N.Z. PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1932, Page 5

N.Z. PARLIAMENT

yesterday s work

MANY BILLS INTRODUCED.

[Per Press Association Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, December 7. In the Legislative Council yesterday, the Urban Farm Land (Hating Bin, and Municipal Association Bui were put througu the remaining stages'and passed.

T lie Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill was read a second time. In the House of Representatives the Fire Brigades’ Amendment Bill, Cook Islands Amendment Bill, and Native Land Amendment Bill were put through the remaining stages and passed. The short title of the Municipal Corporations Bill was passed in Committee whereupon progress was reported, Hon. A, Hamilton stating he would postpone consideration of the remainder of the Bill until later.

New Zealand Loans Bill, Waitangi National Trust Board Bill, Reformatory Institutions Amendment; Bill and Property Law Agreement Bill were introduced by Governor-General’s message, and read a first time. Hon. Downie Stewart said the New Zealand Loans Bill was substantially a consolidating measure, designed to bring up to date the law relating to loans. It would effect considerable economies in respect to loan expenditure.

Replying to M3r Falser, Honi D. Stewart said no New Zealand loans were due for conversion at t h present time. One was due in Lon don in 1934. This was a five millions loan which New Zealand had the option of converting, and which he had discussed in London. It had to be remembered that there were other applicants, whose cases had been given precedence, because they were more urgent. The question of converting the New Zealand loan was now under consideration.

Continuing, the Minister said there was an internal loan due in January next and the question of converting this was ' being considered. Explaining the Reformatory Institutions Amendment Bill, Hon. Cobbe said it- enable the Justice Department to collect fees from such people at Rotoroa and Pakatoa as were in a position to pay-. He pointed out that the Department had to pay' the Salvation Army £1 per week for the upkeep of each inmate, and there was at the present time an annual loss of £I7OO on the institutions • (Explaining the Property Law Amendment Bill, Hon. D. Stewart said its purpose was to enable a mortgagee who was entitled to exercise, the power of sale, to become the purchaser at a reasonable price, and to lease the property. The Bill was hosed on ‘ the provisions of the English Act-, which had been in force fSr 50 years. The House rose at 10.40 p.m.

PREMIER AND HIGH EXCHANGE

.WELLINGTON, December 6.

Mr Forbes- .stated to-day that the Government has given any consideration to the question of calling the Economists’ Committee together again. The Committee, he said, after its meetings early in the year, gave an answer in the direction of a high pegged exchange, but Tibs course was pot suitable to the banks. Unless the economists could agree on some other remedy, than high exchange it would be little use in summoning them.

STATE EMPLOYEES’ SALARIES

WELLINGTON, Decemeber t

Tn reply to a question, Mr Forbes stated this afternoon tha f th e> Government have-not given any consideration to the question of making further reductions in the salaries of the State employees. -