PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1931, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

THE COUNCIL. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON. March 28. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 yesterday. Resuming the Address-in-Reply debate, Hon. T. Sidey said the Government had brought down its proposals with great reluctance. The crisis they were going through at present was worse than that of 192*2. He claimed that the real wages of the people would he the same as before.

After Sir J. Allen had briefly replied the Address-in-Reply was agreed to and the Council adjourned until Tuesday. THE HOUSE. The blouse of Representatives resumed at 2.30 p.m. The Prime Alinister moved to report progress, to enable the introduction of the Hawke’s Bay Earthquake Bill. This was agreed to, the House rising at 2.50 p.m. When it again met at 7.30, the Prime Alinister gave notice to move an amendment to the Standing Orders, byinserting a new standing order involving the principle of the closure. The Hawke’s Bay Earthquake Bill was introduced by Governor-General message.

Replying to Alt' Barnard. Mr Forbes said he proposed to take the second reading and subsequent stages of the Bill, when the Finance Bill had been disposed of. Mr Holland and other members oi tlio Labour Party took strong exception to this proposal and complained bitterly that Air Forbes was using the .Earthquake Bill as a lever lor putting tin* Finance Bill through.

Air Forbes said as it had been freelystated. the fate of the Government depended oil the Finance Bill. He would not he justified in securiiijr the' liassage of other legislation fill it had been dealt wiili.

Explaining the Bill, Afr Forbes said it dealt with the adjustment of the rights and liabilities with respect to mortgages on damaged property, eteete., the question of rehabilitation, and authority to make payments out of the million and a half fund was included ; also authority to make loans to Icc-al bodies.

There was a section dealing with the insurance tax. That aspect alone introduced an entirely new principle, and it was only right that the various views on the subject should he considered. The imposition of an insurable property tax was. proposed and there were other items such as authority for the State Advances .Superintendent to allow the usual rebate of interest where prompt payment of instalments had been prevented by the earthquake. Authority for transfer of moneys from the West Coast Earthquake Fund, extension of flic power of local authorities to borrow by way of overdraft, postponement of the elections of Mayor and Councillors for tho Boroughs of Napier and Hastings, the appointment of a special committee by Napier Borough Council; the audit o fl earthquake relief funds by the Audit Office and power to make regulations rendered necessary by the earthquake. The Bill was read a first time. Air F orbes moved that the notice of motion regarding a new Standing Order he tlip first older of business at next sitting day.

This was opposed by Labour members. A division resulted in the adoption of the motion by I!) to 24. Messrs Black. Fletcher, Wilkinson and Hogan voted with Labour. The House rose at 9.25 p.m. till 10 a.m. to-day. TO DAY'S SITTING. WELLINGTON, March 28, Tin* House oi ~ o ~iet at 10 a,m. Mr Samuel was granted leave of absence for the remainder of the session on account of illness. Urgency was accorded consideration of a motion relating to the closure and the passing of the Finance Bill. Labour members forced a division in each case. The Prime Minister then moved his amendment to the Standing Orders.