POLITICAL NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 45, 21 August 1930, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES

THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Although the House of Bepresenta-

tives experienced a measure of relaxation at yesterday's sitting after the lengthy hours of work earlier in the week, an appreciable amount of progress was made. The afternoon business was curtailed on account of the death- qf Sir George Hunter, member for Waipawa; after fitting tributes had been paid to his memory, the ■ House adjourned as a mark' of respect until the evening. The report of the Special Committee of the House on the Unemployment Bill was then presented, and some surprise was expressed that only minor amendments had been made, the main policy proposals standing intact. Both the Minister of Labour and the Prime Minister intimated that they wished the measure to be made as workable as possible, and to-that end they invited amendments for its improvement when the Committee stage was reached. Before moving the adjournment at 10 p.m., the Prime Minister had introduced by Governor-Gen-eral's' Message the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill and the Land and Income Tax (Annual) Bill, giving effect to the Government's Budget proposals affecting land and income tax, and promised amendments to the Finance Bill. The Legislative \ Council, sitting in the afternoon, passed the Presbyterian Church Property Amendment Bill, the Managers of St. Paul's "Presbyterian Congregation (Oamaru) Bill, the Law Practitioners' Amendment Bill, the New Zealand University Amendment Bill, the Judicature Amendment Bill, the Offenders' Probation Amendment Bill, the Prevention of Crimo (Borstal Institutions Establishment) Amendment Bill, and the Coroners' Amendment Bill. "A DETESTABLE BILL." After a brief discussion, the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon passed the Finance Bill. The Eight Hon. Sir Francis Bell took strong exception to the Bill, but in view of the special circumstances he refrained from opposition. Speaking on the third reading, Sir Francis Bell said that in ordinary circumstances he would have opposed every clause of the Bill. He detested every clause. The Hon. K. M'Callum said he resented very much the attitude which Sir Francis Bell had adopted. It appeared that party feeling was being introduced into the Council. There was no doubt that the Government had to find revenue. The Hon. Sir William Hall-Jones said everybody knew that the present Prime Minister was not responsible for the financial position of the country. They had to go further back than that for the cause of their present difficulties. QUESTION OF EXPENSES. Regret that the Government was not meeting the expenses of the AttorneyGeneral (the Hon. Sir Thomas Sidey) on his trip to theB'lmperial Conference was expressed in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon. The matter was introduced by the Hon. A. S. Malcolm, who said he was sure the people of New Zealand would not object to the payment of Sir Thomas's expenses. The Hon. G. J. Garland said the Council should forward its opinion on the subject to the. right quarter. The Attorney-General said he appreciated the sentiments which had been expressed by Councillors. It was at his own suggestion that his expenses were not being paid, but at the same time he assured the Council that when he reached London he would be a fully accredited representative of New Zealand. ' (Applause.)