DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 152, 30 June 1939, Page 8

DAY IN PARLIAMENT

IMPREST SUPPLY DEBATE >

Infusing unaccustomed vigour and punch into his remarks, the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. A. Hamiltori) made out a distinctly telling case for the Opposition when he led off the first full-dress debate of the session on the Imprest Supply Bill in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. His speech took thie form of a general attack on the results of the Government's policy rather than a particular attack, and,he dwelt on the assertion that after three years of almost unprecedented prosperity the Government was still hard up. He had, of course, an ample, supply of material at his command, and he made good-use of it in one of the finest efforts he has made. /.;.-■- As acting Leader of the House, in the absence of the Prime the Hon. P. Fraser took up the gage on behalf of the Government, and in a speech, liberally, punctuated with figures he set out to refute soirie of Mr. Hamilton's charges in the light of some significant facts. Heb/fell back ori statistics for his answer to the questions about Social Security, Post Office Savings Bank, and overseas trade, and they were all new and illuminating, even if they almost reached astronomical proportions at itimes.'-."''.. , --;■./

1 Up to a late hour three other Ministers had entered the lists, the Hon.' D. G. Sullivan, the Hon. W. E. Parry, and the Hon. R. Semple, the last-named concentrating for a time on a twofisted defence of himself against his "character assassins."

Opposition members to a large extent followed the lead given by Mr. Hamilton, /though Mr. J. Hargest (National,' Awarua) was particularly concerned with his pet question of defence,, arid Mr. W.-J. Poison (National, Stratford) shed a tear about the','-farmers. Mr. :W. A. Bodkin (National, Central Otago) had to say something about the "Lee Letter," and was brought to order by Mr/Speaker, while it remained for Mr. S. G. Holland (National, Christchurch North); who was in his keenest debating mood, to refer to the so-called split in the Labour Party not as a split but as a "chasm." This seemed to amuse Government members.

Discussion continued after midnight, arid by 12.40 a.m. the House had disposed of the Imprest Supply Bill, for which urgency had been taken in the afternoon.^ The Bill makes provision for two months'' supply,; representing ari appropriation of £11,418,000.

Among the first items of business when the House assembled yesterday afternoon was the election of a Chairman of - Committees. On the noiriinatibn of the /acting Leader of the House (the Hon. P. Fraser),/Mr R. McKeen (GoTjernmeni Wellington South) was elected to this post.