COMMENT FROM THE CAPITAL

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28323, 8 July 1957, Page 12

COMMENT FROM THE CAPITAL

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter)

WELLINGTON, July 7. Any doubt that the Prime Minister’s deputy—Mr K. J. Holyoake, Minister of Agriculture —would automatically assume leadership of the Government if Mr Holland retired, has been virtually eliminated. In the last few weeks during Mr Holland’s illness, Mr Holyoake has given an impressive display of his abilities.

Mr Holyoake is also quietly winning friends among the Opposition. An example of the way he has done this was seen in the House of Representatives on Thursday when Miss M. B. Howard (Opposition, Sydenham) became involved 1 in a crosschamber argument after saying it was a pity her Cruelty to Animals Bill had come on at such a time as 5 p.m. Mr Holyoake graciously moved an adjournment of the House before its due time of rising for tea to enable Miss Howard to lead the second reading debate of the bill on the coveted evening air at 730 pan. Frozen Food

A single cob of sweet corn packed in dry ice will be flown to Britain next week. A quickfrozen vegetables and fruit company is consigning the cob to see how it stands up to a long flight. If the test is successful more air shipments will be made. Nostalgia As members of the Opposition returned to the chamber of the House of Representatives on Thursday afternoon after a division had been called on their no-confidence motion. Mr P. G. Connolly (Opposition, Dunedin Central) was walking back with Mr R. M. Macfarlane (Opposition, Christchurch Central) between the Treasury benches ana remarked wistfully: “Doesn’t it make you feel homesick when you go over to the ‘Ayes’ lobby, Bob?” “Blood Chita”

Civilians, who travel in armed services ships or aircraft are required to sign before they start a form indemnifying the service and the Government against claims by them or their heirs in the event of death or injury tp themselves. The Air Force is reported to have received a claim for £lO,OOO damages from the widow of a man killed recently. The man is said not to have signed a “blood chit.” Death Penalty

Parliament this session will again debate the death penalty. When the subject was before the House of Representatives last year (Mr W. T. Anderton’s Crimes Amendment Bill to abolish capital punishment) the Government announced its intention of opening the question to a decision of the people in a referendum to be held with the 1957 General Election. Legislation is now pending to give power to hold the referendum. Mr Macfarlane’s Hand

The left hand of Mr R. M. Macfarlane (Opposition, Christchurch Central) has been in the' wars

again. This week he has been wearing a large piece of sticking plaster over a gash which his hand took when a flagon of water he was lifting broke at the neck. A few weeks ago, the same hand, which is missing a forefinger, was burned in a wastepaper basket fire in the Mayoral chambers in Christchurch. Power Report Although the Minister of Works (Mr W. S. Goosman) has denied that there is a “second power report,” it is known that the plan released by his State Hydroelectric Department has other unofficial competitors. A barrage of questions on the subject was directed at Mr Goosman by Opposition speakers this week in Parliament. Mr R. Boord (Opposition, Rotorua) asked him to table the Works Department’s report in the House or make an

official statement releasing its findings. Denying there was a second report, Mr Goosman read the House a letter from the Commissioner of Works (Mr F. H. M. Hanson) but the letter referred not to- points raised by Mr Boord but to a report of a speech by Mr A. H. Nordm eyer (Opposition, Island Bay) who had been reported as saying Mr Hanson opposed the Cook Strait power cable. Mr Hanson said in his letter as read by Mr Goosman that he thought' the cable was a “sound conception.”

When the Minister finished reading the letter there were calls from Opposition members for him _to answer Mr Boord’s question but Mr Goosman said nothing

more. Address-in-Reply As more than 60 speakers had done before him, Mr D. C. Seath (Government, Waitomo) rose in the House of Representatives late in the Week to congratulate the

mover and seconder of the Address-in-Reply. The debate Had dragged wearily and tediously on since June 12 and most persons had almost forgotten when it had started and who had spoken first. The mover: Mr D. C. Seath (Government, Waitomo). Governor-General’s Salary When the Civil List Bill increasing the salary of the GovernorGeneral from £5OOO a year to £6500, Mr Hackett (Opposition, Grey Lynn) asked: “Are you finding it hard to fill job?” The Minister of Finance (Mr J. T. Watts): No trouble at all.

Hearing Aids Individual earphones will be supplied to two members of the House of Representatives for use in the chamber. They are Messrs F. L. A. Gotz (Government, Manukau) and R. Boord (Opposition, Rotorua) both of whom suffer from deafness. Cross-benchers will have small amplifiers mounted behind their seats to enable them to hear better. In the past, Mr Gotz has had a tiny Japanese radio tuned to 2YA on his desk to help him hear what has been going on in the House. His new earpiece will be wired direct to the broadcasting panel in the House. “Sleep in Petone”

The Mayor of Petone (Mr J. Huggan) has started a lively campaign “to get people to sleep in Petone.”

The reason: Every additional person who goes to sleep regularly in Petone means an extra 22s a year for the Petone Borough Council. The National Roads Board pays this amount for each head of population towards the upkeep of streets and footpaths.

“Too many of the people who work in Petone factories live in those dormitory suburbs in the Hutt Valley,” said Mr Huggan. “They use our roads and wear them down, yet we have to pay for the upkeep. It is not sporting.” Mr Huggan’s solution: Luxury skyscraper flats to entice the dormitory dwellers back to the borough.

Mr Holland Back At Work Today (New Zealand. Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 7. The Prime Minister (Mr Holland) will return to Parliament Buildings and resume work in his office tomorrow morning, unless some unexpected development causes a change in plans, it was announced by the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.

Mr Holland’s health has shown steady improvement since he was instructed by his doctors to remain at home after being afflicted about six weeks ago with the effects of an earlier back injury.