CHAMBER AND LOBBY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 10, 6 October 1927, Page 10

CHAMBER AND LOBBY

FISHING INDUSTRY OFF-SHORE SURVEY PROPOSED In the Legislative Council last night the Hon. G. M. Thomson moved that in the opinion of the Council a survey of the coastal waters of New Zealand by means of sonic depth finders should be undertaken by the Government in the interests of the fishing community. The motion was seconded by the Hon. G. J. Garland. The Hon. Sir James Allen said the time had come when the future of the fishing industry in New Zealand had to be seriously considered. The Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie supported the motion. He urged the need for a more detailed survey of the West Coast Sounds. The motion was carried. MR. ISITT’S STANDING HOUSE COMMITTEE INTERLUDE. The position of the Hon. L. M. Isitt, M.L.C., who has been an interested onlooker at the proceedings of the Education Committee of the House of Representatives, which is hearing evidence regarding the Religious" Exercises in Schools Bill, was questioned yesterday by a member of the committee. When the time approached for the luncheon adjournment, it was mentioned that two other witnesses were present, and desired to give evidence. Mr. Isitt, who was seated near the chairman (Mr. R. P. Hudson) said he had arranged for the Rev. V. E. Harry and the Rev. W. M. Holland to attend that morning to give their evidence in support of the Bill. They would be very brief. Mr. P. Eraser (Wellington Central) : What is Mr. Isitt’s standing here? He is not a member of both Houses. Mr. H. Atmore (Nelson) : He is adviser to Mr. Holland (who is in charge of the Bill). Mr. Eraser: Oh, that is different. The chairman explained the arrangements made in respect of the taking of . evidence. Mr. Isitt and Mr. Holland had conferred with him oh the matter, and had arranged for their witnesses to attend that morning. Mr. Eraser: “The hand is the hand of Esau, but the voice is the voice of Jacob.” The chairman: To what do you refer ? Mr. Eraser: This is a House of Representatives committee, and a member of the Upper House has no standing here. The chairman said it was desirable to meet the convenience of witnesses. Mr. C. E. Bellringer (Taranaki) said it would be unfair to witnesses to rush them in any way. The Rev. F. E. Harry said he was as busv as any member of Parliament. His evidence would take only a very few' minutes. After further discussion, the evidence of the two witnesses was taken. AUCKLAND TRANSPORT SITUATION INQUIRIES TO BE MADE. A promise that he would have inquiries made into the latest developments in the Auckland transport situation was made by the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives yesterdav, when replying to a question by Mr. V. H. Potter (Roskill). Mr. Coates said that as far as his memory served him the general understanding was that fares would not be increased or sendees curtailed by the City Council if the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act were passed. Apart from the representations which had been made by Mr. Potter, he had no knowledge of dissatisfaction with the services on the part of the people in the outer districts in Auckland, but he would certainly make it his business to have inquiries made.

The petition of Elizabeth Hunter, of Petone, who asked for a compassionate allowance on account of her husband’s services in the Defence Forces, was yesterday referred to the Government by the Defence Committee for favourable consideration.

St. Peter’s Parish Endowment Fund Bill was passed by the House of Representatives without amendment yesterday.

Pageant of Industries. —The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) will open the Pageant of Industries at the Town Hall at 8 n.m. on October 25. There will be other speakers, to be announced later, on succeeding nights.