PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19972, 5 July 1930, Page 20

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSC: OP REPRESENTATIVES. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DBBATK. (7BCSS ASSOCIATION TSUtGE/JO WELLINGTON, July 4. The House of Representative!; met at 10.30 this morning. Mr H. 0. R. Mason (Lab,, Auckland Suburbs) gave notice of hie intention to introduce the Industrial Provident Society's Amendment Bill. The Leader of the Labour party (Mr Holland) drew attention to the report of yesterday's proceedings in the House in.the Wellington newspaper the "Dominion," and asserted that, while the speech of the Leader of the Opposition had been reported comprehensively, those of the Minister for Lands, the Deputy-Leader of the Labour Party, and the Minister for Railways had not been given the same treatment, He asked whether accommodation in the Press gallery would be made subject to impartial reports. Mr Forbes, in reply, said that the standard of impartiality in the Press gallery was, generally speaking, very high, and there was very little ground for complaint. However, in the instance mentioned by Mr Holland, he thought it was a case of a Party newspaper endeavouring to make up for the deficiency in the Leader of the Opposition's case by reporting his speech at great length.

Regional Settlement. Mr W. J. Broadfoot (U., Waitomo) continuing the Addreas-in-Beply debate, paid a warm tribute to the success of the work of the Scientific and Industrial Besearch Department in connexion with the development of the farming industry, Ho was satisfied that there eould be no successful system of land settlement without the co-ordination of departments that had been foreshadowed by the Minister for Lands. He strongly advocated a regional system of settlement that would enable the various problems to be dealt with in an economie manner. Mr Broadfoot said that he felt that the man who had had the initiative to go out and find a suitable piece of virgin Jand for himself should also have the backing of the State Advances Department. Mr J. W, Munro (Lab., Dunedin N§rth), who followed, expressed the opinion that the Beform Party was not in earnest in its no-confidence motion. It seemed to lack punch. This country was too economically sick at the present time to want to be bothered with such methods. Mr Munro emphasised the need for finding employment for every man in the Dominion, and supported tha plea for the development of the secondary induitries. He expressed the view that there was a wide scope of possibility in the secondary industries if they were granted scientific organisation and the necessary capital to carry out an extension of business. Mr T. Maikitanara (U., Southern Maori) expressed appreciation on behalf of the native race that a Maori elected by Maoris had been placed in the high office of Minister for Native Affairs. This was the first time that this honour had been conferred upon the native race. He also wished to thank the Government for putting into operation the Maori land policy, which was on _ the same footing as the land policy given to the pakeha. Further, he wished to thank the Minister for Public Works for his assistance in finding employment for those Maoris who were out of work. He agreed with previous speakers that it was time for co-operation, and the Beform Party, after telling the people that it would co-operate with the Government in viow of the difficulties of the time, had taken an early opportunity to move a vote of no-confidence.

Railway Policy. Mr H, S. S. Kyle (R., Biccarton) said hit Munns hud on the previous day criticised the General Manager of Railways, hut he (Mr Kyle) contended that the j General Manager should he given a chance. The Reform Party had been criticised for changing the control of the railways, but the present Government had already changed the Miniate- j rial head, and was now setting up a j Commission to conduct an enquiry into the whole of the operations of the Department. Bueh a Commission, he contended, should be entirely removed from political control. 1 Mr J. T. Hogan (Ind., Bangitikei) said he was hopeful of great things being achieved this session. He was of the opinion that the time had come for all Parties to get together and try to solve the problems or the day. He thought the need for curtailing expenditure would not be so great if money* we»e circulated wore freely. What was required to»day was a wave of confidence. He realised that there were difficulties to face, but he did not share the pessimistic views that' had been expressed by some members. He thought the railways could be made to pay Without the dismissal of hands, and he urged the Minister to review his decision on this point. He had known of dismissals on a previous occasion similar to the present, and he ventured to assert that the railways had not saved a penny by doing so. Mr H. G. Dickie (E-, Patea) advocated the West Australian system of land settlement, under which each man was placed on nis own allotment. The only purpose for which they were grouped was for the utilisation of machinery. A man placed on his own section would take an interest in it, and he advised the Minister against breaking in land on the communal principle, Finance. Mr W, & Barnard (Lab., Napier) said there were spheres in which considerable saving in finance could bo effected. Tlierp was scope for saving £ 350,000 on defence, and he suggested that the Government should endeavour to obtain a reduction in New Zealand's annual grant of £135,000 towards the eost of the Singapore Base, He described the no-confidence motion as both useless and unnecessary at the present stage in the country's affairs. The debate was adjourned, and the House rose at 6.30 p.m. till 2,30 p.m. on Tuesday.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Craxss aspocutiost tjex*¥<3hjjk.) WELLINGTON, July 4. The Legislative Council met at 2,30 p.m. to-day. The Coroners' Amendment Bill, Law Practitioners' Amendment Bill, New Zealand University Amendment Bill, Judicature Amendment Bill, Offenders Probation Amendment Bill, and Prevention of Crime (Borstal Institutions Establishment) Amendment Bill were read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. Resuming the debate on the Address-in-Reoiv, the Hon. A. S. Malcolm said he was delighted to know the Government intended to affect economies in the Defence Bill, He did not see the necessity for training an army in times of peace. There did not appear to be any likelihood of a New Zealand force being required overseas in the near future. It was little use training an.

array unless tlicre was some definite objective ahead. The Hon. L. M. Isitt declared that no one would envy the new Prime Minister in the task he had undertaken. If he were in his position he would at once put a tax on luxuries. He condemned the present taxation of racing clubs as inequitable, and went on to suggest that a further tax might he put on amusements. There were some young people who were going to pictures as much as two, three, and four times a week. He also suggested that the liquor trade was not paying its fair share of taxation. There was an all round need for economy, not only on the part of the Government, but on the part of private individuals nS G. 3. Garland expressed pleasure at the fact that the Govern' ment was showing increasing interest in land settlement, and promised them his support in the meantime at least. Referring to the defence system, he said there were too many men drawing laree salaries, and some of tlieni should hived off. Reductions could be made in expenditure on defence, - At 4.30 p.m. the Council adjourned nntil 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, the debate being adjourned on the motion of' the Hon. W. H. Mclntyro.