PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 151, 29 June 1927, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

WORTH OF A WOMAN'S VOTE.

GOVERNMENT AND BUNGLING.

WORKLESS STAND IN THE RAIN.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

All the galleries of the House of Representatives were well filled to-night for the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill No. 1. The "sewing guild" in the ladies' gallery dropped their knitting! and fancy work, sat up, and enjoyed the' fun when Mr. Parry (Auckland Central) raised the question of the worth of a woman's vote. He brandished a huge Reform advertisement carrying the portrait of the Hon. J. G. Coates. This was issued in the last general election campaign, and emphasised the value of a woman's vote. The advertisement said woman's instincts were for safety and security, yet the party that had pi'omised safety and security now offered 9/ and 12/ a day. Conditions in New Zealand to-day were a complete reversal of the policy that had been outlined by Reform in 1925. There were between 2000 and 3000 unemployed in Auckland, and all save new bands had lost faith in the Government. The Labour Bureau office itself was a disgrace to the Dominion. Workless men had to stand for hours in the rain waiting for jobs. The Government had fcungled the whole mater of unemployment relief. A bullock driver performing a surgical operation would acquit himself more creditably than the Government had done in handling this problem. Wanted Light Work. James George Cameron "Walters, of 10. Manning Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland, has petitioned the House seeking emplovment in a Government department "in a position suitable to his present limited physical capacity. The petitioner, who was a holder in the Newmarket workshops for ten years prior to May, 1920, had his head severely crushed in an accident. He lost the hearing in one ear and the sight of one eye, and sustained other permanent injuries. A pension of £1 0/4 per month is paid by the railways superannuation fund. Petitioner had applied to the Railways for light employment, but the final reply was that he had been settled with as for total incapacity, and nei further obligation was recognised. Preference to Unionists. In view of the Government's proposal to amend the Arbitration Act, Mr. J. G. Elliot (Oroua) asked the Minister of Labour in the House whether he would eliminate the power in the Act to grant preference to unionists, as this was the general desire of farmers. Hon. G. J. Anderson: I cannot reply to all the items in the question, but I can say that an amendment to the Arbitration Act is under consideration. Mr. H. E. Holland (leader of the Opposition): How far have you got? This question caused general laughter, and the Minister made no answer. Importation of Potatoes. A question of some interest to the potato growers of Pukekohe was asked by Mr. T. D. Burnett (Temuka) in the House this afternoon, when he requested the Minister of Agriculture to make a statement concerning the steps that were to be taken to control the importation of potatoes. The member said it was necessary that potato growers be protected from a threatened invasion of pests from Australia. The Hon. O. J. Eawken said he would give details of the Department's proposals if the question were repeated on. Wednesday. Hospital Patients' Fees. The Leader of the Opposition has aeked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in certain public hospitals members of the honorary medical staff are collecting fees from patients. If this is illegal, what steps will be taken in the matter? Meeting Short-dated Loans. Will the Minister of Public Works introduce legislation to provide local bodies with extra revenue for the provision of adequate sinking funds for road construction works ? Mr. A. M. Samuel (Ohinemuri) has given notice of this question. He pointed out that the matter was one of urgency, since it had been found that the maximum life of a bitumen road was 15 years, and that of concrete 20 years, and it was necessary to take steps to meet new conditions. Leave of Absence. The member for Manukau (Mr. W. J. Jordan) has been granted four days' leave of absence, on account of illness.