PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY’S SITTING. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS ADDRESS DEBATE CONTINUED. Wy Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington. Last Night. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. E. P. Lee gave notice of his intention to introduce the Insurance Companies Deposit Amendment Bill. In reply to Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon), Mr. Massey said that if cases of hardship to married men arose under the second cut these cases could be inquired into by the committee set up for that purpose under the Act. In reply to Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Massey said he would announce in a few days Cabinet’s decision with regard to validating local body contributions towards the Pearson memorial fund for the blind. Replying to Mr. J. Craigie (Timarp), Mr. Massey said he would announce in a day or two the Government’s decision on the subject of setting up a special committee to go into banking questions. In reply to Mr. H. Poland (Ohinemuri), the Hon. D. H. Guthrie said the second cut in the railway department would be equal throughout all grades. CONTINUATION OF DEBATE. The debate on the Address-in-Reply was resumed by Mr. J. A. Young (Waikato), who dealt with anomalies in the taxation on companies, which in some cases amounted to as much as ten shillings in the pound. This, he declared, was retarding ’industry, and incidentally it increased the cost of living. He defended the rebate to payers of land tax. because a deflation in land values had taken place, which had not, yet been recorded op the valuation roll. The rebate was therefore in reality a reduction of land tax to which the owner was entitled.

Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland), dealt with forestry problems and expressed the hope that in a few days the Minister of Customs would be able to announce that under the reciprocal arrangement proposed with Australia New Zealand timber could be sent lo the Commonwealth on much more advantageous terms than at present. Mr. J, R. Hamilton (Awarua) said the most urgent need of New Zealand at this moment was increased production and on that account he deprecated the interference of paid agitators. If these were to continue farmers would have to seek freedom from the Arbitration Court, otherwise it would be impossible for fanners to carry on if the industry was hampered by union conditions. He eulogised the work of the Meat Board. That body might not have given them new markets, but at least it had given them the full benefit of the markets already at their disposal. It had given the producers up-to-date information regarding what their meat was worth on the London market, a privilege they had not previously enjoyed.

TEACHING LOYALTY. Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hummii) deprecated remarks by Mr. Clutha Mackenzie that loyalty was centred in the Reform Party, for the Opposition was just as loyal as the Government. At the same time he doubted the wisdom qf mechanically saluting the flag by school children, which was calculated to surfeit children with flag waving. State and ceremonial occasions were, he thought, sufficient to instil the idea of patriotism in the youthful mind. They could then be taught the value of the flag and all it stands for.

The Hon. D. H. Guthrie said those who criticised the immigration policy of the Government were not always seized of the facts. Tn some cases pressure had been brought to bear on the Government to assist immigrants on the ground that they were good tradesmen. but unfortunately on .arrival here they were found* not to be good tradesmen, and they liad to go out. So far as soldier settiers were concerned revaluation would have to come, but that day had not arrived yet. Mr. W. T. Jennings (Waitomo) considered' the cost of Government had been enormously increased by the practice of appointing boards and commissions and handing over the functions of the Government to persons who had no responsibility, and then the House was not allowed to see their reports when they were made. What had the Board of Trade done to justify its existence? The cost of living was far lower in Australia than in New Zealand, in s.pite of the Board of Trade. The cost of Government was being increased by the enormous travelling expenses being claimed in this country. Ministers travelled with large retinues and there was waste going on in departments, much of which could be eliminated. Discussing railway administration he complained Ihat want of common sense was permitting motors competing successfully against the railways. On the subject of the difficulties of back block settlers he declared the country was ready for some new policy and he would support any Government enterprising enough to put it into force. Mr. A. D. McLeod (Wairarapa) entered his protest against the proposal to adopt proportional representation, because it would endanger the country quota. Discussing soldier settlements he admitted there had been mistakes made in the purchasing of lands, but he hotly denied that such mistakes had been deliberately made in the interests of the -friends of the Reform Party. If the losses on soldier settlements proved heavier than the ascertained losses for several Liberal settlements in the Hutt Valley he would walk out of the House and never come back. The debate was adjourned and the House rose at 10.55 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.