TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 92, 20 April 1931, Page 9

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House of. Representatives met at 12.30 p.m. to-day. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Independent, Eginont) gave notice to ask the Prime • Minister -whether he would indicate to the House what steps the Government intended to tako in connciition with Kew Zealand's representation at the Ottawa Imperial Conference in August next. Mr. G. C. Black (Independent, Motueka) intends to ask the Prinio Minister whether he would indicate to the House how soon a new Tariff Treaty would be entered into between New Zealand and the Commonwealth of Australia. LOCAL BODY DEBENTURES. Mr. B. Semplo (Labour, Wellington East) asked the Prime Minister (the ."Right Hon. G. W. Forbes) (1) whether it had come to the knowledge of the Prime Minister'that-the Bank of New Zealand ■ had purchased debentures of one or more local authorities expiring this year, in order to exercise a power iir the debentures to change the domicil- and place of payment of the debentures to London, and thereby deprive the local authorities -of this ra.rc opportunity of setting a sain under the existing exchange conditions against the serious losses that they li.-ive already- sustained; (2) whether the Government as a partner'approved of such transaction, and if. it did not, whether it would take stops to prevent this transaction being completed, or at once tako steps to authorise the loenl authorities' to make payment in New Zealand, and so prevent this exploitation of the local authorities. The Prime Minister replied that the ■matter had not come to his knowledge snrl he asked Mi-. Semple to put the question on the order paper so that inquiries could fo,e; made. Mr. Semple: "I am prepared to do that, but the matter i 3 one of real urgency." ■ ■ ' THE GENERAL ELECTION... ■Mr. J. O'Brien (Labour, TVcstland) asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the .persistent rumours: which had been circulated tha-t the General Election was to be postponed he would inform the House and the country- if it. was the intention of /the Government to hold the elections at the usual time. The Prime Minister said the honourable member might be able to inform him- who was- responsible for the persistent rumours. "I' have not heard of them myself," said Mr. Forbes, "and so far aa the Government is concerned there has-been no suggestion of altering the present arrangements." • Mr.C. H. Chapman (Labour, Wellington North) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister or Minister of Railways whether immediate Bteps would be taken to prevent the sale of the furniture of the house in which railway cadets had housed, for the purpose of utilising the same for. women ■■ in Wellington, who may be destitute. X.ATE MR. A. W. HALL. In moving a motion of sympathy to the'widow.1 and relatives of the late Mr. A, "W. Hall, M.P. for Hauraki, the P/ime Minister (the Hon. G. W. Forbes) Wferred to the late member's services over many years on the locarbodies in his district. "Every member must ihaya felt a shock," said the Prime Minister, "when the news came that one of the members and a friend of all had passed away." . Mr. Hall had taken part in the work of tho session, and ho had earned the greatest respect of all. His genial character had endeared him to all members of the House. v The Leader 'of the Opposition (the .-Right Hon. J. G. Coates), in seconding ithe motion, supported what Mr. Forbes had said. Although not , physically strong, Mr. Hall had shown an extraordinary amount of energy'in carrying out his duties. He was a man of ' strong convictions, and believed that ■-the principles he followed were thoroughly s6und. He was a fervent Christian; and in that spirit he was guided 'in his political life. ' It was characteristic' of Mr. Hall that he never en- " deavoured to, force his .opinions on ' others, and thus he made many friends "and--got on well with, everyone. He -•was a, man of extraordinary loyalty, ■ he was trusted far and wide, and had never been known to commit any broach of confidence. In, conclusion, Mr. «oates said that tho deceased gentleman ivas a man of great heart, fine instincts, and fine characteristics. Mr. M.J. Savage (Labour,' Auckland West) claimed a -long friendship with Mr. Hall, and paid a warm tribute to his memory. He haa made a lost of friends amongst his opponents as well as those who'were associated with, him politically. Mr. Hall had' won. the greatest of all monuments —the esteem of 'his fellow-men. ■ Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Independent, Grey Lynn) associated, tho Independents -with the sentiments expressed by the. pre/ious ' speakers. Mr. A. Harris (Reform, Waitcmata.) also paid a tribute to the memery d£ tho late. Mr. Hall, who had won the affection of all those associated' with him. . The Minister of Health (the Hon. A. ,T. Stallworthy) paid further tributes, describing Mr. Hall as a Christian' gentleman. Further speeches eulogising the departed member's' good qualities \were made by Messrs.- A. E. Ansell (Reform, Chalmers), D. G. Sullivan (Labour, Avon), G. B. Sykes (Reform, Masterton), and J. O'Brien (Labour, Wostland). ' The motion was carried, and tho House adjourned at 3.10 p.m. as a mark of respect to .Mr. Hall's memory until 7.30 this evening. .