PARLIAMENT'S WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 229, 27 September 1930, Page 13

PARLIAMENT'S WORK.

DAY ON THE ESTIMATES. WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS. UNEMPLOYMENT BILL PASSED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The principal happening in Parliament to-day was the passing by the Legislative Council without amendment of the Unemployment Bill, the announcement of which in the Lower House was received with applause. Consideration of police, prisons and pensions estimates occupied tlie attention of the House, providing the usual wide variety of topics for discussion, local "wants" figuring largely in many of the speeches. The House was proceeding to debate the defence estimate when the time for adjournment arrived. The Minister was assailed with questions as to the future of the defence forces, but the limited time available prevented the Hon. J. G. Cobbe from touching on more than the fringe of the subject. On Monday the House will deal with the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Bill. Butter For Prisoners. The opening lament of "The Prisoner's Song"—"l wish I had someone to love me" —has awakened the sympathy of the Labour member for Waimarino (Mr. F. Langstone). Speaking on the police vote, Mr. Langstone said that according to the returns, prisoners were being victualled for sixpence a day each. "They can give them breakfast, dinner and tea for a little over sixpence," he declared "Give us the menu," suggested Mr. J. A. Nash (Reform, Palmerston). Mr. Langstone: I am informed that sometimes prisoners ask for a little dripping, but they are not allowed to have it, the argument being that it is the thin end of tlie wedge to get butter. (Laughter.) New Zealand is a but-ter-producing country, and I think prisoners should be allowed butter. If I went to prison I would certainly want it. He contended that a little more consideration should be given the prisoners. No comment was made by the Minister. No Courthouse for Devonport. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Justice, informed Mr. A. Harris (Reform, Waitemata) that the question of the establishment of a courthouse at Devonport had been previously considered, and that the reports of the authorities were against the erection of a building there at present, on account of the proximity of Auckland city. If later on it was found that a real grievance existed, the question would be further gone into, the Minister added. Crown Prosecutors' Cases. Answering Mr. W. L. Martin (Labour, Raglan), the Hon. J. G. Cobbe said there was no .objection to Crown Prosecutors taking private cases. They were only paid for the Crown cases handed to them, and if these gentlemen relied only on this business it would not be worth the while of a first-class man taking the Crown cases. "Such a Question?" His curiosity aroused by the appearance in the Police Estimates of an item of £3 3/ for long-service medals, Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Reform, Riccarton) asked the Hon. J. G. Cobbe who the recipients of the awards would be. "Are they long-service medals for the prisoners?" he inquired. The Minister of Labour: This is the House of Parliament, and you ask a question like that! Mr. Kyle: It is in the Estimates, and I have a perfect right to ask about it. I doubt whether the Minister himself knows without consulting his confidential adviser, the Controller-General of Ptisons. Anyhow, the Minister of Labour is not accustomed to being in tlie House of Parliament, x "You will soon get out of the habit," predicted the Hon. W. A. Veitch, Minister of Railways. Mr. Kyle contended he had every right to make the inquiry, as it was the sort of poser put to members outside the House. The Minister of Justice said the medals were for warders who had completed twenty years' service. "And perhaps for members who ask silly questions," murmured the Minister of Labour. Retirement of Constables. A plea for the retirement of constables at 55 years of age instead of (30, as at present, was made by Mr. W. J. Jordan (Labour, Manukau). The member said that it was unreasonable to have men on police duty at 60 years of age, since they had to be prepared and able to handle anything they encountered while patrolling the streets. Mr. Jordan considered also that Lome provision should be made for the granting of reasonable leave to men in the force. At present they had only 24 days' leave a year, while in London the period was 64 days, on full pay, too. He suggested the introduction of a system of grading, and urged that travelling concessions be granted to policemen and their families while on annual leave, since their holidays fell ordinarily at a time when excursion rates did not apply on the railways.