A Parliamentary Note-Book

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 190, 1 November 1927, Page 8

A Parliamentary Note-Book

A. A ight on Petrol (THE SUSS Parliamentary jr.- porfer/ ] WELLINGTON. To-day The Government’s imposition of , petrol tax last evening tame as a 5Ur prise to members of the House w Representatives generally-, as it hai been expected that consideration T? the Public Works Statement an, Estimates would occupy the time w the House. The proposal met wjrk hostile criticism from Opposition mein bers, who contended that it would K» a heavy load for motorists, and the™ would be difficulty in preventing th, abuse of exemptions. After the debate had been opened the Opposition took up the time onto 12.30 a.m.. preventing discussion of the Public Works Statement, aiiii then, seemingly in spirit of perversity Government members praised the pet! rol tax until 2.20 a m., when the House adjourned. Several minor Bills, including , “washing-up” bill, were introduced. Music Teachers’ Bill Notice to introduce the Musie Teachers’ Registration Bill was given by Sir John Luke. Wellington North in the House of Representatives this evening. Electoral Consolidation The disabilities which seamen suffer in voting at general elections is to be reviewed by the Minister in charge of the Electoral Department, the Hon. A. D. McLeod, before nest year’s election. The Consolidation of the Electoral Law, extending over Ij years and including the amending Act passed this session was introduced into the House last evening and read a first time. Petrol for Flying The Minister of Public Works, tha Hon. K. S. Williams, might have had vision for good roads in the future, but it did not occur to him to exempt from the petrol tax airplane engines. When reminded of this by Mr. Wilford in the House last evening, he said that no doubt when the Bill embodying the tax proposals came down pro. vision would be made for this. ’Ware Profiteers The possibility of profiteering la benzine was not lost sight of by members of the House of Representatives when the petrol tax was imposed last evening, and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Prime Minister, was asked what would be the position regarding benzine at present in the country. The Prime Minister admitted that it would be said that the man who now held a large stock of benzine would charge an extra fourpence a gallon for it, and so make a huge profit. "1 can only say he would be very unwise to do it,” said Mr. Coates, “and: I don’t think he will do it.” -e ill Importation of Seeds

The regulation of the importatioji of certain seeds, and in particular to require treatment of imported seeds so as to distinguish them from New Zea-land-grow-n seeds, is proposed in tha Seeds Importation Bill, introduced intn the House of Representatives this evening by Governor-General’s message. It will apply to all quantities of imported seed exceeding 2Slb in weight Inspectors will be appointed for enforcement of the measure, and they will have the right to enter premisei and ships to make their inspections. The Act will come into force on April 1, 1928, after which it will be illegal except with the written consent of the Minister of Agriculture to import seeds unless the contents of each packet have been treated in a matner prescribed by regulation so as ta make them distinguishable. Seed imported contrary to the provisions of the Act will be reshipped from tha Dominion or treated or disposed of as the Minister may decide, and the sals or possession of such seeds will be an offence punishable by a fine up to £s#.