PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1928, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

THE HOUSE.

WELLINGTON, July 20. In the House of Representatives, the Preferential Voting Bill (Mr .McCombs) was introduced and read a first time.

Samoan departmental report was discussed at length and laid on the table.

At the evening sitting, the Mental Defectives Amendment Bill was introduced by Hon. J. A. Young, but the debate was adjourned till to-morrow. The House rose at 11.20 p.m. till 2.30 p.m.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. WELLINGTON, July 18. The following answers were supplied to-day I)}’ Ministers in the House of Representatives in reply to questions asked by members during the previous week: — , That it is not intended to introduce legislation this session to provide pensions For those suffering from cancer, consumption, and other incurablo, or prolonged ailments.

That it is hoped an agreement will shortly he made which will remove the risk to those engaged in the handling of basic slag. That the Government- did not propose this session to increase tlio amount of the widow’s pensions, old ago pension, or family allowance. In connexion with the question of reciprocity with Australia in regard to Old Age pensions consideration is being given to representatives submitted by the Hon. Minister for Lands during his visit to Australia. The matter of reciprocity with Great Britain is in abeyance, pending the conclusion of negotiations with it. It was not proposed to increase the amount of income a widow might earn without a deduction being made from her pension. That the progress of the Bill introduced into tiie Imperial Parliament providing for a fixed day for Easter is being officially noted. The question of introducing legislation will be considered if the Bill at present before the Imperial Parliament becomes law.

That the question of reducing th 3 number of members of the Dairy Produce Export Control Board lias not been considered, because it lias not been asked for by responsible organisations of tlio industry.

That it is not proposed, at the present time, to set up a Commission to enquire into the causes of the numerous motor accidents. It is considered that if nil motorists would comply with the regulations laid down for their guidance, accidents would be very few. if any.

That the,administration of the Rural Intermediate Credit Act, of 1927, has been entrusted to a Central Board, an 1 sixteen District Boards, on all of which the farming industry is fully and cap ably represented, and these Boards can be relied 011 to see that every possible assistance is given to applicants, consistent with the maintenance of the scheme in a satisfactory position.

That if tlio Customs tariff is amended this session, the question of imposing a duty on cocksfoot seed will re coivo careful consideration. That tlio reduction in the railway froight on the carriage of fertilisers during last year cost £106,538. The concession is expected to cost the Gov erimient £150,000 during this year. This must ho acknowledged to be a. big concession in tlio gross price of manures to farmers, nearly all of whom use the railways for the carriage of their supplies of fertilisers. That it is not proposed to nationalise the hospitals, nor is it proposed to provido hospital finance entirely from the Consolidated Fund.' That the motor vehicles regulations do not specifically prohibit a one-armed person from driving a motor vehicle, nor are any of the various requirements of tlio regulations (made with a view to the safety of the public and tlio driver himself) impossible of performance by a one-armed driver, provided he is fitted with a suitable artificial arm.

That it is proposed this session to relieve the farmer who is not a contractor from the payment of taxation on his tractor if he employs it to assist his neighbours.