PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 1922, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY’S SITTING. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. PROGRESS OF BILLS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met to-day, at 2.30 p.m. The Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill, the State Fire Insurance Amendment Bill, and the War Disabilities Amendment Bill were reported without amendment. The Shipping and Seamen’s Amendment Bill and the Amusement Tax Bill were read a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. In reply to Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), the Hon. G. J. Anderson said it was not a fact that large quantities of printing were being given to private firms to the detriment of the staff employed in the Government printingoffice. Such complaints were part of the propaganda going on. It was a question whether the head of the department and the Minister were going to run the Government printing office, or whether the staff was going to run it. It was no part of the policy of the Government to send printing to private firms to the detriment of the Government printing office. Replying to Mr. J. V. Brown (Napierl, the Hon. D. H. Guthrie said the question of carrying fish at reduced rates on the railways was under consideration. Replying to Dr. H. T. Thacker (Christchurch East), the Hon. Sir R. H. Rhodes said the Government had not yet considered the question of taking over the aerodrome at Sockburn, as the matter had not been put up to the Government as a business proposition. In any case the Government was not going to pay a big sum of money for this aerodrome, when they had land and a number of facilities at Burnham. THE ESTIMATES. CUSTOMS TREATY AND REVENUE. The House went into committee of supply to further consider the Estimates. The first vote taken was that of the Customs Department (£108,507). In reply to Mr. Wilford, the Hon. W. D. Stewart said it was too early yet to aay what the effect of the new reciprocal tariff with Australia was going to have on the revenue, but so far as the export of goods to Australia was concerned there was evidence that the effect is going to be very beneficial. He was endeavoring to clear up several matters that had been left in abeyance between Australia and New Zealand, and he hoped to get a reply to his cablegram early next week. The vote was passed. LANDS AND SURVEY. The Lands and Survey Department (£193,666). Replying to Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui), The Hon. D. H. Guthrie said the boards tn enquire into the question of soldier settlements could have been appointed some time ago, but for the fact that some of the gentlemen who were asked to act had subsequently found they were unable to devote the time to the work, and others had to be found. He was desirous of getting thoroughly practical men to act, and when these were found and the order of reference published, he felt confident the House would agree that the whole of the ground had been covered. Subsequent discussion ranged over such topics as national endowment tenure, settlers’ grievances of various kinds, the destruction of rabbits, wild pigs and keas. In reply to allegations that the Government was not clearing rabbits and wild pigs from Government reserves, the Hon. W. Nosworthy declared emphatically that the Government would do its duty in this connection, and some of the settlers who were putting all the blame on the Government might find the department was getting to work a bit faster than was comfortable for them. The vote was passed. LAND VALUATIONS. Valuation Department (£42,353). Replying to Mr. Forbes, Mr. Massey said he was aware that in some cases county valuations were too high, and he had been in consultation with the Valuer-General with a view to seeing whether something could not be done; but he was of opinion that an amendment of the law would first be necessary. In all probability a short Bill would be introduced this session. The vote was passed. THE ELECTORAL ROLLS. Electoral Department (£84,548). Mr. Wilford complained of the imperfect condition of the electoral rolls, which he declared were in a most unsatisfactory state. Mr. Massey stated the rolls had been greatly improved during the last few weeks. Two supplementary rolls would be issued, and he thought that by the time the last supplementary roll was issued it would be found the rolls were fairly complete and clean. Even now it might be possible to notify through registered post those persons whose names had been struck off the rolls. The vote was agreed to.

AGRICULTURAL MATTERS. Department of Agriculture (£253,312). Replying to criticism, the Minister eaid he agreed that the Lincoln Agricultural College work should be extended, even if it meant selling some of the North Island State farm property, but until financial conditions improved he would not make any definite promise to expend more money. TOURIST DEPARTMENT. Tourist Department ( £71,792). In reply to a general discussion, the Hon. W. Nosworthy said that the Mt. Cook Hermitage had been let for five years at £2OO per year. The Bill, to be introduced setting up a board to govern the Tongariro National Park would give representation to natives on the board. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui), while protesting against starving experimental farms, such as Moumahaki, suggested scientific assistance might be obtained from the Cawthron Institute So that

the farmer might obtain the best possible returns for his land. The Minister, referring to the Weraroa State farm, said this was now under practical scientific lines. It was showing a profit, and he believed that with a change in methods Moumahaki would also before long show a profit on its working. He did not believe in a lot of theory that could not produce profitable results. Replying to further suggestions for aid to State farms, the Minister emphasised the point that on all hands the Government was urged to practice economy and retrench expenditure, and in the light of that he would not be driven by Farmers’ Unions or any other unions into expenditure on anything that could not produce practical and profitable results. The vote was passed. STATE FORESTRY. •State Forest Department ( £103,590). Mr. Wilford criticised this department, contending that too much money was being spent on it. Everyone knew that the department was the favorite child of a particular Minister and he was very enthusiastic over it, but he thought the money spent on it was out of all proportion to the benefits being derived. 1 Mr. H. Atmore (Nelson) hoped the Government would go on spending more | money on the department and achieve I results similar to those achieved in France out of timber planted fiorty years ago. The Hon. Sir R. H. Rhodes said the Government fully recognised their responsibility in the matter of reafforestation and only sheer necessity compelled them to economise in this department. Mr. Massey: “And we are going on economising; make no mistake about that.” Sir R. H. Rhodes said the Government had not yet come to any decision with regard to the site of the school of forestry. It was no use discussing the question when there was no money to establish the school. The vote was passed. OTHER VOTES. The following other votes were passed: Mental hospitals (£301,736); Public Health Department ( £221.473); Cook Islands (£20,521); State Coal Mines ( £270,168) ; Scenery Preservation ( £9396); Nauru and Or°an Islands account ( £175,000); Land for Settlement and discharged soldiers' settlement account (£592?); Native Land settlement account ( £5733); Housing account ( £ 149,917); Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement account (£40.000); Fishing Industry account ( £10,000): Westport Harbor account ( £23,500).- War Expenses account ( £799/252); Trustee account (£187,397); Native Trustee account (£6216); Government Insurance ( £97,655); Government Accident Insurance ( £10,975); State Fire Insurance (£61,267); Public Service Superannuation ( £6140); Advances to Settlers Branch ( £392.357); Advances to Workers Branch ( £105.926); Advances to Local Authorities Branch ( £104,548). This completed consideration of the . Estimates, and the House rose at 12.55 , a.m. till 7.30 p.m. on Monday.