PARLIAMENTARY.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1927, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

MINISTERS’ REPLIES. WELLINGTON. July 20.

The following replies to questions Mere made by Ministers in the House of Representatives to-day:

That the matter of amending the Rating Act in the direction of providing that all property occupied and used by the Royal Society for the protection of Women and Children in connection uitli l’lunket work .shall bo exempt from local body rating will be token into consideration when any amendments to the Rating Act are in contemplation. The Government have under consideration proposals with the object of facilitating farmers’ finance and a state incut of the Government’s intentions will he made to the house in duo

That the Government considers that what is being done by the State and local bodies should suffice to meet the present unemployment difficulties. That the question of introuciiig legislation this session to impose a tax on petrol, to meet the cost of upkeep of roads, has not yet been considered by the Government. That it will be impossible to grant any salary increases to head teachers during this financial year. That is not considered necessary to appoint ail assistant Public Servitc commissioner at present. That a Parliamentary Committee will be set up to consider the Royal Commission’s report on rural finance as soon as certain proposals now in the. course of preparation have been completed. That opportunity of .considering the question of taking a referendum on the licensing question in the King Country will arise on the introduction of the Licensing Bill. That it is not proposed to amend tlio existing hind law in the direction of giving Crown tenants larger representation on the Land Boards. That the Government will gito a subsidy of £1 for £1 iij> to £SOO to the Giil Guide movement. That it is considered that the present is an inopportune time to consider making any increase in the amount of “unauthorised” expenditure allowed to local bodies. IN THE HU USE-. a charge withdrawn. A complete withdrawal of his suggestion that the Prime Minister bad cut a Hansard proof was made by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr H. E. Holland, in the House yesterday. Being giving leave to make a personal explanation. Mr Holland said : “T want to undo an injustice which T am afraid I did to the Prime Minister yesterday while T was speaking on the Samoan reports. T referred to an interjection which was made while T was speaking on June 28th, and which I attributed to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister denied that the interjection was his and I declared that it appeared against his name in the Hansard proof. Tn the cross talk which took place I suggested that the Prime Minister may have cut his Hansard. “I have found that what the Prime Minister said yesterday is correct, and that T had unwittingly confused one Hansard report with another,” Mr Holland continued. “T want to express my regret to the Prime Minister at having done him an injustice.” Mr Holland’s explanation was Well received by the House, while he was tendered the thanks of Air Coates for his explanation and for having cleared up the matter.