The day in Parliament

Press, 2 June 1984, Page 2

The day in Parliament

PA Wellington Members observed a short silence in Parliament yesterday in memory of Sir Jo n McAlpine, who represented Selwyn from 1946 to 1966. During his career Sir John had held the portfolios of Railways, Marine, Labour, Mines, Transport, and Civil Aviation. He died on January 11 this year. The Speaker, Sir Richard Harrison, expressed the sympathy of members with the family. A "New Zealand Times” article of May 6 about nuclear weapons was referred to the Privileges Committee for a decision on whether it had breached Parliamentary privilege. The Leader of the House, Mr Thomson, said that the House would meet at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday for the moving and seconding of the Address-in-Reply debate, which would continue for the rest of that week. Private members’ notices of motion would be discussed on Wednesday afternoon, he said. The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Maclntyre, presented the petition of Roy Barnes, of Gisborne, calling on the Government to give serious consideration to banning the gin trap. Mr F. D. O’Flynn (Lab, Island Bay) presented the petition of Ganesh Nana, of Newtown, and 19 others calling on the Government to oppose the planned 1985 All Black tour of South Africa and to urge the New Zealand Rugby Union not to proceed with it. Mr T. de V. Hunt (Nat, Pakuranga) presented the petition of J. Haverland and 37 others asking the Government not to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. Mr S. J. Rodger (Lab, Dunedin North) presented the petition of Phyllis Podofsky, of Port Chalmers, and 84 others asking the House to pass legislation recognising the unborn child as a human being. Mr T. J. Young (Lab, Eastern Hutt) presented the petition of Daniel Sinclair, of Lower Hutt, asking the Government to permit CB radio operators to use 27 megahertz. Mr M. A. Connelly (Lab, Yaldhurst) presented the petition of Frank England, of Christchurch, asking the Government to amend the National Provident Fund Act. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Highet, presented the reports of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Board and the New Zealand Patriotic Fund Board and the Canteen Fund Board. The Minister for the Environment, Dr Shearer, presented the report of the Commission for the Environment, the Minister of Lands, Mr Elworthy, presented the report of the Nature Conservation Council and the Valuation Department, the Minister of Customs, Mr Allen, presented the report of the Export Guarantee Office, and the Minister of Housing, Mr Friedlander, presented the report of the National Housing Commission. Members moved nine riotices of motion. Ministers were asked two questions. The Civil List Amendment Bill, introduced by the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, and the Road User Charges Amendment Bill, introduced by the Minister of Works, Mr Friedlander, were referred to the Public Expenditure Committee. The Associate Minister of Finance, Mr Falloon, introduced the Imprest Supply Bill. The House was sitting under urgency to pass the bill. Mr R. 0. Douglas (Lab, Manurewa) put a notice of no-confidence in the Government during the second reading debate. This was lost at a division, 39 votes to 41. The Imprest Supply Bill was given second ana third readings, with both divisions also won by the Government, 41-39. The House rose at 2.40 p.m.