PETROL ALLOWANCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 261, 2 October 1940, Page 9

PETROL ALLOWANCE

PETITION TO HOUSE. MENTION OF PROPAGANDA. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 1. • After a month’s recess the House met again at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The immediate increase in the monthly allowance of petrol of at least seven million gallons to all who use motor transportation was sought in a petition by 1017 motor mechanics and others engaged in the motor industry, all of Christchurch, presented by Mr S. G. Holland who asked that the petition be read in the House. This was agreed to, hut the Clerk of the House had not proceeded far when the Prime Minister (lit. Hon. P. Fraser) objected, suggesting that as the petition contained propaganda it was outs.de the

scope of a petition. The Speaker agreed that it would be advisable to discontinue the reading and Mr Holland agreed to this course. The petition pointed out that loss of employment resulted from the restrictions and expressed the opinion that the present severe restrictions would have the effect of spreading unemployment fur beyond- tho bounds of then own trade. The Speaker later announced that the petition would be received bv the House. CHEESE AND BUTTER.

A number of urgent questions were asked Ministers by members of the Opposition during the afternoon. Replying to a question by Air if. \V. Doiclge vvfio preferred to the Ordei-m-Council providing for the transfer or - dairy produce from cream factories to cheese factories, the Minister of Agnculturc (Hon. W. Leo Martin) said the | Minister of Marketing (Hon W. Hash) , had already pointed out that if at tiie end of a given period a supplier changing over iiad not reasonably recovered the value expended on dairy equipment the Government would be willing to I take the equipment ho had at its assessed residential value. No cases, said Mr' Lee Martin, had been reported of sharemilkers walking off farms rather than submit to the changeover, and he intimated tna t farmers who were able to prove that labour was unavailable would be considered eligible lor exemption. Provision also existed for granting exemptions from the operation of the onlei dealing with the disposal of dairy herds. Exemption was also provided for in cases of hardship. ’ I Replying to another question on the same subject by Mr H. S. S. Kyle, Mr Lee Martin said he knew of no creamery which had been converted into a cheese factory in order to increase the production of cheese, but certain cream j suppliers who, it was considered, could change from cream to milk delivery without undue hardship had been ordered to deliver milk to a cheese factory. If a supplier considered there

was hardship lie could appeal, and in some cases appeals had been granted. ORDERS-IN-COUNCIL. Mr Doidge, in another urgent question, asked whether the Prime Minister would agree to setting apart a day during the present session for a debate on the many vital changes in the country’s laws which had been made by Ordor-in-Council, and of which Parliament had no knowledge until they were in operation. In Britain, said Mr Doidge, the Commons had refused no emergency power that the Govern- j ment had asked for' and was 1 justified. The House, however, had never forgotten the duty of constant vigiliance by which the nation’s liberties were guarded. Mr Fraser said he was quite sure Mr Doidge did not intend to convey by j comparison that the House was neglecting its duty in looking after the interests of the people and safeguarding their liberties with great vigilance. He would be very pleased to consult the j general wishes of the House in regard to a discussion on any matters arising out of the regulations, or any other subject, particularly as the usual opportunity provided in the Address-in-Reply debate had been curtailed this session. ■

RURAL HOUSING LOANS.

Replying to an urgent question by Mr W. J. Poison, the Minister of Housing (Hon. H. T. Armstrong) said county councils were empowered under the Counties Act to raise loans for the purchases of land and the erection on it of dwellings for .workers of any kind. The State Advances Corporation had considered and was considering applications for finance for these purposes.

In reply to another question by Mr W. S'. Goosman concerning advances to farmers for increasing production, Mr Armstrong said the State Advances Corporation had received applications from various parts of the Dominion and these were being dealt with by local organisations established for the purpose. DECEASED LEGISLATORS.

An expression of appreciation of his great services to the Dominion and sincere sympathy with liis relatives was voiced, by the House in connection with the death of Mr A. E. Jull (Nat., Waipawa). \ Moving that a resolution expressing these sentiments he sent to the relatives, Air Fraser traced Air Jull's wide career of service and said his sudden death had come as a shock to every member of the House. He had been a prominent figure in the local body and national life of the Dominion. He had been a keen debater and an incisive speaker with a sense of humour which proved invaluable. In politics he had never allowed anyone to be in doubt as to where he stood, and as a political controversialist he was eminently satisfactory. He had been held in the highest respect both in business and social circles. It was not only his geniality which caused him to be loved by those with whom lie came in contact, but also liis great kindness of heart, especially to those in distress, and his really generous hand was held out to those who needed help. Alembers would regard his loss as personal as well as political. Hon. A. Hamilton (Leader of the Opposition), seconding the motion, said they all realised the sense of loss sustained in Air Jull’s death. He could claim a record of service to HaWlcc’s Bay which could be held by few men. He had served his country and province to the fullest extent and m a worthy manner. Although many might not have agreed with what he said they all enjoyed the manner in which he said it, and they would all have pleasant memories of his sojourn in the House. Others who paid tributes to Air Jull were Sir Alfred Hansom, the Minister of Labour (Hon. P. 0. Webb), Alessrs W. J. Poison, E. L. Cullen, E. T. Tirikatene, W. J. Broadfoot, and the Speaker (Hon. W. E. Barnard). The motion was carried. A similar motion was also carried in connection with the death of .Mr John Anstey,. a former member of the Legislative Council and also a member of Parliament. Air Fraser, moving the motion of appreciation and condolence, said Air Anstey had been a member of the Legislative Council from 1907 for seven

years, when he won the AVaitaki seat in the House and represented that constituency until 1919. He had been a most determined exponent of the views of his party, said the Prime Alinister, and he had spoken from a wide experience. He had never hesitated to express appreciation of hard manual work and personally, said Air Fraser, his recollection of Air Anstey had been a most pleasant one. He deeply regretted the passing of a man who had given of his best in upbuilding this country. Hon. A. Hamilton, in seconding the motion, also paid tribute to Air Anstey who, he said, had been a great Englishman, for he had been born in Devon; but lie had also been one ol the Dominion’s foundation citizens. Alessrs Forbes, Webb, Clyde Carr, Kidd, and Burnett also paid tributes to Air Anstey. The House adjourned at 4.8 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow as a mark of respect to Alessrs Jull and Anstey.