YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 17 July 1929, Page 3

YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT

aDDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE STILL CONTINUING (By Telegraph) (From 'The Mail's" Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, IGth July. Contrary to expectations there still seems to lii« a good deal of life in the Address-in-Reply debate and appearances now are that it will continue for the greater prfii of this week. Resinning the discussion to-night Mr W. .1. P.roadfoot (Waitoino) advocated an intensified loading policy as a solution of unemployment. The position was accentuated by the lack of a land policy by the late Government, which had also lacked the desire to tackle the soldier settlement problem fairly and squarely. They must modernise their methods of settlement, and he thought the group settlement idea would do much good. More encouragement should be given to Maoris to take up land. The country's natural resources required to be fostered. Discussing tariff problems he said a conference of Empire lepresentatives should he called. Mr .1. A. Nash (Palmerston North) dealt largely with the l'aliuerston deviation and the South Island Main Trunk proposals and urged thai Royal Commissions be set up in each case lo decide on their merits and whether the Government's action was justified.

Mr .1. A. Maepherson (Oamarii) said there was urgent need for close settlement and he hoped the Government would put into practice its policy of purchasing land in close proximity to towns. Farmers were realising more and more that wheat duties were not benefiting them as had been anticipated, and unless some encouragement •as given to farmers by greater protection ihe railway revenue would continue to decline. ITc declared that a serious position was arising through engines being allowed to fall into disrepair fui account of the accelerated running policy. The House adjourned at 10.30 on the motion of Mr .1. G. Cobbo (Oroua).