PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1928, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

(B.v Telegraph—Per Press Association.) AA T ELLINGTON, .July 19. THE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 to-day. The leader of the Council, Sir F. D. Bell, gave notice of intention to introduce the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill. Sir J. Sinclair gave notice that he intended to move that the question of the erection of a suitable memorial to the memory of Edward Gibbon AA’akefield and AA’illiam Hayward AA’akefield, be taken into consideration by the Government. Methodist Theological College Edson Trust Extension Bill was read a second time. A T nrious select committees for the session were set up and the Council adjourned at-2.47 p.m. until noxt AAcdnesday. THE HOUSE. In the House Sessional Committees were set up. Mr P. Fraser moved the second reading of Unemployed AA'orkcrs’ Bill, which the Government allowed to proceed, notwithstanding that, it contained clauses appropriating public money toward unemployed insurance hind. After a debate lasting till 1.10 a.m. the second reading was agreed to, and the House rose till 2.30 p.m.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. • The. constitution of the Board set up to control the proposed Arthurs Pass National Park formed tho basis of a question addressed to the Minister of Lands hv Mr T. E.' Y. Seddon, vlasked whether he would include representatives of Hokitika on the Boaicl. Hon. Mr McLeod replied that lie would be pleased to consider the matter.

, Mr Seddon also asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the position regarding a proposal to carry out growf,\rr of flax at La Fontaine in thrSouth Westlnnd district. Hon. 0- J Hawkeu stated that' experimental work would he commenced early in tho spring. Replying to a question by Mr Seddon ns to whether the privileges of interisland telephone communication would he extended to Hokitika the Postmas-ter-General Mr Nosworthy, said Hokitika was not on the list of exchanges which may communicate by telephone with the North Island, because, under tne conditions existing at the present time, the service that can he given is not sufficiently reliable. However, as soon as the carrier current” equipment now on order was installed between Christchurch and Wellington communication with the North Island would he considerably extended. In the meantime there was no objection to calls being made from Hokitika to stations within Grey mouth’s North Island range, providing the callers took the risk of speech being impracticable, and in such eases, agreed to pay the minimum rate for a three-minute conversation.