POLITICAL JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1927, Page 1

POLITICAL JOTTINGS

questions. In tbe House on Wednesday the Ministers gave the following answers to questions: That owing to seasonable decrease in railway traffic it is periodically found necessary to dispense with the services of -ingle men before putting off married men. In the ease of such men roently put off the men concerned were put off for a week, hut the Bailwav Board has given instructions that in view of their long service and short period ol' break in continuity of employment the time lost is to be treated as leave without pay. Privileges to which these men are in the ordinary course entiled will, therefore, not be affected by their temporary absence from work.

That it is not considered that tbe expense of sending delegates from New Zealand to tbe International Labour Conference at Geneva is at present warranted. 'Were it not for this consideration the Government would be glad to arrange for representation. That a committee will be set up dealing with the report of the Kural credits Commission (in so far as it was not dealt with last year) and the general question of rural finance will by this means come under review.

That tbe question of bringing tbe tax on debentures issued before 1923 into Hue with the maximum rate of Is fid has not so far been considered bv the Government.

That tbe Government is considering amending Section 18 of tire Heights and .Measures Act, 1925, in order to bring it into line witii the law of South Africa and England, so as to provide that where meat is exhibited for sale in a butcher's shop with a ticket showing, the price for the piece, such ticket should also show the weight in order that the purchaser may calculate how much per pound is being paid for the meat sold.

That there is no proposal before the Government to reduce teachers’ salaries and there has been no reduction in salaries of relieving teachers generally. That plans of the proposed Massey .Memorial are now practically completed and will he .submitted at an early date to a meeting of the special hoard •set, up for this purpose. That it is not the function of the Valuation Department to supply valuations for private borrowers and private lenders, and it is not intended To incur the large increase in expenditure which such an extension of its dlilies would necessitate.

XT) AM Eli l OA N BOB R (HYING. Up to the present Australian issues in the United States of America have demonstrated that borrowing there does not compare favourably with London conditions a.s to price and terms, stated the Minister of Finance in reply to Mr Sullivan’s suggestion that as be bad given an indication flint tbe London market was not friendly disposed to the raising of loans for State Advances purposes, he should consider tbe desirability of endeavouring to float a loan for tliis special purpose in America.

COUNTY ROAD SUBSIDIES. According to tbe [Minister of Public Works, tbe limit of subsidy to county councils from tbe Highways fund lias lieen reached. He states that formerly expenditure on main highways was met entirely by county councils, and because it bad then become a heavy charge upon the ratepayers, the Highways Act was passed, by which subsidies were paid at tbe rate of ton shillings for one pound. Later this was raised to £1 for £l. Last year the Main Highways Board was able, by utilsing accumulated funds, to increase. temporarily at: any rate, the rate of subsidy to 30s for £l. As this rate of subsidy involves the board in expenditure greater than its receipts from taxation of motor vehicles, it would appear, concluded the [Minister, that (minty councils are obtaining all the assistance they could reasonably expect.

LOCAL BODIES BANKING. To alter the present law, and allow local bodies to keep one bank account only for loan moneys and general revenue would involve n change in the fundamental principles governing local body finance, stated tbe Minister of Finance, in reply to Air D. .Tones. The Minister added that there is nothing at law to preclude a local body and its banker coming to an arrangement to set off credit balances in loan ac(minis against a debit balance in the general account when calculating interest oil overdraft. The purpose of the Post Office Savings Bank system, and its constitution, made it quite unsuitable for operating a cheque system. .1 EDGES AND PARLT.LATENT. The immunity which Judges of the Supreme (hurt enjoy from Parliamentary criticism was brought to notice in the House of Representatives on Wednesday when Air Speaker called tbe Hon Air Build o(Kainpoi) to order for trespassing on forbidden ground. Air Buddo was giving notice to call the attention of the AFinister lor Justice to penalties recently imposed by various Judges in fatal motor accidents, and was proceeding to enlarge mi the subject by mentioning a penalt;. of six months’ imprisonment which bad Itocn imposed on a man charged with false pretences. At this stage he was called to order. “It is a rule of this House.’ said Air Speaker, “that the decisions of the Judges of the Supreme Court must not he called in question.” Air Buddo commenced to explain his question when lie was again interrupted. “Order! Order!” called Air Speaker. “The honourable mendier has again mentioned a specific ease. He must not do that. The rule is perfectly clear. The action of a Judge may he referred to only when he has been guilty of such gross misconduct as to warrant both Houses presenting an address asking for his removal from the Bench."

ATr Buddo. however, was still msitent. but he bad spoken only about a dozen words when the Speaker told him that be bad better postpone asking his question until to-morrow, and that in tbe meantime tbe member could interview him (Air Speaker).