PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1921, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE, ADJOURNED TILL NEXT WEEK By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Law of Libel Bill (further amendment) and the Law Practitioners Amendment Bill, were introduced and read a first time. The Hon. O. Samuel was re-elected Chairman of Committees.

The Address-in-Reply debate was continued by the Hon. J. Barr, who congratulated the Government on having the courage to tackle the tariff question. He said those who wished to abolish the Arbitration Court were in a small minority. The Court had acted rightly in the shearers’ case. The debate was adjourned on the motion of the Hon. W. H. Triggs, and the Council rose at 3.45 pin. until October

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

UNEMPLOYMENT POSITION. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Daylight Baking Bill (Mr. J. McCombs) and the Tauranga Harbor Board Empowering Amendment Bill (Sir William Herries) were introduced and read a first time. In reply to questions Ministers made the following answers: The Government has already dealt with the. question of unemployment, so far as the financial position will allow, and looks to local authorities in the respective districts to make such provision as is necessary. It is considered that unemployment should diminish now that the winter season is over. WAR PENSIONS. The Government is considering an amendment of the War Pensions Act, but it is not proposed to introduce legislation readjusting the whole of the pension schemes as suggested by Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), who asked for a review and readjustment of pensions granted under any statute, including superannuation.

The Government does not consider it necessary to depart from the provisions of section 15 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1915, regarding the valuation of Crown Lands whereon ex-soldiers are settled. Every case of hardship will be considered on its merits, and Land Boards will be empowered to recommend the post-' ponement or remission of rent.

The Wheat Controller has been instructed to prepare a report on the arrangements for the Government’s purchase of the milling, wheat of the next harvest. The date of the completion of the Otira tunnel cannot yet be definitely fixed, owing to the interruption of the supply of electrical equipment, due to a strike in England, but no unreasonable delay is anticipated. ARMS FOR POLICE.

The Government is considering the question of utilising tunnellers from Otira on the Buller Gorge railway. The Government has been—and is—exercising its full powers for checking profiteering.

The Government received a number of representations on the subject of amending the Crimes Act, 1908, by deleting the provisions to section 216, and if legislation is. considered necessary after the consideration of these it will be introduced.

The Government will consider the suggestion for the issue of a badge or medal to police officers displaying exceptional bravery in the discharge of their duties. The question of arming the police at night is one requiring careful consideration, but in view of recent happenings the matter is receiving special attention.

The Government has no present intention of entering into a further contract with the Colonial Sugar Refining Company.

It is not intended to reduce the number of organising teachers at present training inexperienced teachers, in. remote parts of the country. They are doing good work improving the smaller schools, but a more equitable distribution is necessary in the interests of economy. The Government does not propose to amend the Pensions Act to increase the amount of widows’ pensions. The Government is seriously considering the question of providing pensions for the blind. LOCAL BODY LOANS. The Government does not propose to introduce legislation enabling city councils to raise sums not exceeding £lO,OOO by special order, without the necessity for a poll, as it is considered ratepayers should have the deciding voice on loan proposals. Arrangements have been made for the safe custody of rare and valuable exhibits and documents now in the Dominion Museum. The Government cannot indicate when the restriction on advances by the State Advances Office will be removed until the financial situation improves. There is nothing, however, to prevent local bodies borrowing sums in excess of £5OOO from other institutions.

It is incorrect td premise that there is an increasing influx of Chinese and Hindus into New Zealand, which is rendered impossible under the Act of 1920. During 1920 a total of 1029 Chinese and 220 Hindus entered the country, while for the eight months of this year since the new Act has been operating 28 Chinese and 84 Hindus came in. Of the latter the majority were passengers on steamers to Suva when the new Act came into force, and could not be prevented from landing. The House adjourned at 5.10 p.m. till 7 p.m., when the evening session w«s occupied by the debate on the Address-in-Reply.