HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 36, 11 August 1927, Page 13

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Th« House of Eepresentatives met at 15.30 p.m. to-day.

Mr. T. M, Wilford (Hutt) gave Jiotiee to ask the Prime Minister whether there is any possibility of the New -Zealand Broadcasting Company paying fo* iu> Plant out of revenue, as even with the paid-up capital of £6300, plus debentures £5000, and plus Government i™ n *ls»°°o, making a toW of £26,----000, the company will be unable to pay the sum of £45,000, which on its own figures is the cost of the plantand whether, seeing that the Government has only a second mortgage seeunty from the company subject to a •(U'enture of £5000 to the Bank of New Zealand, he considers the Government is secure in the event of the revenue of the company falling below the^' optimistic calculation of the two individuals who control the company. Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) gave notice to ask the Minister of Industries and Commerce whether his Department considered that the recent increase in the price of household coal was justified, and whether further steps woujd be taken in the matter. Mr. H. S. Kyle (Biccarton) gave notice to ask the Attorney-General whether public authorities can refuse to comply with the extraordinary atti-. tude of the Australian Performing Bights Association in regard to the taking out of licenses.

Mr. W.'A.Yeitch (Wanganui) gave notice to ask the Minister of Justice r whether.he will issue instructions that an inter© members of the police force travelling in trains and other conveyances in charge of prisoners shall wear plan* clothes, as the wearing of uniforms has a humiliating influence on prisoners.

JC*. W. A. Veiteh gave notice to ask tat a return, showing the amount of travelling expenses, incurred by Sir James Parr when he was Minister of Education.

: : The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. O. J. Hawken), on behalf of the Minister of Industries and Commerce, gave notice to introduce the Kauri Gum Industry. Amendment Bill.

Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Christchurcb Bast) gave notice to ask whether the Government is aware that soldier members of friendly societies are having their economic pensions reduced by the amount of sick pay received from their lodges, and if the Government will this session, amend the law by removing this injustice. On the motion of the Prime Minister a, Select Committee consisting of Messrs. E. J. Howard, E. P. Lee, J. A. Nash, T. K. Sidey, Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. J.. MC. Dickson, and Mr. M. J. Savage was set. up to inquire into the shipping facilities at present existing between the South Island and Australia.

On behalf of the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Prime Minister moved that the Industries and ■ Commerce Committee he set up, and that it should include the name of Mr. A. Harris (Wailemata). "Returned to his spiritual home," remarked Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East) in reference to Mr. Harris. Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central): "The prodigal son returneth." Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui): "When is the Education Committee to be set up?' 1 Mr. Coates: "To-morrow." FINANCIAL DEBATE. ' Besuming the Financial Debate, Mr. W. B. Perry (Auckland Central) said it was a new departure for the Government to lend money on second mortgage, a departure which would require a deal of justification. He referred to the loan of £15,000 to the Broadcasting Company. Mr. Parry said he did not know what the security was. The Hon. W. Nosworthy: "You will mow all about that before I finish." Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui): man is the Government." Mr. Parry said he did not know anything about that. All he knew was. that the shareholders of the company were strong supporters of the Government. The action required some justification, especially in view of the present serious difficulties the country was labouring under. Mr. Parry' said he maintained that the Budget should be more in the nature of a national bal-ance-sheet, similar to the balance-sheet of an ordinary company. At least the Budget should supply information as to the total production of the country, but also as to how it was ditsributed. Members were quite unable to trace how the total production of £116,000,----000 in 192S had been distributed. Mr. Parry went on to refer to dissatisfaction amongst members of the Public Service as to their share of the national income.. It was impossible to say whether the farmers, the wage workers, or anyone else were receiving a fair share of the national income. People of the country were as the shareholders in a company, and should not be refuged a statement. Members of the House had to assume in the circumstances that if the- information was given it would Tevcal what the Government was doing. The speaker referred to the various difficulties of the country at the present time, and stressed their seriousness. We were called upon by the Government to be content and wait for a revival of trade for restoration of prosperity. ,He asked for some Teal reasoning from the Government benches in respect of the problems he had referred to, and 3uggested the setting np of a committee to consider the serious problems the country was faced with. If Parliament then considered the recommendations of the committee the Government would be doing something of real service to the Dominion. The most important measures before the House this session were known as the three B's—the Bible, Betting, and Beer. the House this session were known as the three B's—the Bible, Betting, and Beer. A voice: "Booze." "Well," said Mr. Parry, "whatever you' like to call it; you know better than I do." He went on to refer to the Beligious Exercises Bill as "that Miserable little document," when he was called to order, amidst laughter, by Mr. Speaker. A voice: "Merely a kindly reference." , Mr. Parry went on to apply the term "a policy of commercial cannibalism" to the Bill ho had referred to, when he was again called to order by Mr. Speaker. . The late Prime Minister had always said they were turning the corner, and Mr. Coates was saying the same thing. Any man who attempted to deal with the situation as he saw it was called a. pessimist and a Jeremiah. The present was the time for evory mcniboi 1 to be open and frank about the cause of the country's difficulties. The only answer the Prime Minister gave was that they were turning the corner. Mr. Coates: "Wo are in the straight." Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West): **Wbat about the water jump?" . Mit %5Z asked Tritafc wag gte good

of telling the people that the condition existing was world-wide.

They were compelled to sit there week after week and listen to tho same old statement that conditions were tvorld-wide. Mr. Coates: "Whore there are Labour Governments, they are a little worse," ' ■ Mr. Parry i "Oh, no I" Mr. Parry said that Britain was no longer tho workshop of the world. She had lost her position. The Hon. G. J. Anderson: "Are you pleased?" Mr. J. M'Combs (Lyttelton): "What a silly interjection.'' Another voice: "What about the strike 2" Mr. Coates: "She is still the greatest country."

(Left E'tting.)