PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1921, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, LOANS FOR EX-SOLDIERS. I By Telegraph—-Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. F. N. Bartram (Grey Lynn), the Hon. D. I-I. Guthrie said many returned soldiers were apt to take it for granted that if a Land Board passed their applications for loans that the loans were as good as granted. That was not so. Applications had subsequently to be approved by the Dominion Board and finally by himself, and until his signature was put to the recommendation a loan was not granted. Many soldiers had made, a grevious mistake in anticipating the granting of loans, and he was afraid some officers of the Lands Department had also made a mistake of encouraging ex-soldiers in that direction. Replying to Mr. V. H. Reed (Bay of Islands), the Hon. C. J. Parr said a Poisons Bill was being circulated outside the House. ' He understood it would be submitted to the Public Health Department, anil he was awaiting the comment of his officers. At the same time lie. thought there was little prospect of legislation being passed this session. Ministers gave the following amongst other answers to questions:

That an amendment of the law to secure British nationality for children of foreign born British subjects was considered by the Imperial Conference, and is being referred to the Parliaments of various oversea Dominions, so as to secure uniformity in t'i necessary legislation.

That the Government is considering amendment of the divorce law’s so that the position of divorced wives who have led blameless lives and helpless children will be made more secure.

That the establishment of further special schools of agriculture will no 'tloubt come as an extension of the wide provisions already mentioned, but it is not possible at the present time to state when and where such institutions can be established. Further, the Agriculture Department will, so soon as finance permits, establish farm schools for the instruction of lads in the practical work of a farm.

That the Government is anxious to enter into reciprocal relations with Australia, and on June 14 last a letter was sent to the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth asking that the same tariff as is granted to Great Britain should be granted to New Zealand. A reply was received on July 14 “that the new tariff has been specially designed to admit of reciprocal treittmeni! o' other Dominions, and that as soon as the Bill passes in Parliament the Commonwealth Government will be glad to discuss the question of reciprocal duties, with every desire to accord New Zealand as generous treatment in relation to the tariff arrangement as circumstances permit.” That in connection with retrenchment in the public service the policy of the Government is to avoid narasmp in every way possible, and every case will be considered on its merits.

• That the Government will, on public works immediately under its control, do everything possible to provide work for the unemployed, as it is considered that by so doing it will bo better both for the men themselves and the country as a whole.

That it is not proposed to introduce any amendment to the Pensions Act during the present session. That section 29 of the Gaming Act, 1908, prohibits the transmission to racecourses of telegrams relating to betting, or to an investment on the totalisator. The question of the repeal of this section is at present under consideration.