QUICK PASSAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 281, 26 November 1937, Page 14

QUICK PASSAGE.

TOTAL £2,145,361.

BROADCASTING COSTS.

PICOT BROTHERS' PRICE.

MINISTER GIVES DETAILS. (By Tolnifriipli.— t'lirlln menl nry lleporfor.) \V KfiLl N( i'l'( »N, this day. With cijihl, classes ii|' estimates, representing virtes ii ugregn Ii ng C'i.l t.'i.'ttil to lin |ni*«i'<l, 11w House of Kcprescntafives ycslerdn v wa* faced with a liig day's work, lint, the "nil - night el'" of the previous sitting no doubt had it* efTcct on nicmbci'«, who settled down to business with a. will arid. despite discussions dragging somewhni in the a flcrnnon, the

evening •(it tiny mi w nil I lie vote* pasne* 1 without, even 11 supper adjournment, and prndiciilly on the tick of linlfpast

(>|ll iti xit imi members had evidently miidi' 1111 their inin.ls Unit, t In- y would not. hwe llirir beauty If> two nights running. In view of tin- tremendous

number nf i|ueslinns, both in respect to internal jiikl external marketing, which the Opposition maintained on previous occasion* had not. been adequately answered by the Government, it was anticipated that tho dairy marketing account. >i ml t.ha internal marketing vote would have taken many hours of discussion, I>lll. a. tired House was in session and unexpected progress was made.

Another surprising feature of the day was the passing of the whole' of the broadcasting estimates, another highly content imis subject, in the record time of llvo minutes. Talked in "Suspicious Way." When the Urteriuil marketing" vote cam* on for debate the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hamilton, referred to "mysteries," a'nd he chided the Minister of Marketing, Mr. Niuth, with withholding information until the last minute, instead of being frank with figures at the Opening of the debate, especially figures connected with the purchase of Pioot Brothers' business.

The Minister'* reply was that Opposition member# had talked in "a suspicious way." ' He gave full v details of Picot Brother*'.' purchase. Amounting to including £15,000 for goodwill, arrived at On the basin of £5000 a year profit (Mr three years, and £3000 compensation for book debts.

There was ample evidence to show that the annual'' profits were considerably in excess of.the figure mentioned, said Mr. Nash.

Broadcasting *m tile final Hem on the day's work, and Mr. Hamilton said the Opposition did ilot desire to enter into further dlscMiiSlon on tie subject, but would Imi cMptent to move an amendment Mduchrjf. tlie total vote of £nr»4.41fl by ' £|«0,<149. which represented tho total of the Commercial Broadcasting Department's vote. Ho added that the Government h«d made an unfortunate appointment in Hs eelect.lon of the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting, and that-a mighty lot of peoplo In New Zealand held the same view. The amendment was lost and the vrrte went through wfthout further discussion. Will Finish By December 10.

Before the adjournment Mr. Coates (National, Kalparn) asked the Prime Minister to give lk#i,housc a definite statement as to legislation he Intended to put through hefrtße 'midsummer adjournment, and to let members know when the House would rise. Statements had been made in the Press, ho said, that Parliament wac to adjourn on December 10. Tt was necessary that members should know the date, as they had other business to do, and It was Inconvenient ( pot to know the approximate date.'"Will the Prime Minister stake a statement when "W* are to clean up?" mm- Mr. Coates.

Tho Prime Minister said he would hand to the Lead# pf the Opposition, Mr. Hamilton, a 11st Of the measures It was proposed to pans, "I can assure the right ho'n. member that we will not he here.after Wwejnber 10,* he continued. "T want that as dog« matieally as I eall» ; .v : 'Bfc»»no members day that such statements cannot be made, but T am making H, and I will see that we enrrv l,t out."

Mr. IT. O. Dickie , (tfsfjtlonal. Pates) asked whether It w#» the Intention of the Government, to on the Local Government 'iy <Amalffamati«n Schemes) Bill during the recess. Mr. Savatre said that evidence would lie called when Parliament was sitting.