PARLIAMENTARY.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1924, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[liY TELEGRAPH —I’ER PRESS ASSOCIATION - .] AY ELLINGTON, November 5. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 11 o’clock. Mr Massey replying to Air Isitt said though the circumstances were scarcely favourable at the moment no opportunity would he lost of impressing on the new Imperial Government New Zealand’s view its to the .necessity of Singapore naval base. Replying to Air Fraser, Hon Parr said a constable recently visited Ratana native settlement, for the purpose

of inqiiiring into some banking system which was being inaugurated there. Ho made a report to the Department who had been advised that unless the

money "'ns received by the promoters of the bank under false pretences, aio action could be taken. Any person might place money on deposit "ith another person, so long as no decep-

tiou took place. Replying to Mr Holland, Sir Maui l’oniare said lie liad heen advised that no women prisoners at Niue Islam were employed nt roadimikints* * () women in prison had to work harder than if she were free. Mr Massey then formally moved the second reading of the Finance Bill. Mr AYilford complained that under the ),ill certain monies provided under the lliley scheme, were being diverted and the rate of interest was being raised from -U to 51 per cent., which together with the sinking fund would constitute a heavy import on the people if spread over a long period ol years. Mr AYilford pointed out that power was given to issue an Order-m-Council to impose on gas companies a levy of Ids per million feet sold during the previous year and he wanted to" know what the effect of this impost was going to have on household-

crs using gns. Continuing his criticism oi the Finance Bill. Mr Milford regretted the absence of anv provision to give relief to countrv racing clubs. If the Premier desired to kill many of the racing clubs who had to pay taxation on their-losses, lie could adopt no better course than let this bill pass. vj r Wilford also commented on the

proposal to increase the State’s shareholding in the llaulc of New Zealand. This might ho advantageous to the State hut would he had for the country, for it was not good that the hanks should 1 pay big divdends and charge high rates for overdrafts. He also thought the Alinister of Justice had not gone far enough into tho matter of providing superannuation for Stipendiary Magistrates. Air H. Holland thought that the military camps for the youths should be abolished, because they did no good; but if the hoys were compelled to go into these camps provision should lie made to assure them the payment of their wages while tilery Air Holland referred to several other matters, but did not propose to criticise flic Bill in detail as the session had been barren enough and lie had no wish to prolong it. Air AA’. I). T.ysnar (Gisborne) returned to his charge that the Government was in League with the trusts and combines in connection with the freezing industry. They had been wasting time for 41 months. The whole fight had been to prevent important legislation going on the statute hook to protect .the weak against tiie strong. The Hon McLeod (Alinister of Lands) said the only way to settle this matter was to seti up a commission to go into the whole question. The Government had done nothing of which they had any reason to he ashamed of. and were prepared to put all their cards on tho tables. Air J. K. Sidey (Dunedin (south) said the chief feature of the Bill was that it was another borrowing hill. On the Public AYorks Estimates they voted eight millions and now they were asked to increase this amount by two millions, which was pretty good going for a non-borrowing Government. Tho House adjourned for lunch at one o’clock.