PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1923, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

’ is SILENCE GOLDEN ? ‘•jf the lion member would speak only cm those subjects about winch ho Uncuts something l.e would make fewer mistakes.” said the Hon. G. J. Anderson. Minister cf Mines, referring to Mr Smith (Taranaki). lJv tv a v of* countering this attack on nis colleague. Air Atmore remarked that if that rule were applied generally it would keep a number of the Ministers silent. That, he thought would he unfortunate. Tor if members of the Cabinet- did not add to the wisdom of the Hov.-e they sometimes added to it- humour. LABOUR MEN AND SAMOA. Very outspoken remarks about labour conditions in Samoa have been made by members c.t the Labour Party both inside and outside Pailiameut. but Mr Biirtram (Grey Lynn) confided to Lis fellow members in the House that they would run some risks it the same sen t 'of language was used by them in Samoa. "\Ye ought on these benches,” he said, “to agitate for another Parliamentary visit to Samoa. I have been told that if vo went and attempted to make the same speeches down : there as we make in this House wo should hear all about it to our disadvantage." Sir Maui Poninre : A\ ho told you that;

Mr Bartrani: A very high official in connection with Samoa. I don t feel disposed to give that gentleman en-

sion which occurred the other evening, tirely away, but it was -iter a discus-

OUR NATURAL assets

Tlio finances of the Tourist and Health Resorts Department for the past year are disclosed in the annual report which was laid on the table of the House, The direct revenue nas decreased by some .910,000, but this is met by a decrease in expenditure of over £27,000. The total revenue for the year was £-10.246 as against £50,822. while the expenditure was £59,047 as against £86,914 in tbe previous year. Beth ievcnue and expenditure, of course, were aifeeted by leasing The Hermitage in the Southern Alps, from October last. Tourist trafficfrom Australia is reported to have been detrimentally affected by the undue prominence given in the Press there to the earthquakes in the vicinity c.f Taupo. Reports of these quakes were greatly magnified ami many intending visitors to New Zealand were stopped l rein coming as a result. Jhe general election is also said to be responsible for the reduction in business, as it took place during the busy season of the department. A more expansive policy regarding popularising tbe Dominion spas is urged, also judicious advertising, better travelling facilities for invalids and a. general policy of keeping up with the times as essentials in bringing before the world the great natural assets of New Zealand.

PESTS OF SAMOA. A reassuring statement, is made in the annual report ol the Samoan administration that the rhinoceros beetle is (completely .under control. Tim work of beetle destruction lias been carried oil with utidimiiiished vigour, and there are now whole districts in which very little trace of that former pest can be seen. Tbe Samoans now search at- their own convenience, bringing in their weekly quota, which is fixed according to conditions in the particular localities and the pest has been alni':l"t reduced lit vanishing point in .some a teas. Unl'ortim-tely. Samoa having rid itself of the beetle, which a lew vetifs ago was thought to threaten the plantations with destruction, now faces the Hying fox pest. Inis formidable nuisance, says the report, so destrictivo to the fruit crop, especially mangoes, shows no sign of abatement in Australia, where its ravages are very prou-.aimcd. Experiments have been made w lib liquid lire anil mustard gas, but these dangerous expedients gave u-> adequate result. For the present the- Samoan adinuiLl: ation relies on shooting, issue of ammunition being made in exchange for a certain number of Hying fox feet. This method ha, achieved lair success, and is being (ontinued.