PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18139, 2 October 1930, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

PUBLIC SERVANTS.

OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT. FORBIDDEN IN THE MAIN. (Times Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The • Acting-Prime Minister, the H<sn. E. A. Ransom, was asked by Mr W. E. Barnard (Labour— Napier) in the House of Representatives to-day whether he was aware that according to the Postmaster-General regulations forbid public servants from accepting such outside employment as paid positions at theatres and at football matches, and that according to the Minister of Railways, who was approached on the same matter, “it is not the policy of the Department to interfere with the private affairs ot" its employees, provided that such affairs do not militate against satisfactory performance of their ary duties.” Mr Barnard asked whether -an early statement would be made with a view to clearing up the. present confusion, and defining the position of the vari-, ous classes of public servants in relation to employment outside of their regular duties.

“The policy of the Government,” Mr Ransom replied, “is that public servants are forbidden to accept any outside employment except in the most unusual circumstances, and in these cases prior approval must he obtained. Appropriate action is being taken to ensure that a uniform practice in this respect is being followed in all Departments.”

TEN SHILLING NOTES. ISSUES BY SAVINGS BANK. INCOMPATIBLE WITH PRINCIPLES (By Telegrapn.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. . In a question put to the ActingPrime Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, some, time ago in the House of Representatives, Mr E. J. Howard (Labour —Christchurch South), asked that if the associated banks decided to withdraw or curtail the issue of ten shilling notes, such notes would be issued through the Post Office Savings Bank. Mr Ransom 'replied to-day that the Post Uffice Savings Bank was not a commercial hank, and to use it for note-issuing purposes would be quite incompatible with its principles. He added that the whole question of note issue was being examined in the course of the review of the banking system now being undertaken. Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Independent— Egmont) asked whether, in view of the proposed curtailment pf the circulation of ten-shilling notes, the Government would consider arranging with the Imperial Mint authorities for a special issue of silver coin suitable for the Dominion’s requirements. He stated this should be a very profitable transaction. Mr Ransom said the Government did not propose to take any line of action that would have the effect of defeating its own taxation measures. However, the point raised regarding the profits on a silver coinage would be investigated.

RATING BILL. PASSED BY HOUSE. > i AMENDMENT DEFEATED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Rating Amendment Bill, sponsored by Mr 11. G. R. Mason, was considered by the House of Representatives in Committee this evening. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, said expert advice was to the effect that the Bill was in no way undesirable. Mr W. E. Barnard (Labour — Napier) regretted that Mr Mason had imported into the Bill an amendment which would have the effect of taking away 1 from property owners the right to relief from payment of rates in event of a building being unoccupied for six months. Other members expressed regret that Mr Mason had not left the Bill in its original form, instead of seeking to include at a few moments’ notice kn amendment taking away an important right relating to relief from rating. A division was sought when the amendment was put, and it was defeated by 48 votes to 16. An amendment moved by Mr A. Harris (Reform —Waitemata) providing that districts in which the unimproved value system of rating was in operation should be exempt from the clause of the principal Act providing that half 1 rates were chargeable for buildings unoccupied for six months, was defeated by 41 votes to 17. The Bill was read a third time and passed.

IMPORTANT REPORTS.

RAILWAYS AND ARAPUNI. TO BE PLACED BEFORE HOUSE. (Times correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Replying to a question by the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives this afternoon, the Acting Prime Minister (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) stated that the report of the Railway Commission would be tabled to-morrow afternoon. The report of the Ex-Soldiers’ Rehabilitation Commission would probably be discussed in the House next week. * The Government was preparing a measure which it hoped would give effect to some of the recommendations of the commission, but it was not expected that they would he able to give effect to the recommendations in their entirety. As to when the report of the committee which was investigating railway lines under construction would be available, Mr Ransom said that that was a matter for the committee. The report of Professor Hornell concerning Arapuni and other hydroelectric works was not yet ready. It was expected shortly, and would be laid on the table of the House next week.

SOLDIERS’ LANDS.

POSTPONED PAYMENTS. CONSIDERATION PROMISED (Times Correspondence.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. - The member for Hamilton, Mr J. A. Young, asked the, Prime Minister in the House of Representatives to-day whether, in view of the fact that, on the recommendation of the Revaluation Boards set Up under the Discharged Soldier Settlement legislation, certain interest, instalments of principal and Interest or rent due 1 to the Crown were deferred In-numerous cases, in and about 1923, for various periods, Indicating that at that time Interest charges were too heavy, and In view of the further fact -that with the present low prices for primary produce, notably .butter-fat and wool, and especially if were to continue, the postponed payments in many instances were still too heavy, he would state the policy of the Government in regard to those postponed payments, which were now falling due?. “The various Land Boards,” stated the Hon. E. A. Ransom in reply, “have ample power under the Land Act, 1924, and the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915, to recommend remission or postponement of any rent or interest that has been postponed by the Dominion Revaluation Board. When granting postponements that board took into consideration the circumstances in connection with those lands that were revalued and based its decisions in this respect on the reasonable prospect of the postponed charges being met at a future, date in the event of such lands being properly, i farmed. lam prepared to give sym- ! • pathetic consideration to any individual case in which the Land Board ' sees fit to make a recommendation for relief on account of hardship."

LOCAL BODY VOTING. BILL PASSED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. , The Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill was considered in Committee by the House this evening; Mr H. G. R. Mason (Labour —Auckland Suburbs) said the measure was purely a permissive one and was designed to give local bodies the option of employing the “cross” system of voting if they wished. The Bill was put through all remaining stages without amendment and passed.

PROGRESS OF BILLS. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Amendments made by the Legislative Council to the Magistrates’ Courts Amendment Bill were agreed to by the House of Representatives this evening. ' The .Companies Amendment Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.

price of petrol.

REPORTED PENNY INCREASE, (Times Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday, Drawing attention in the House ol Representatives this afternoon to a statement that the price of petrol is to be increased by a penny per gallon, Mr W. J. Broadfoot (United —->Vai~ tomo) asked the Acting-Prime Minister if he would make inquiry into the, difference between the price at which petrol is retailed in New Zealand and in America. If it was found to be- excessive in New Zealand he asked if the Government would take suitable action. The Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) replied that the Government had no information regarding the reported increase, but if it was made the Government would give consideration to the suggestion.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. BILLS CONSIDERED. (By Telegraph.—Pfp.r.s Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Bil(, and the Birth* and Deaths Registration Amendment Bill were referred to the Statutes Revision Committee by the Legislative Council to-day. The New Zealand Institute Amendment Bill and the Incorporated Societies Amendment Bill were read a second time. ■