PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 March 1921, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ' YESTERDAY’S SITTING. AMENDING HOURS FOR SHOPS. By Telegraph.—-Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. A number of petitions were presented in connection with the proposed amendment to th© Shops and Offices Act. One presented by Mr. V. H. Potter (Roskill) contained the signatures of 6500 small shopkeepers, who prayed that the Act be repealed. i MAIN ROADS BILL. Replying to Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui), the Hon. J. G. Coates said the Bill dealing with the administration of main roads was nearly drafted and would shortly be submitted to him for revision. He hoped soon to be able to circulate it amongst the local bodies interested. SHORTAGE OF FREIGHT. Sir Geo. Hunter (Waipawa) asked th© Premier if something could not b« done in th© way of providing increased steamship freight for the ports of Napier and Wairoa. Mr. Massey, in reply, safd this matter had not been overlooked by him and telegrams had been passing between the Imperial authorities and himself on the subject. He understood th© difficulty of getting freight from the Old Country to New Zealand was one of the contributing causes to the shortness of freight at present in this part of the world. He, however, had just received a telegrain from Sir Joseph Maclay, who was ©till at the head of the British shipping department, stating that the real difficulty was getting ships, loaded and unloaded at London. Sir Joseph added that everything was being done that could be done, and when Sir Joseph said that, lie (Mr. Massey) was satisfied such was the case. SPECIAL CONSTABLES. Replying to Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South), Mr. Massey said he had heard nothing of the proposal to enrol special constables and provide them with a uniform. BOUNDARY COMMISSION. Replying to Mr. R. McCallum (Wairau), Mr. Massey said that if when the electoral boundary commissioners met they expressed a desire to visit district© the boundaries of which they were called upon to fix he had no doubt the matter could be arranged. At the same time he pointed out that the increased margin given the commissioners last year would materially diminish the difficulties with which they were faced in the past. A QUEST FOR. GOLD. Mr. H. Atmore (Nelson) asked the Premier if it was a fact that a large timber and mining concession had been granted to an American syndicate in Westland. Mr. Massey said an application had recently been made for the use by a syndicate of 10,000 acres of timber land in Westland, but it was not granted, and the land had gone into the care of the Forestry Department. A mining concession had been granted to an American syndicate at Rimu Flat. Previous effort© to develop gold deposits at this flat failed, but the American syndicate had built a giant dredge which, if successful, would be of great benefit to the district, because there was room for many dredges in that district. No timber concession had been given to an American syndicate, nor would there be. In a further reply to Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central), Mr. Massey said the mining land concerned was not at all suitable for agricultural purposes. PEACE TREATY ACT. Replying to Mr. T. M. Wilford (Liberal Leader), Mr. Massey said the ex.piring of the Treaty of Peace Act on October 21 next had not been overlooked. He was not sure that the matter would be dealt with this session, but if not member© would have an opportunity of dealing with it during the working session this year. The mandate given New Zealand under the League of Nations had not yet reached the Government, but when it arrived he believed it would clearly define the degree of authority givojn to the Dominion. Mr. Massey gave notice of his intention. to move that for the remainder of the session Mondays and Wednesdays be given up to Government business. MOTIONS OF CONDOLENCE. The Premier then moved the customary motions of condolence with the families of the following former members of the House of Representatives: iV£r. W. D. Powdrell, the Hon. G. Jones, Mr. T. M. Hornsby, Sir James Prendergast, the Hon. J. A. Tole, and Messrs. F. Lowry, S. Carnell, and C. E. Button. The motion© Were seconded by Mr. Wilford, and supported by other speakers.

On the motion of the Premier, the House adjourned at 4.42 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Monday, as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased gentlemen. .