PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1922, 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. G. Mitchell (Wellington South), Mr. Massey' eaid he knew of no case of "any public servant who had not received any increase in salary or bonus since 1919, but if such a case existed he would like time to consider how such an officer would be affected by the Retrenchment Bill passed by. the House. Replying to Mr. T. D. Burnett (Temuka), Mr. Massey said the House would be given an opportunity, probably this week, to discuss the reclassification of soldiers’ pensions.

Replying to Mr. F. N. Bartram (Grey Lynn), the Hon. J. G. Coates said wireless in. New Zealand cost the Government about £4OOO per annum over and above revenue. In addition we had to pay for the wireless at Samoa. The Government recognised it could not be a commercial concern and the Awanui station was not kept open continuously for the sake of economy, but if it was found necessary in the interests of public safety to do so the Awanui high power station would be kept open all the time. When the Awanui station was closed the Auckland station opened and it was considered. this gave sufficient margin of 6a to Mr. C. Mackenzie (Auckland East), Mr. Massey said Cabinet would consider whether the Government should bring down the Main Highways Bill this session. Replying.to Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central), the Hon. G. J. Anderson said there was no intention on the part of the Goverment to reduce or abolish' the epidemic widow’s pension. Mr. Massey, as Minister for Finance, confirmed this statement. Replying to Mr. H. E< Holland (leader of the Labor Party), the Hon. W. No* worthy said he knew nothing of ft proposal to bring out from the Old Country mechanics for the New Zealand railways. At present the Immigration Department was confining its attention to nominated immigrants, i Replying to .Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne)', Mr. Nosworthy said regulations in connection with cattle tick were being prepared and would be issued shortly. HE ARMS BILL.

The Hon. P. Lee introduced the Arms Amendment Bill. . ■Mr Wilford asked if some prowsion could lie made to allow British soldiere to retain arms which they brought with them to New Zealand) and , which tor sentimental reasons they desired to retain. The Minister said such cases' were provided for.