DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 114, 10 November 1934, Page 8

DAY IN PARLIAMENT

LAST-MINUTE RUSH

In a last-minute rush both .Houses" ofParliament passed ten Bills yesterday," and all that remains for members to do i today'is to wish one another'the comipliments'of the season before departing for their homes until February next, when the Government will bring down the remainder of its legislative; programme. t \ Only one Bill commanded any attention, and that was the Agriculture i (Emergency Powers) Bill, which provides for a reorganisation of the control ,of the dairy industry, ■ and the setting up of an Executive Commission to control all branches -of primary production and co-ordinate the work of the various export boards. , > The Labour Party again expressed disapproval of the legislation and divided the House on several occasions during the Committee etaga of the Bill. .The short- title was carried .by 37 votes t0.26., The main objection of the Opposition to the measure was that, i while organisation was needed and was I desirable, the first essential was financial relief for th© farmers. ITO this the Government replied that organisation was necessary in order ' that, the amount of relief could be, gauged. .It was also-pointed out that the Government's financial proposals would be placed tyefore the House in February and in the meantime fanners in difficulties could obtain Telief from the moitgage adjustment commissions-. Mr. C.' A. Wilkinson '(Independent, Egmont) moved an amendment in the direction of making' members of the commission, except ■' the Minister of Agriculture, devote their full time to their duty, and that they should have no business on their own account, "or any interest in .business affected by the commission. \ , - The . Minister-' of Agriculture said, that he could not accept' the amendment as it was too wide, but would agree to restore the original qualification that "no member of the,commission shall be engaged in any paid employment, otherwise than as a member of the commission." •■ \ The Prime Minister (the Bt. Honl G. W. Forbes) said that if any^ member of the commission'abused hispositio'n it pouia be reported to Cabinet by ~.the Minister of Agriculture, and that member could be removed by Order' in Council. , ■ Mr. Wilkinson's amendment was defeated by 35 votes to 27, and the Minister's proposal to restore the original clause was adopted. - ' > < The Cinematograph Amendment Bill was put through the remaining stages and passed in a few minutes, and the House' also agreed to the passage of the Thames Borongh Commissioner Amendment Bill, the Woodlands Drainage Board (Bating) Validation Bill, the Noxious Weeds Amendment Bill, the Auckland Transport Board Empowering Bill, the Wellington City Empowering Bill, and the Native Purposes Bill.The Legislative Council subsequently considered the measures which had been passed by the House and had its longest sitting of' the session, rising finally at 11.45 p.m. \ ,