PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1922, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

[by TELEQBAPH —PEE PEESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Aug 11. THE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Lands Committee recommended that the Surveyors Institute and Board of Examiners Bill should be allowed to pass without amendment. Naval Defence Amendment Bill and Land Drainage Amendment Bill were read a. first time. Council rose at 2.35 p.m. • THE HOUSE. The House met at 2.30 p.m. In the House the Minister of Railways made a statement showing for the four weekly period ended .Tune 24th. last, the loss on working railways was at the rate of £2160 per day, compared with £4,700 daily in August last year. At the evening sitting an anicnefrnent to the Shipping Act, 190 S was introduced by Governor’s message. Rotorua Borough Bill was read a third time and passed, as was also the Land Tax (annual) Bill. Mr Guthrie moved the second reading of tlie Swamp Drainage Amendment Drainage Amendment Bill, which was agreed to without debate. The House rose at 8.30 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. ■WELLINGTON, August 9. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, Ministers gave the following replied to questions that had appeared on th c Order Paper: That there is no provision in the Land and Income Tax Act by whioh subscriptions to unemployment funds are not liable to amusements tax. Where it is proposed to give the proceeds of an entertainment to the unemployment fund, application should be made to the Commissioner of Stamp Duties for exemption. That it is not altogether advisable to prevent local bodies using tli» local money market in which to raise loans. Thc advantage of borrowing abroad when the terms are favourable is well recognised by local bodies several of whom have already raised large sums both m London and in Australia. That as a matter of general policy it has for many years past been the practice of the Railway Department to oflt'r encouragement to local industries by classifying articles manufactured in Now Zealand at a lower rate than imported goods of the same class. That the Government has no intention af repealing the Board of Trade Act. That proposals to link up with Australia by direct wireless have been referred to Cabinet, along with proposals with reference to communication with the world at large. Much data, both technical and commercial, has been collected. and the Government anticipate making known their views' before long. That the question of distributing licenses to policy-holders in the State Fire Insurance Office is now receiving careful consideration. Thar the salary of the principal for the largest type of junior high school is fixed at £650 to £7OO, with house allowance. This is only £SO per annum more than may he received by the headmaster in the largest primary schools, and it is £l5O per annum loss than would he paid to the principal of a secondary school of the same siz)p. The salaries of assistants were calculated on the principle that there should he at least one stage of promotion, viz., about £4O per annum higher than would lie received by assistants who would he teaching the same pupils if they wore in a primary school. That the Government is entirely in accord with the proposal to form a New Zealand National Rifle Association on the same lines as the National Rifle Association in the United Kingdom. The Department will ho pleased to cooperate with the .committee, and will place at its disposal its musketry experts to advise and frame conditions on the lines of those adopted in England by the National Rifle Association.