Canada and the United States of America. That it is intended to provide a car for ladies only on express trains as soon as suitable rolling stock is available. That the question of dealing with blackberry in the best practicable manner is being gone into, and in this connection the framing of amending legislation i s under consideration. That merchants arc free to import sugar without restriction. That it is premature to express an opinion as to whether or not big iron produced by the Onakakn. Iron and Steel Company can he sold in the Dominion at a price equal to the cost of imported iron of similar quality.

Tn the Supreme Court, Christchurch on Tuesday, Mr Justice Adams allowed an appeal by .Mrs Dunshen, maternity nurse, against a decision by .Mr McCarthy, S.M. in a ease in which F. D. Kcsteven, moneylender, sued her for the sum of 11155 on three promissory notes, which an agent named Black had induced her to sign. When the case was heard in the Magistrate's Court it was shown that Black had sold a section belonging to Mrs Dunshea. He paid the purchase money by instalments, and on receiving eacli instalment- she signed a form which Black alleged was a receipt, but it was a promissory note, the promissory notes being passed on by Black to Kesteven for a valuable consideration. The magistrate held that Black had procured Mrs Dunshca’s signature fraudulently, hut that Kesteven was .a holder in du? course of the notes, and gave judgment for the sum claimed by Kesteven.