PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1927, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 12. THE HOUSE. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Leader of the Opposition gave notice of his intention to introduce the Crimes Amendment Bill. The following Government Bills were introduced and read a first' time:— .Marriage Amendment Bill, (Hon. Bollard) ; Bankruptcy Amendment Bill, (Hon. Rolleston); Savings Bank Amendment Bill. (Hon. Downie Stewart); Kgmont National Park Amendment Bill, (Hon. Af’Leod) ; War Disabilities Removal Bill, (Hon. Rolleston) ; Property Amendment Bill, (Hon. Rolleston). The following Bills were intrdouced by tho Governor’s message and read a first time:—Justice of the Peace Amendment Bill : War Funds Amendment Bill ; Dangerous Drugs Bill : Public Service Superannuation Bill. The first and last of these are purely consolidating measures. The debate on the Addiess-in-Reply was continued by .Messrs Waite, Soddon. Sykes. Bell. Girling, and IU AY. Smith The adjournment of the debate was moved by Mr .1. Linklnter and the House rose at 11.35 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. next day.

(By Telegraph.—Special to Guardian.) WELLINGTON, July 13. S] -pairing to She Address-inJßeniy Air Seddnn (Westland) said the question of the importation of foreign timber was important. Nothing had yet been done, although they had fair words from the Government. If the Advances, Railways and other Departments specified native timiters they would not hear so much about imported timbers which had been the cause of putting over 900 men out of work. The New Zealand timber milling industry was struggling hard against imported timbers. It was a matter for consideration If." the Forestry Department that over So per cent of 0.8. timber was wasted. Eighty per cent of imported timber came from the United States, which put up a high tariff wall against the Dominion's produce. At the present time most of our O.IL timber was being wasted on account of the importation of foreign timbers. West Coast mills were only producing 25 per cent- of their cutting capacity and five out of every six mills had to be closed. The problem was deserving of the earnest consideration of the Government. Tn 1923 over eleven million feet of timber valued at £179.000 were imported into the Dominion. In 192(5 this had increased to over 43,000.000 feet valued at over £500,000. He urged that ihe South Island was not receiving the same attention as the North Island. There were places in the South Island that were little known and required more publicity.