A Parliamentary Notebook

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 140, 3 September 1927, Page 8

A Parliamentary Notebook

A Day on Estimates ’ (THE SEX'S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The time of Parliament to-day, a ft er formal business had been disposed of was devoted to the consideration of ; estimates which proceeded during the afternoon with smoothness and expediency, ten items being passed with little or no discussion before the tea adjournment. There was a stron, : contrast in the evening when nearlr tour hours were spent in the talk oa ihe vote for the internal Affairs Department, members taking time on ; subjects ranging from the High Cota. missioner’s expenses to the breeding ; of opossums- The House adjourned at midnight. The following items were passed; £ Mines Department -14,74, State Coal Mines Account .. 231,317 Printing and Stationery Dept 21S.SS0 Native Dept 30,6 Native Land Settlement Account 4,6 95 Native Trustees Account . . 14,215 tlovernment Insurance .. .. 206,025 State Fire Insurance . . . . 34,111 Government Accident Insurance 16,649 Prime Minister's Dept 12,356 National Provident Fund and Friendly Societies . . 21,56.7 Internal Affairs Dept 315,463 Treasury Dept 36.350 Public buildings, domains, maintenance etc., of roads, and irrigation works . . .. 233,033 Fear of Meat Trusts The eagle eye of Mr. W. D. Lvsnar, that enemy of meat trusts, is focussed unflinchingly upon the movements of Vesteys in the north, and he has given notice to ask the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that he will see that Vestey Bros, are not allowed to rebuild or improve their freezing works in the Auckland disj trlct, which, if allowed, would be conj trary to the spirit and intention of legislation already passed by the House. According to reports, he said, Vestey Bros, had made such an application, and it had been approved of by the Meat Board. It was against the interests of the producers that this oversea-owned freezing works should be allowed to increase Its capacity, or to have its facilities of trading improved. Petrol Contracts The terms upon which the' Government has secured the contract for the supply of motor spirit and kerosene for both islands are the most favourable that have yet been managed by the authorities. The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. K. S. Williams, has announced that the British Imperial Oil Company has the contract for the motor spirit for the North Island, while the Vacuum Oil Company contracts for the motor spirit for the South Island, and the kerosene for both islands. The price of benzine for the North was £42,000, and for the benzine for the South and the kerosene £23,500. Life of School Committees If no serious objection is raised by school committees and other educational authorities, the Minister of Education, the Hon. R. A. Wright, will endeavour to amend the Education Act this session to extend the life of school committees beyond the present one-year term. Mr. J. Bitchener avers that many school committees throughout the country would welcome such a change.