Comment From The Capital Parliament’s First Week Goes Briskly

Press, Volume C, Issue 29555, 3 July 1961, Page 12

Comment From The Capital Parliament’s First Week Goes Briskly

(By Our Wellington Correspondent) WELLINGTON, July 2. With its first full working week behind it, Parliament appears to have got away to a better start than has been the case for a number of years. There is no possibility of the cry being raised again, as it was two years ago, that “the House is running out of business.”

When Parliament rose on Friday there were 16 bills on the main Order Paper, all at the second reading stage. Three other bills had been granted a second reading pro forma and passed on to the appropriate committees. In addition, five local bills had been moved through the introductory stages and into the hands of the Local Bills Committee.

This is not likely to be the end of things. When the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall) hinted recently that the Government had 30 bills ready for presentation, he did not err on the optimistic side. The introduction of up to 16 more is expected next week. With 25 speeches delivered in the Address-in-Reply debate, it seems likely that this sessional pipe-opener will conclude about July 14, although this depends greatly on how much time is taken up by the External Affairs debate scheduled for Monday and Tuesday night and t.he probability of a special European Economic Community debate on July 11.

Two committees have been set up to consider the reform of Parliamentary procedure and the possible improvement of measures for delegated authority. In ail, these add up to good progress for a matter of five working days. By comparison, at this stage of last year’s session only six bills wore on the Order Paper, and another bad been passed through to its committee. The main Parliamentary topic was then the Nelson Railway, whereas this time the decision has been split between railway fare increases, the closing of branch lines, and the increased postoffice charges. The New Speaker The House is happier under the new Speaker (Mr Algie) than it was last year under Mr Macfarlane. Mr Algie's function is easier since the Government has a good working majority. Mr Algie has been rather nervous in discharging his new responsibilities. His eyesight is not strong, and he has some difficulty in singling out Interjectors and members seeking the "call” to speak However, he is overcoming this handicap, and the indications are that his fine legal mind and impartial attitude will carry him through his term with distinction. His handling of some of the minor duties of his office has already lent it distinction.

Mr Algie does not spare his own party. Already he has censured the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) for indulging in the old Parliamentary pastime of asking questions across the House. In several .other ways he has upheld Opposition appeals. It would seem that, whatever their expressed misgivings about the Chairman of Committees (Mr R. E Jack). Opposition members are quite happy under Mr Algie’s control Challenge to Debate Three Christchurch members were involved in an argument which developed in Parliament on Thursday night over the recently completed bilateral air agreement between Australia and New Zealand

Mr J. Mathison Opposition. Avon) repeated his challenge to the Minister in charge of Civil Aviation (Mr McAlpine) to debate the subject publicly. preferably in Christchurch. When the Minister of Finance (Mr Lake) interjected. Mr Mathison included Mr Lake in the invitation.

After criticising Mr McAlpine for not sending him a copy of the agreement, end after admitting that “all I know about it is what I have read in the newspapers." Mr Mathison said that in debate

he could prove that it was the worst agreement that had ever been signed by New Zealand with Australia.

"I can prove that the agreement is distinctly to the advantage of Australia, and that it will be almost impossible from 1964 onwards, on the termination of the present agreement, for T.E.A.LJ, the New Zealand-owned airline, to get worth-while rights with other countries,” said Mr Mathison.

Mr Mathison said that the arrangement for New Zealand to buy out the Australian holding in T.E.A.L. had been virtually completed when he was Minister in charge of Civil Aviation. Australia had a few reservations, which were not palatable to the previous Government.

If Mr McAlpine ’ had accepted these reservations, T.E.A.L. would In future be the handmaiden in the Pacific area for 8.0.A.C. and Qantas, and it would be extremely difficult for New Zealand to get a worthwhile agreement with the United States, "which in my time threatened to withdraw from the New Zealand scene if New Zealand accepted the Australian conditions." Mr McAlpine interjected, denying that all Australian reservations had been accepted.

The need for a closer Integration of scientific research in New Zealand, and tor much more research generally. was emphasised by Mr H. J. Walker (Government. St Albans) during his maiden speech in the House. Mr Walker said that last year New Zealand spent annroxlmately £4m on scientific research, or about 0.33 per cent, of the national income. Britain in 1958-59 spent 2.3 per cent, of her national income on research, the United State* 2.7 per cent., and Western Germany 1.2 oer cent "Between 1956 and 1959 Britain doubled her evnen'*'ture on civil research.” Mr Walker said. “The expenditure trends of onr own Department of Scientific and ’nduHriai Research tell a different story. In 1949-50 it was £536,000: In 1959-60, £ *B7 000— in round figures, £50,000 less” Mankind, which is always in rebellion against the prenhets, nevertheless ends by anolauding them heartily.— George N. Shuster.

Mr Mathison: Australia has already given the United States rights to take passengers from Australia across the Tasman. She did that three years ago. but has insisted al! the time that we ought not to give America the same rights. Has she done that again? » Has Australia forced the Minister? I believe “forced" is the right word, because of the difficult financial situation in this country. The acceptance of those reservations will mean that we have no Internationa! airline in the real sense of the word. Mr Lake: The honourable gentleman is crystal-gazing. Mr Mathison: I do not think the Minister of Finance knows the first thing about this. If the Minister In charge of Civil Aviation will not accept a challenge to a debate in Christchurch, perhaps the Minister of Finance will. I bet he does not. Need for Research