PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1924, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

[by TELEGRAPH —PER I’BEtlS ASSOCIATION LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, An-. 21. The* Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. Alter a lengthy debate the Council rejected hv 17 to li, a motion that tive .Justices of the Peace Amendment lilil lie committed. The Council rose ;it o.2(l p.m. tili 2.30. TIIK MOUSE. DUTY ON SUGAII. WELLINGTON, An-. 21 The House met at 2.30 p.m. Practically the whole ol the afternoon and evening sittings were taken up with a discussion on the report of the Industries and Commerce Committee recommending a protective duty cii sugar in the interests of the Colonial Sutrar Refining Coy. At 11.30 p.m. a motion was carried imposing a duty of L'2 l*s Id per ton on all white sugar of grade No. 22, and ever. The necessary resolution to enable the Customs Department to nice effect to this decision was passed and the Mouse rose at 12.13 a.m. till 2.30 p.m. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Amen- the replies given by .Ministers to questions on the Order Paper were the following : That the Government is fully aware that negotiations have been in progress bet ween the Eederal Government oT Australia and lirilaiu regarding loan proposals lor 231,000,011(1 for land settlement and development schemes, but details are not yet available. At the present time it is not the intention of the New /calami Government to enter into a similar agreement under the Empire Settlement Act. That the subject of making the grading of cream compulsory has not been considered and discussed by the dairymen of New Zealand over a su.Tioienlly long period to enable them lo lie fully conversant with the proposal. The grading of cream is already extending very considerably on a voluntary basis, and il is probable that by next winter the question ol making cream grading compulsory will he lolly discussed by the dairy companies. Departmental olliccrs will take till possible steps during the coming season to as.-ist in still further raising the standard of quality of our dairy product s.

That it is the policy of the Government to meet its requirements in the matter of rolling stock hy having same constructed in its own workships, and by contract with private firms in New Zealand. It is only when it is not passible to meet requirements by consi ruction within the Dominion that the Department lias gone outside the Dominicii lor rolling stock. I here is no intention of departing I rom ibis policy. The programme at present in hand is sufficient to keep the Departments shop- fully employed. That finality ha- been .reached with r.'-peet to the lea-iug ol practically all the Samoan Crown Kstales, with the exception ol three large coconut plantations. As to the latter, tenders have been received. but unexpected difficulties have arisen, and tile policy lo be adopted with regard to them is under rei on-idemi ion.

That it i- considered impracticable 1,, publish an up-to-date roll of South African veterans.

That the que-tioii ol increasing this year Ibe (hivcrlitr.enl grant of I< >0 paid la-1 Vi-ar to the New Zeal.i.d Amateur Swimming A-'oeialion ;- receiving consideration. Thai tlm Covernniciit recognise- (be undesiraiblily of lh- publication "f judicial proceedings where indecent doings, medical, surgical, or physiological detail- are concerned, bill anv restriction of .publication iitu-t be careInllv limited.

That (here have heeu no reeeat negotiation.- between tlm New Zealand Government and Mr Spaldinger lor the supply of hi- preparations. The High Commissioner enquired into dir mattcr some time ago. and it was tounil i |,a! Ml- Spaldinger wa- not in a position to sitpoly any of bis preparation, and was not likely to be able to do so lor some lime to collie. Tbe ea-e lor til,. Soalliinger lreatnu-nt is by no mean- proved. Tlm opinion of the Department of Health is to lhe ellei I that the New Zealand Government -h-nild elo-elv walell tlm invi-tigaliolls carried out by the British Mini-try of Health, but should not make independent arrangements with Mr Spaldinrather allying itself with the Br!-t:-h (toveriuneut.