N. Z. R. S. A.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 20, 30 July 1920, Page 14

N. Z. R. S. A.

PARLIAM ENTARY ACTIYITY. During the present session of Parliament it is the intention of Headquarters to periodically ini'orm all Associations regard. ing matters that crop up in the House relating to returned soldiers. 1.— To ask the I'rime Minister whether the Government will give favourable consideration to the claims of South African war veterans to the priveleges of the D.S.S. Act, 1915. (T. E, Seddon, M.P.). Reply The Minister of Lands made the following reply : When tlxe claims of most of the discharged soldiers, who have served during the recent war have been dealt with, the question of extending the benfits of the D.S.S. Act to South African veterans will he considered. 2. — To ask the Minister in charge. of Pensions, whether, in view of the many anomalies, and the need for improvement being made in regard to pensions of widows, soldiers, and dependants of soldiers, and the discontent expressed concerning pensions generally, he will set up this session, a committee of the House to consider and report on the whole question of pensions. (Mr G. Mitchell). Reply : — The Government has declined to accept the suggestion of Mr G. Mitchell (Wellington South), that in view of the anomalies in the pensions system a special committee of the House should be set up to investigate the matter. 3. — To ask the Government what steps they propose to take in the matter of the influx of Asiatics into the country. (Mr Sidey). Reply : — A Bill to deal with the influx of Asiatics is at present being prepared by the law draftsman, and it is to be introduced during the session. THE MORATORIUM. A. suggestion that the moratorlum ought to be extended again was mentioned in the House by the Prime Minister. Mr Massey said. Parliament had dealt with the moratorlum last year and he thought the arrangement then was satisfactory. The tnoratorium liad been extended until the end of this year, and provision had been made that any person who was unable then to face the repayment of principal, or who was threatened with hardship could apply for relief to a judge of tlie Supreme Court. The cases presumably would he dealt with in chambers and the court would have power to extend the period to a date not later than the end of 1921. Mr Massey added that something more might be done next session if that proved to be necessary. 4. — To ask the Minister in Charge of Pensions Department whether he will consider the necessity for raising the Old Age Pensions, Widows', Military and Miners' Pensions, in view of the increased and increasing cost of living, also the raising of the maximum income allowed and fixing a higher maximum for house values where used for residental purposes. (Mr Atmore, M.P., Nelson). Reply, by Sir W. Herries : — Tlie increases suggested by the Honourable Meraber will he considered in connection with the proposed amendment to the Pension's Ait to be introduced this session, 5. — To a.C the Minister of Labour whether th : lovernment propose embodying the rest; tion on increase of rent provisions of 1 ti (sections 2 to 10) of tlie War Legis! ion Act, 1916, and Section 13 of the W; Legislation and Statute Law Amendment Act, 1918, which protects a soldier or d charged soldier, or a wife or a widow f a soldier or a discharged soldier from t viction, both of which expire on August 31st next, in a permanent measure of legislation before August 31st ; and whether Cabinet proposes extending Section 56, of the Housing Act, 1919, so that every family in New Zeaiand is protected from eviction until such time as sufficient homes are provided for ad families in N.Z., subjeet always to the observation of t'ne ordinary conditions of good tenancy. (Mr P. Fraser, M.P.). Reply by Sir W. Herries : — It has already been announced that the Government intends to introduce legislation to extend that referred to for twelve months. 1 he question of the desirability of a further extension will be considered at the expiration of that time. In deatmg with this matter, care must be exercised to see that the present scarcity of houses is not accentuaied by further restricting building operations, but rather that every reasonable encouragement should be given for increased enterprise in that direction.