PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1930, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. WELLINGTON, July 25. Written Ministerial replies to questions were circulated in the House of Representatives this morning. The Prime Minister, replying to Mr W. E. Barnard . (Lab.., Napier),. said it was understood that the question of the Singapore Base would be considered at the forthcoming Imperial Conference. 1 The Hon. H. Atmore, in reply to Mr A. Hamilton (It., Wallace), stated that there would be no alteration in the electoral boundaries before the next General Election. : VV ; ■ : "■ DRIVERS’ LICENSE FEES. In his answer to a question submitted by Mr A. Harris (R., Waite- . mala), the Minister for Transport (the Hon. W. B. Taverner) said that, in the event of an y y alterations in motor vehicle taxation a proposal to impose an .annual levy upon all licensed drivers, to be earmarked as interest and sinking fund upon special loans to be raised for the purpose of providing safe... appliances at every dangerous railway crossing in the Dominion, would be considered. It would be only fair to invite the opinion of people affected by the proposal. RELIEF RATES OF PAY. Replying to Mr W. P. Poison (Ind., Stratford), the Hon. W: B. Taverner said that it was not proposed to make any alteration at present in the matter of rates of pay for married and single men on relief works. He added that' single men were only engaged after the needs of married men for employment had been satisfied, and then only for comparatively short periods. POLICE DEPARTMENT. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, replying to Mr G. O. Black (U., Motueka) said it was not proposed to investigate all cases; of dismissal and resignation in the,Police Force within the last twelve months ’under Section 9 of the Police Force Act as ; it was considered that no good purpose could now be served by doing so. Thb'Hon. J. G. Cobbe informed Mr H. S. : S. Kyle (R., Riccarton) that it was not the intention of the Police Department to depart from the m»i • mal number of promotions. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, replying to Mr T. W. McDonald (U., Wairarapa), said that it was not proposed to introduce the police box siystem. into New Zealand at present. Reports from England as to its efficiency there were somewhat contradictory. It had recently been decided to give the system if trial in Sydney, and more definite information as to its shit* ability to local conditions would, no doubt, he available shortly, when the matter would receive further consideration.

ROAD CONGRESS. In reply to Mr J. S. Fletcher (Ind., Grey Lynn), tli@ Hon. W. B. Taverner stated that the proposal to send the Highways Board engineer tc America had been approved by Cabinet, for the purpose of representing the Dominion at the sixth International Road Congress. The cost involved would be found out of the Main Highways Board funds. STRICTER TEST. The Hon, W. B. Taverner, in answer to Mr W. H. Field (R., Otaki), said that the question of bettering the system of granting motor-drivers’ licenses had received the attention of the Government, and proposals in hand for this purpose had been approved by the recent conference on traffic accidents. The proposals generally were on the lines of a stricter test and the sobriety and personal good character of the applicant. BANNED FILM. The Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle informed Mr C. Carr (Lab., Timaru) that the rejection of the film “All Quiet on the Western Front” by the censor had been upheld by the Appeal Board. Representations of a deputation of members of Parliament regarding the film were under consideration., RAILWAY MATTERS. The desirability of replacing longitudinal seats with chair seats in second class railway carriages had already had the consideration of the Department, stated the Hon. W. A. Veitch in reply to Mr F. Langstone (Lab., Waiimarino). A. programme for providing and fitting chair seats in second class cars had been adopted. Express trains and long-distance trains would be dealt with first. Replying to Mr G. C. Munns fßoskill), the Minister said that the provision of second class slpeeing carriages on the Main Trunk line could not be justified in view of the present financial position. In reply to questions from Mr Munns and Mr F. Lye (U., Waikato) regarding Garratt engines, the Minister stated that it was possible, after certain adjustments had been made, that these engines would b e capable of doing the work required of them. In the meantime it would be prema-

ture to say that they were giving satisfaction. The total cost of th« three’ engines placed in commission was £51,173. It was not proposed tc import further locomotives of this type. , dental clinics. ' The Hon. A. J. .Stallworthy, replying to Mr J. O’Brien (Lab., Westland), said that the school dental service had 'already been established in many country districts, and operations were being extended as rapidly as circumstances permitted. It was the policy of the Department to establish cli.nics in country;centres with sub-bases in neighbouring rural localities. Arrangements were made in such .eases with local committees for the transport of children to the nearest clinic. ' STATE ADVANCES.

