PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S SITTING. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ADDRESS DEBATE CONCLUDED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon'. W H. Triggs continued the Address-in-Reply debate, defending the Defence Department against charges of extravagance. He regretted that hospital boards had not, without awaiting legislation, carried out some recommendations of the Hospital Commission, such as that suggesting the appointment of a skilled dietician. He urged the building of fresh air schools, and spoke with hope of the Washington Conference, which had at least given a respite to nations. New Zealand’s clear duty was to stand by the Old Country in the matter of naval defence. The Hon. H. L. Michel said the general outlook was brighter, but the country would not get back to pre-war conditions as quickly as many wished. Much of the trouble was caused by big departmental expenditure. He defended the cut in the civil service bonuses, as one means of reducing taxation. He hoped the Government would never adopt proportional representation, which lent itself to the forming of unholy alliances. He thought preference to unionists should he retained, but unionists should give efficient labor in return. The Hon. W. W. Snodgrass defended the High Commissioner against the attacks of disappointed farmers, who had not secured as much as they would have liked for their butter, and he congratulated the Government on the success of repatriation. The Leader of the Council, Sir Wm. Fraser, praised the work of repatriation committees in assisting to re-settle soldiers in civilian occupations. There had been wonderful results in the repayment of repatriation loans. The Hon. Dr. W. E. Collins, replying to the debate, expressed pleasure at the rigorous action proposed by the Minister of Health to cope with venereal disease. He urged that they should endeavor to eliminate the disease before the country became more populous and the disease more difficult to check. The Address-in-Reply was agreed to and the Council adjourned at 4,30 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THE MORATORIUM ACT. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) asked the Minister for Finance would he amend the Moratorium Act so as to protect guarantors of mortgages in cases where mortgagors were in arrears with interest, if the guarantors see that interest and other charges are kept paid up. He pointed out that cases of hardship had arisen through mortgagees insisting upon the payment of principal as well as interest, etc., by the guarantors when the morgtagors had failed to keep up payment. The Minister of Finance replied that the question was one of such importance that he would like to refer the matter to the Crown Law Office.

WANS FOR SOLDIERS. Replying to Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon), the Minister of Lands said he could not do more than at present to aid returned soldiers by way of a special grant for building houses. The money available was small in amount and the first consideration was given to disabled men, to tuberculosis men and to those who, out of their own funds had bought land, thus themselves helping in a very material manner. Replying to Mr. J. A. Nash on a similar question, the Minister said applications received were often for houses of such an extravagant character that they could not possibly be entertained. The Prime Minister, replying to Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington South), said the Government could not do more than it was doing at present to meet the unemployment difficulty. The work it was putting in hand was such as would be of permanent benefit. It was doing all it could to cope with the situation, but the Minister thought local bodies migh* "do more. AMUSEMENT Parliament will be given an opportunity to amend the amusement tax this session, the Prime Minister informed Mr. Nash. Mr. E. Dixon (Patea) asked if the duty on rubber tubing, which was largely used by dairy farmers, could be remitted. The Minister of Customs replied that there was no' duty on such tubing from Britain, but there was on the foreign made article. Possibly some farmers bought tubing received through Australia, which was on the foreign tariff, but if such cases were found relief would be granted.

A SOCIAL EVIL. Replying to a question by Mr. Sullivan on the subject of venereal diseases, the Hon. C. J. Parr said the following had been appointed a committee to investigate the prevalence of disease and make recommendations for treatment: Dr, Valentino (Director of Public Health),, the Hon. W. H. Triggs, General Sir Donald McGavin (DirectorGeneral of Medical Services), Dr. J. S. Elliott (representing the British Medical Association), Mr. M. Fraser (representing hospital boards) and Lady Luke (representing the women of New Zealand).

Replying to Mr. J. R. Hamilton (Awarua), who asked if the Main Roads Bill would be introduced this session, the Minister of Public Works said the draft recommendations on the subject were being prepared for submission to county councils, and other local bodies and kindred associations for their opinion. This, if suitable, would become the basis of the Bill.

Labor members challenged the appointment of the Goldfields and Mines Committee, urging that Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central), as a practical miner should be added. A division resulted in agreement to the committee, as originally proposed by fifty-four votes to twelve.