PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1921, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES A MARKET FOR BACON, PROSPECTS FOR MEAT INDUSTRY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Sir John Luke (Wellington. North), Mr. W. F. Massey said he believed there was a profitable market for New Zealand bacon in England, and he would draw the attention to the department to the opportunity that awaited the people of this country in this connection. Replying to Mr. W. S. Glenn (Rangitikei), Mr. Massey said the outlook for New Zealand beef at present was not encouraging, and he did not think that we would be able successfully to compete in beef with the Argentine for some time to come. In mutton ana lamb we could compete with the Argentine, but not in beef. As to the handling of New Zealand lamb at the London docks, he had made representations to the proper authorities when in London, and he believed an improvement would be made.

Replying to Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton), the Hon. C. J. Parr said that in cases of purchases of school sites or additions to sites, the Government had no money for that purpose, but if debentures were taken such purchases might be arranged. .Replying to Mr. H. Poland (Ohinemuri), the Hon. E. P. Lee said he would ask the Board of Trade to inquire into the relative prices paid to farmers for pork by the meat companies and the price charged to the public for bacon. Replying to Mr. Witty (Riecarton), Mr. Lee said a similar inquiry would be made with regard to oats and oatmeal.

Replying to Mr. J. R- Hamilton (Awalua), the Hon. J. G. Coates said he could not promise to bring down the Public Works Statement any earlier in the session this year than usual.

HOSPITALS COMMISSION.

DANGERS OF TUBERCULOSIS. NECESSITY FOR ACTION, When the report of the Hospitals Commission was tabled by the Minister of Health, Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames) asked whether the tabling of the report meant that the recommendaI tions were to be adopted, or whether there would be an opportunity to discuss them. Dr- H. T. Thacker (Christchurch East) and Mr. A. S. Malcolm (Clutha) asked the Minister to pay special attention to consumption. Mr. R. McCallum (Wairau) drew the Minister’s attention to the system of the Defence Department, which had selected agents to frequent public places- to get into touch with men showing signs of tubercular diseaseg and to tell them of the facilities for cure available. He suggested that the Health Department might follow that example. The Hon. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill) suggested that the Minister should secure a copy of a valuable Victorian report on consumption. Serious consequences were involved in indifference and neglect, and it was criminal not to take precautions. The Minister, in reply, said an opportunity would be given to discuss the recommendations of the Hospitals Commission. •Some of these recommendations, he thought, would require legislation before effect could, be given to them, and it was possible in some cases districts would be abolished. The legislation to be introduced would also deal with the system of subsidies.

PROTECTION OF GAME.

NEW MEASURE BROUGHT DOWN. The Hon. W- Downie Stewart moved the second reading of the Animals Protection and Game pill, which, he said, was largely a compilation from the existing law, supplemented by suggestions derived from acclimatisation societies and from the experience of the department. The Bill would not go through committee for some time, as it was desired to obtain further suggestions from the acclimatisation societies. Part 1 of the Bill dealt -with the protection of animals, making provision for sanctuaries. Part 2 dealt with game seasons, and part 3 was devoted to provisions regulating the taking of opossums. Part 4 defined acclimatisation societies’ districts and the registration of societies, while part 5 contained a number of general provisions, which experience rendered necessary. Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South) criticised the Bill as being another instance of legislation by regulation. Mr. A. S. Malcolm’ (Clutha) urged that the right to trap opossums should not confer the right to trespass on private property, and that no one should be compelled to secure a license to trap on his own land-

Mr. F. F. Hockley (Rotorua) questioned the wisdom of protecting opossums. They might prove as great a pest as rabbits had proved, and greater power should be given to local bodies to deal with them if they became a nuisance.

Mr. J. R. Hamilton (Awarua) contended that local bodies, and not acclimatisation societies, should be given power to control opossums. The former represented the settlers, and the latter onlv sportsmen. Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) thought greater encouragement should be given tc private people to raise game, as was done with such success in other countries, and a drastic penalty for the destruction of privately raised game should be inserted in the BillMr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) deprecated the introduction of the bad game laws of England to New Zealand. We wanted nothing of the sort. The Hon. Downie Stewart, replying, said he proposed to await the receipt of criticism by acclimatisation societies on the Bill before going on with the committee stage, and that might obviate any need to refer the measure to a special committee. • The Bill was read a second time on the voiceA*