V The Prime Minister replying to Mr H. G. R. Mason (Lab., Auckland Suburbs) said the State A da vances Funds could not be used for the wholesale modernisation of old houses. It would, however, be possible for the Advances Department to consider an application from the owner and the occupier of premises for a loan for the purpose of modernising the house provided the age of the building and its condition were such as would justify granting a short term loan and the security offered in all other respects was considered satisfactory. The’ Hon. E. A. Ransom, in reply to Mr TV. L. Martin (Lab., Raglan), said it had been decided that trees would not be supplied to the public from the State nurseries after the 1980 planting season, The decision was in accordance with the general policy qf the Government tp engage as ljttue as possible in business competition with private commercial interests, It considered ordinary business competition would be sufficient to prevent excessive prices being charged. If any exploitation of the public occurred the policy would he reviewed. Mr R. A. Wright (R., Wellington Suburbs) asked whether the State Advances Office had abandoned the policy of advancing to workers 95 per cent, of the value of. the land and building offered as security for a loan. Mr Forbes replied that the policy had not been abandoned. In . every case where, a valuation had been made and the security offered had been considered satisfactory, the full advance allowed by the Act had been authorised. PAYMENT OF A REWARD. Mr D. G. Sullivan (Lab., Avon) I asked what decision had been reached with reference to the payment of the £250 reward offered for information that would lead to the conviction of the persons responsible for the incendiary fires in Christchurch dast year. Mr Cobbe replied that the Police Department had . nothing to do with the payment of the reward, It was offered % the Council of the ‘Fire Underwriters’ Association of New Zealand, and the* State Fire Insurance Office“for Information supplied to the police," The only information given to the police was that supplied by offenders themselves, after ! being arrested on another charge, In reply to another question asked by Mr Sullivan, the Minister said no complaints or representations had been received 'by the Department from, members of the detective staff that they were working excessively long) hours. ANGORA WOOL. “The position in regard, to the Angora wool industry has not hitherto been such as to justify the Government encouraging its development,” said the Hon. A. J. Murdoch in reply to Mr W. E. Parry. Breeders in other countries had been unable to' dispose of their wool as a result of which large stocks had accumulated. Recently, however, a cablegram had been received from the High Commissioner indicating that a firm was now in the market for supplies, and this information had been passed on to those concerned.. The position was being closely watched, but a decision as to future policy could not Ibe reached until the position became stabilised. . .. ; RURAL CREDIT. Replying to Mr H. M. Rushworth (Country Party, Bay of Islands), the Prime Minister said his approval had been obtained for the first public issue of debentures by the Rural Intermediate Credits Board. The sum of £400,000 advanced from the Consolidated Fund in terms of the Act had been fully absorbed, and further funds were required in view of the steady expansion of the Board’s business. An issue of debentures to the total value of £IOO,OOO was accordingly now being made by the Board. The rates of interest payable were 4.} per cent, for a period of 12 months for denominations of £IOO, £250, and £SOO, and 5} per cent, for a period of five years for denominations of £IOO, £250, £SOO and £IOOO.

MEMORIAL TO SIR JOSEPH .WARD. Mr Forbes said a suggestion by Mr J. S. Fletcher that a rest home in Hauraki Gulf should immediately be erected and established as a memorial to the late Sir Joseph Ward would receive the consideration of the Govern me n,t. Replying to Mr P. Fraser (Lab., Wellington Central), the Hon. A. J. Stall worthy said that the object of the Christmas Seal had been voluntarily to raise funds for purposes for which

ordinary Government and Hospital Board funds were not available. It anticipated that ample funds would be available for the purpose from future appeals. The present financial situation precluded the granting of a subsidy as suggested. MILITARY TRAINING. In a lengthy reply to Mr McDonaild, Mr Cobbe outlined the changes in the system of military training in New Zealand. He said at the annual postings in June, 192,1, territorials who bad served efficiently for three years and had' reached the age of 21 years were posted to the reserve if they so desired. At tb e postings in the following year the age limit was further reduced to 21 years, with certain conditions as to length of service and efficiency. Since June, 1928, all territorial’s except non-commission-ed officers who agree to continue to serve have been transferred to tbe reserve in June of the year in which they reach the age of ,21 years. A reduction was effected in the strength of the Territorial Force in 1921-22 on account of the curtailment of the defence vote. Proposals for a revised scheme in connexion with the Defence Forces to keep within the authorised expenditure consequent upon, the reorganisation after tbe war were submitted to and agreed to by a joint Committee of both Houses of the Legislature, and a reduction of the trainir|? age to 22 was one of these proposals. The Government sanctioned this action. In 1922 the vote was again reduced, and it was found necessary to restrict the age to 21 years to keep within tbe annual amount authorised, To enable this to be done it was also found necessary to reduce the Territorial Force to the peace establishment by providing inter alia for the. transfer to reserve after four years’ efficient service, two of which could have been in the cadets,