HISTORIC SESSION ENDS
FINANCE BILL' PASSED SEASON’S GREETINGS EXCHANGED MR. SPEAKERS ADIEU Parliament yesterday concluded its business for the time being, and, incidentally, one of the most momentous sessions of the past quarter of a century. The Finance Bill was passed without amendment at 3.35 a.m., after a debate which had commenced at 7.30 p.m. the previous day. The House resumed at 11.30 a.m., when formal business was transacted, and the season’s greetings were exchanged. Mr. Speaker, in acknowledging the good wishes of members, complimented the Government on their conduct in the hour of victory and the Opposition on the manner in which they had accepted defeat. Before the House rose, at 1.10 p.m., the Prime Minister announced the appointment of a Select Committee to make inquiries during the recess in regard to the question of daylight sittings for Parliament.
FINANCE BILL’ END OF DEBATE MEASURE PASSED BY HOUSE The second reading debate on the Finance Bill, continued after “The Dominion” went to press, ended at 3.15 a.m. yesterday. . In the course of his reply, the Prime Minister (Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) said that by some mistake he had conveyed the impression that money would not be provided for redemption purposes, but he could assure the House that he did not mean that. He favoured the idea that men should be able to get advances for mortgage redemption, and that was part of the policy of the State Advances Office. He was not going to allow the Opposition members to misrepresent the position by asking him where the £70,000.000 was, but he undertook to say that provision would be made to carry out what they wanted to do in the next six months.
“Before we have had time to breathe, when we have been only three days in office, honourable members are asking: Where is the £70,000,000?” Sir Joseph Ward declared. “Do they think we are super-men? They want the impossible. If we live as a Government, with the assistance of our friends in the House, we will put our policy on the Statute Book, 1 believe. Our friends opposite say we belong to the 1.0. U. party, the squan-der-eash party. That is the sort of cheap criticism we get. It is a fair thing to give us time to know where we are. The House must give us an opportunity to consider our proposals fairly and fully. We are very anxious to do the right thing. I regret exceedingly I cannot do what I wanted to do, but we will carry on for the next six months with.our plans.”
The Bill was read a second time on the voices at 3.15 a.m., and the House went into Committee.
At that stage Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) inquired about “the mysterious document” referred to by Sir Joseph Ward. Could not members be let into the secret?
Sir Joseph Ward said he was not casting reflections on his predecessors in that connection. Neither he nor the late Minister of Finance could give the particulars, as to do so might do the country harm. It had made his own position very difficult, and would have made Mr. Stewart’s position difficult, too, had he carried on in office. All he could say was that it was a very delicate financial matter, which could not be bruited abroad. The Hon. W. I>. Stewart said that Sir Joseph Ward had correctly stated the position. “The only additional point I want to make in fairness to myself,” added Mr. Stewart, “is that I did not want to hamper Sir Joseph Ward by coming to a decision On the matter, as it was a policy question on which my successor might take a different view.” The matter had arisen during the course of the election campaign, added Mr. Stewart. The Bill was reported from Committee without amendment, and read a third time. HANDS ACROSS THE HOUSE SEASON’S GREETINGS EXCHANGED TRIBUTES TO MR. SPEAKER The final incident of the session was the exchange of season’s greetings between members. "As we have completed the business of this short and somewhat historic session it devolves upon me to say a few words of farewell to you, Mr. Speaker,” said the Prime Minister (Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) just before the adjournment. "As it is only recently that we had the pleasure of expressing our appreciation of your services, I do not propose to extend my remarks beyond acknowledging the excellent way in Which the House has been ruled and the kindness extended by you impartially to members on every side of the House.” He wished Sir Charles Statham a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. He hoped that the festive season would be one of peace and goodwill and that every member of Parliament would come back next year in the best of health. He also wished Sir Charles Statham to convey to Lady Statham the Very best wishes of the House and the greetings of the season. “I desire on behalf of the members on this side of the House to associate myself with the remarks of the right honourable gentleman in wishing both yourself and Lady Statham a prosperous and a happy New Year,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Right Hon. J. G. Coates). He hoped the recess Would be most profitable, politically, and in every other sense. (Laughter.) Further, he trusted that the New Year would usher in a era of prosperity for New Zealand. He was quite sure that it was the earnest desire of every member of the House to assist in making the Dominion the envy of the world. Hi conclusion Mr. Contes expressed his personal thanks to the staff, including the messengers and the manager of Bellamy’s, for their services. “This has been a most historic session,” remarked Mr. Coates. ‘ and 1 am sure not only has history been made out the standard of the New Zealand larliament has been well maintained. 1 desire to offer to you all my very best wishes for a prosperous and happy b>ew Ypui* The Leader of the Labour Party (Mr. H. ]?. Holland) endorsed the sentiments expressed by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. He was quite sure flint every side of the House appreciated the manner in which the business of Parliament had been conducted, also the excellent services rendered by the staff. He hoped that those on the staff who were not in ncriminent employment would be f fl need before the holidays. He was sure the Governmbeut would do everything possible in that direction. In
RENT RESTRICTION CONTINUANCE ASKED FOR DEBATE IN UPPER HOUSE Criticism of the Rent Restriction Act' and of the inclusion in the Finance Bill of a clause tor its continuance was heaid in the, Legislative Council yesterday morning. The general opinion expressed in regard to unemployment rates was that the Government would be well advised to proceed carefully with jts proposals. The Bill was put through all stages, urgency being accorded it. The Leader of the Council (Hon. T. K. Sidey), iu introducing the Bill, explained the provisions with regard to the contiuuunce of the Rent Restriction Act, and suid he hoped there would be no objection to the extension. Speaking on the Bill generally, _ the Right lion. Sir Robert Stout said it was not known why the additional borrowing should be required, but he did not intend discussing that matter. He thought it was much to be regretud that the clause regarding rent restriction had been included in the Bill. He believed that the measure placed in an unfair position old people who were dependent for their livelihood upon rents from tenants. The Hon. W. Earnshaw considered that rent restriction had in no way eased the situation in regard to the renting of houses in New Zealand. lie was of the opinion that if there had been no measure of that kind the position would have readjusted itself. The extension of the measure next August could only be a stop-gap. There was no indication that the Government in the immediate future was going to make any drastic proposals to meet the situation. So far as the existing measure was concerned, it was no solution at all. He considered that many of the shacks in Wellington city were not worth £5O and that they should be “wiped off the face of the earth.” He thought the provision of housing accommodation for the community should be a matter for local authorities rather than for the Government, which latter, however, should value all buildings nnd allow the landlord to charge rents on 'the valuation. Unless the landlord wished to use the buildings for business purnoses, jhen he should not be allowed to charge indigent people the full interest, on the increment of the land.
In dealing with the proposal to pay 14s. a day to unemployed. Mr. Earnshaw asked if the Prime Minister realised that he was going to denude the farmers of the country of labourers? Tliat “vagabondage labour” was not for the welfare of the country. lie was not nttnekhir the Government but merely dealing with the lines the proposal must follow. The payment of a standard wage of 145.. irrespective of the service in return, shadowed disaster for any country, and the Government needed to move very carefully in the matter.
The Right Hon. Sir Francis Bell pointed out that the Government had onlv just come into office and it desired to 'look into the matter of rent restriction. In order that that might be done the Government asked that the existing legislation, expiring on January 1, be continued for. a further term. That the high rates at present were existent in their most serious form in Wellirmtou city was remarked by Mr. J. Bn*. He tto Mr. Earnshaws remark about ‘ vijgrfKmflage labour” was not hitendr.L He said there was a large body Of mdu looking for' a fair days work at a fair day’s pay, and that they could oct grt. He considered it out Of place that an extraneous matter such as rent restriction should be tagged on to a Finance Bill.
The Hon. T. 8. Weston considered the labour question required very eareful consideration. . . , , The Hun. T. K. Sidey noiiited out that the 14s- - er day related to country workers only. He thought the inclusion of the rent restriction clause in the Finance Bill was allowable owing to the exceptional circumstances existThe- Bill went through all its stages and was passed.
conclusion, Mr. Holland wished all memof the House a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. “I desire to offer my Sincere thanks to the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and Mr. Uollaiid for their kind remarks,” said Sir Charles Statham, in replying. would like to take this opportunity of saying that while this has been, as was stated, a momentous session, it lias also been a remarkable one. I want to congratulate those who succeeded in the no-confidence motion upon the manner in which they conduct ed themselves in the hour of victory, and I want to offer my congratulations to the Leader of the Opposition and to those around him, on the manner in which they accepted their defeat. (Hear, hear.) I only speak as the referee—(laughter)— but I would also like to say that another thing that characterised this short and somewhat strenuous session was the feeling of friendship on all sides of the House. I would like to add that from the chair I have allowed very great latitude, more latitude than I should have allowed. (Laughter.) I can only promise hou. members that when they come back in June I shall not allow nearly the same latitude.” (Renewed laughter. Sir Charles returned thanks to the speakers for their expressions of good wishes, and in turn wished members the compliments of the season. He appreciated the kind references- to his wife, and would have pleasure in conveying the greetings of the House to her. He also thanked the staff for their splendid services. “I wish you all au revoir. I can wish you au revoir With much more confidence than I could on the last occasion.” He concluded, amidst laughter. The traditional division for the adjournment of the House was then taken, resulting in a tie. Mr. Speaker gave his casting vote, “not to leave things as they were, but to suit the convenience of members.” (Laughter.) Members '.joined in the singing of the National Anthem.
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Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 70, 15 December 1928, Page 10
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2,085HISTORIC SESSION ENDS Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 70, 15 December 1928, Page 10
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