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Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 253, 22 July 1936, Page 10

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Quiet Resumption Of Parliament LESS THAN 50 MEMBERS Opposition Means To Be Watchful Parliament resumed yesterday afternoon as though there had been no recess for five weeks. There was no ceremony at the reassembly and for the first five minutes or so it looked as though legislators themselves were not particularly interested. Out of a House of 80 there were only -40 members present when the Speaker (Hon. W. E. Barnard) announced that the House had resumed. As the afternoon wore on the attendance improved, but at no time did the muster reach 50. It had been anticipated that there would be a spate of urgent questions, but there was only one, and even that the Minister of Finance (Hon. W. Nash) suggested should be placed on the Order Paper.

The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. JSavage) moved that on and after Wednesday, Government business throughout the session should take precedence, but he explained that members would be given a reasonable opportunity to present their business. The motion was carried without opposition. It was noticed that, although the ranks of the Opposition were thin, the Leader (Rt Hon. G. W. Forbes) was in his place, and that a little later the Rt Hon. J. G. Coates (Opposition, Kaipara), who had made a fast trip from the north, made an appearance. The greater part of the afternoon was given to Ministerial and members’ references to the services paid to Parliament and New Zealand by former legislators who had passed away m recent (nonths. Tributes were paid to the memories of the Hon. Sir William Hall-Jones, M.L.C., Captain J. H. Bradney, formerly Reform member for Auckland West, and Mr. G. H. Smith, former member for Pahiatua. The House adjourned early as a mark of respect to them. ..... In the Legislative Council a tribute was paid to the memory of Sir WIL liam Hall-Jones, who for many years had been a beloved member of the Council. The Council adjourned until next Tuesday. Will .'Correct Mistakes. “It is not possible to frame, laws without causing some hardship,” said the Prime Minister in an interview yesterday, “and the Government will not hesitate to make adjustments where hardship is found to exist. We will have to ease oft for the remainder of this Parliament’s first session, and take particular notice of the effect of the legislation already passed. If neeessary, we must be big enough to admit that we have made mistakes and correct them wherever they may appear. If we find that any part of our legislation is wrong we will correct it.” Opposition Criticised. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Forbes) said that his party would continue to point out to the people of the Dominion any weaknesses in the Government’s legislation. “We have no intention of adopting a defeatist attitude,” said Mr. Forbes, “but we are determined, in spite of the Government’s large majority in the House, to criticise legislation whenever criticism seems warranted. So far I have not seen anv reference to a Taxing Bill. After all, that is the Bill the people of New Zealand are waiting for. Meanwhile the Government apparently Is keeping such a measure in the background.” Mr. Forbes mentioned that a caucus of members of the National Party would be held as soon as possible, and, if practicable, would be held to-day.