PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1931, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE.

(By Telegraph —Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 22

in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon the Leader ot the Opposition moved the adjournment of the House to enable a discussion on the necessity for the prosperity of the Dominion, for tanners to have assistance from the Government to enable them to apply their usual quantities of fertilisers to their farms. A number of members joined Mr Coates in emphasising the necessity for supplies of fertilizers being maintained.

Mr Murdoch replying, outlined tlie steps being taken by the Government to meet the situation. He said it was making a genuine, honest attempt to meet the needs of farmers and lie hoped the attempt would lie successful in the near future.

In the evening, Mr Forbes moved the second reading of the Finance Bill No. 2 and outlined that the Bill was on lines of his recent statement. He said it had been found necessary to economise in a number of services where there would have been no suggestion for economy under normal finnoial conditions.

ivfr Stewart agreed that Government were in such a position that it. bad to adopt every possible means oi reducing expenditure. He asked what system it was proposed to adopt in reference to bursaries, which were being substituted for scholarships.

Labour members criticised the Bill, protesting against a reduction of the maternity allowance in connection with the National Provident Fund, and against minimising the benefits of tlie Family allowance.

Mr Atmore explaining the nature ol the bursarie swhich are being .substituted for scholarships, said they would ho used to assist those members of necessitous families who would otherwise find it difficult, to afford to participate in secondary or higher education. It bad been found ns a result of the limit of funds, that non-com-petitive basis scholarships bad been defeated and it bad been possible to make awards only to those at the head Of examination lists, instead of to all those attaining a certain standard of qualification. The House adjourned at midnight.