PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1921, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY’S SITTING. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. R. McCallum (Wairau), the Hon. D. H. Guthrie said he could not admit that the soldier settlement in Marlborough had been bought too dearly. The price paid was not too high, but the mistake made was in cutting up the total area into too small holdings. This, however, was being remedied, owing to the fact that some of the occupants were going out, those remaining being given larger holdings. Replying to Sir John Luke (Wellington North), the Hon. D. H. Guthrie saio he could not give the House any idea when it would be possible to resume loans to soldiers for the purchase of homes. Further, in the present financial state of thia account no new applications could be considered. Replying to Mr. W. S. Glenn (Rangitikei), Mr. Massey said his information was that the land tax was coming in most satisfactorily; in fact, it had exceeded the commissioner’s estimate. Replying to Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui), Mi’. Massey said he had given instructions to the law drafting office to prepare legislation giving complete civil rights to all public servants, so that if an opportunity should arise it might be passed this session.

Replying to the Hon. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill), Mr. Massey said he did not propose to go upon the London money market for further loans this financial year. He thought he could finance the affairs of the country until about April or May, or perhaps longer. With regard to retrenchment, he would make a statement to the House about it as soon as the tariff was out of the way, but he could assure the House that the proposals of the Government were being carried out, and would be carried out.

Replying to Mr. 0. E. Statham (Dunedin Central), Mr. Massey said he had no intention of raising the remainder of the £6,000,000 loan by compulsion, as it would impose a great hardship on many people if he did so. In the meantime he had found the money from another' source, and the purchase of soldier settlements had not suffered in the slightest degree. Replying to Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs), the Hon. C. J. Parr said it was not the intention of the Government to stop the publication of the School Journal. Although it was costing abopt £ll,OOO per annum Ministers recognised that it was the principal reading book Used in schools, that it was of great educational value, and that it was supplied to children free.

Mr. Massey then moved the customary motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr. J. H. W. Uru, member for the Southern Maori district, who died this week. In doing so he spoke feelingly of the late member’s sterling qualities, stating that by his death the Maoris had lost an able and painstaking representative, and members of the House had lost a worthy and loyal comrade.

The motion was seconded by Mr. T, M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), and supported by other members. At 3.35 p.m. the House adjourned till 7.30 p.m. as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased.