HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1922, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. RURAL CREDITS BILL. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central), Mr. Massey said he hoped to make a statement to-morrow regarding the State Advances Department taking over the Housing Department. In reply to Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), Mr. Massey said he would have a clause drafted authorising county councils to refund overpaid rates and endeavor to have it passed thia session.

Repying to Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labor Party), Mr. Massey said he felt sure there would be no improper interference with public servants who desire to take part in political meetings. At the same time public servants ought to know where to draw the line, for there were some things which would be right and proper in a private individual which would not be discreet on the part of a public servant.

Replying to Mr. R. McCallum (Wairan), Mr. Massey said he had been informed that the superannuation of a public servant standing for Parliament ' was amply protected. The Rural Credit Association Bill (Mr. .Massey) was introduced and read a first time. ARBITRATION BILL. Tn committee on the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, the Minister moved a new clause that- the Bill should come into operation on January 12. This was adopted. Replying to Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South), who said some unions had levies outstanding, the Minister said he understood that the measure would not be. retrospective. The Bill was reported with amendment, read a third time, and passed. “WASHING-UP” BILL. The reserves and other lands disposal (Washing-Up) Bill was further considered in committee. Nine new clauses were passed and progress was reported.

MAORIS AND LIQUOR. A Bill to permit a liquor poll being taken in the Horouta Maori Council district (East Coast) was introduced by Governor’s message. Sir William Herries explained that at one of the previous licensing polls this Maori Council district carried the issue that no liquor be sold to natives in that area, but no provision was made for holding another poll by which this decision could be reviewed and at which natives could say whether they would continue prohibition or revert to the old system under which liquor might be supplied to male Maoris. He mentioned that the Hon. A. T. Ngata favored the Bill and had asked for it. The Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. OTHER BILLS PASSED.

The Hon. G. J. Anderson moved that the House go into committee on the Mining Amendment Bill. He mentioned that he proposed to move in committee that Clause 11, imposing a fee of five per cent, on the collection of gold duty, be struck out. The Bill passed the committee stage with the deletion of Clause 11 and other amendments inserted by the Goldfields Committee. The Bill was then read a third time, and passed.

The Hon. W. Nnsworthy moved the committal of the Dairy Industry Amendment Bill, which dealt principally with the auditing of dairy factories' overrun. The Bill was put through committee unamended, read a third time, and passed.

The Hon. G. J. Anderson moved the committal of the Stone Quarries Amendment Bill, which he described as a machinery measure. The Bill was read a third time, and passed. The House rose at 11.55 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.