PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 151, 29 June 1938, Page 15

PARLIAMENT

TODAY'S PROCEEDINGS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House of Representatives met today at 2.30 p.m.

Mr. R. A. Wright (Independent, Wellington Suburbs) gave notice to ask the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) if he Was aware that owing to the high cost of production some clothing manufacturers had been compelled to reduce considerably the number of men and women in their employ; if so, would steps be taken this session to improve conditions in this trade by restricting excessive importation from foreign countries?

"One firm was employing a stall of SB "at the end of last year," said Mr. Wright, "but today the'factory is idle, it being unable to compete with goods manufactured outside New Zealand.'.'

Mr. S. G. Holland (National, Christchurch North) gave notice to ask the Minister of Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) if liis attention had been drawn to a reported statement of Mr. Justice Hunter, President of the Second Court of Arbitration, to the effect that the Court was not concerned in the matter of an industry's ability to pay the rates of wages provided for in awards of the Court, and whether the Minister intended to, introduce legislation this session, directing the Court to take into consideration the matter of each industry being able to pay the rates of wages provided for in awards. Mr. W. P. Endean (National, Farnell) gave notice to ask the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) if the Government would bring down legislation to increase the scale of pay of the land forces so as to encourage the rising generation to defend their country. Mr. Endean said that the land forces at present were deplorably weak in equipment, training, and numbers. Labour laughter greeted a notice of question put to the > Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) by Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (National, Riccarton) who asked whether the Government agreed with the statement made by the member for Westland recently +hat it should take over th'e Bank of New Zealand.; > IMPREST SUPPLY* BILL. The Prime Minister gave notice to seek urgency for the passing of an Imprest Supply Bill, which makes financial provision for the carrying on of the State services. The of the Opposition (the Hoii. A. Hamilton) said that he wanted to ask a few questions and to get some information. There was, he said, likely to be a good deal of money involved in the Bill, and it was well that the public should know the details as to how the money was collected and spent. It was essential for the welfare of democracy that they should have the clearest information regarding public affairs. The Government was apt to cause confusion in the explana-. tion of some of its financial matters, and this confusion made it difficult for the public to understand the correct position. (Proceeding.)