MORT GAGE RELIEF

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 390, 26 November 1932, Page 5

MORT GAGE RELIEF

("Post" Special Commissioner).

BIL1L PASSES HOUSE PARTY BICKERING LARGELY SHELVED IN DEBATE NEW HOSPITALS BILL

Wellington, Friday. Althoulgh lappr iciable, yesterday's achievement by the House in passing' the Natioiial Expenditure Amendme-d Bill aud in makihg coiisiderable progress on the Mortgagors' and Tenants Further Relief Bill, was not spectacular. Members spent the day discussing legal and financial technicalities, party differences, for the most part, being overlooked in the general search for means to assist those finding it difficult to meet their ohligations during the present trouhlesome period. It was clear from the disinelination to siwak on specifie clauses, that no one seriously disagreed with tlie additional emergem-y legislatlfcn which is being passed by the Governme to remove anomalies in earlier acts and extend the provisions for assistance already granted. Certain members were not satisfied that the removal of the partial exemption of ground rents from the eompulsory reductions enforced under the National Expenditure Ad' .tment Act would not act detrimentally against local ^odies which were 'already content with low rentals, al1 though fear was expressed that the ; local bodies might have to reduce their present rentals even further. Government speakers said that the Statutes Revision Committee was satisfied with the repeal of the exemption and with this, the question lapsed. Th'e Mortgagors' and Tenants' Further Relief Bill went through the committee st'ages without trouble, although the Minister of Justice (Hon. J. G. Cobbe) said another amendment was to be inserted later. It was not possible to get past the debate on the first clause of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill. Replying to comments on this measure, the Minister of Health (Hon. J. A. Young) said there appeared to be some appreh'ension lest steps he taken under the provisions of the measure to reduce the number of hospital districts in the near future. He gave an assurance, however, that there was no intention to do this. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. next Tuesday when the Government bills will he considered again.