DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 119, 16 November 1937, Page 8

DAY IN PARLIAMENT

FIRST MONDAY SITTING

Perhaps the enervating weather, had something to do with it, but there was not the usual beginning-of4he-week sparkle and energy about the House of Representatives yesterday. On the other hand, it may have been the Monday sitting. Probably it was a combination of both. At any rate, interest in the proceedings was for the moat part desultory, and at one stage the attendance in the chamber dwindled to the bare quorum. Except for one moment at the start of the afternoon's proceedings—when Mr. R. McKeen (Government Whin) moved for leave of absence for Mr. G. H. O. Wilson (Government, Ranßitikei) on account of illness, while Mr. Wilson sat behind him in his full strength and vigour—and another moment, two minutes before the House rose last night—when Mr. D. McDougall findependent, Mataura), in his usual peremptory manner, refused Mr. J. Hargest (National, Awarua), an extension of time—proceedings were extremely colourless. The day was useful to the extent that it cleared.up a certain amount of formal business, but no very substantial progress was made- ;

The Electoral Amendment Bill, which reverts to. the system of the three-year Parliament, was introduced in the afternoon, and the Minister of Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb) tabled his Department's report. The House discussed departmental reports for the rest of the afternoon, some prominence being given to that of the Mental Hospitals report. In the evening the second reading debates on two Bills—the Sale of Wool Bill and the Physical Welfare and Recreation Bill—were instituted, that on the former being disposed of. .