Provisional Finance

Evening Star, Issue 20049, 14 December 1928, Page 6

Provisional Finance

Premier’s Bill Passes End of Short Session Recess Committee to Consider Daylight Sittings

fPxB United Press Association,] WELLINGTON, December 14. After the Telegraph Office closed at 2 a.m. the debate in the House of Representatives on the Prime Minister’s Finance Bill was continued by Mr Fraser, The Bill provides authority to increase or supplement Public Works votes and other accounts as follows Railway construction, £500,000. Roads, £IOO,OOO. Hydro-electric, £IOO,OOO. Main railways, £IOO,OOO. State forests, £25,000. Mr Fraser thanked the Government for its prompt action in continuing the rent restriction legislation till August next. The Bill before the House could only be regarded as provisional, to meet an extraordinary situation, and could not be regarded as the full policy of the Government. When that policy did come lief ore the House the Labour Party would scan it more critically. At 2.30 a.m tin Prime Minister rose to reply. He said the criticism of some members on the Reform side was most unfair, in view of the position in which he found himself. He could nob disclose that position, but some day he would put it on record and let the country see how the late Minister of Finance had left him a most difficult legacy to settle. The Hon. Mr Stewart; 'that is a most'unfair way of putting it. Sir Joseph said the hon. gentleman had not settled it, and was proceeding to refer to some difficulty in mysterious terms when Mr Coates remarked across the floor of the House: “What on earth is the hon. gentleman referring to? He ought at least to I-be frank and candid. Sir Joseph Ward retorted that the late Minister of Finance ought to be frank and candid. Proceeding, he replied to Mr Coates’s criticism of the South Island Trunk Railway by saying that Mr Coates had appointed a commission to report on the New Zealand railways, and this was the only railway that the Fay-Raven Commission recommended should bo_ gone on with, and it was also the policy of the Reform Party in Marlborough. His statement regarding the obtaining oi money for settlers and workers, and for finishing the long-distance railways was perfectly straightforward. His statement was made as the residt of a conference with prominent people in London, and he believed then, and believed now, that be could get the money; but it was absurd of members on the other side of the House to demand of a Government three days old that it should produce seventy millions. So far as the unemployed were concerned, he was prepared to listen to representations, and he would promise Auckland the same consideration as the other centres; but he asked for time to look round and see whatetbe position was. He was not opposed to providing money for the repayment of mortgages. He had provided for it in the Act, and on further consideration he was prepared to give effect to it. Ho regretted that’ he was not able to do ail he would like to have done, through no fault of his own, but he would provide the money to carry on for the next six months and to give effect to the policy of his party. The Bill was read a second time, and the House went into committee on the measure.

Mr Contes said the Fay-Raven Commission did not recommend the South Island Trunk Railway, and he advised Sir Joseph Ward to sec the reports thereon, which were not by any means encouraging commercially. Mr Fraser asked that a full explanation be given to the House _ of the “ mysterious ” obstacle which Sir Joseph Ward had found preventing him from carrying out his policy. Sir Joseph Ward said it in no way reflected on the integrity of his predecessors?” hut its disclosure would do the country harm at the present moment. Such positions arose at times under all administrations. The Hon. W. D. Stewart said he could have settled the matter in his own way, but as it arose in the middle of the election he thought it wiser not to do so until the result of the election was known; otherwise ho might have been accused of hampering his successor. . The Rill was then committed, read a third time, and passed without amendment. At 3.37 a.m. the House rose till 11.30 a.m., when the Bill will be received hack from the Legislative Council. VIGOROUS REPLY THE CONVERSION OF MORTGAGES BILL MAKES PROVISION [Fbom Oue Parliament.lev Ei-porteb.) WELLINGTON, December 14. Speaking >n reply on the Finance Bill debate, with much vigour and emphasis, Sir Joseph Ward replied for nearly an hour after 2.30 a.m. He made special reference to State Advances, reminding members that ever since that Act was placed on the Statute Book the policy followed had been:—(l) Lending money lor the erection of homes for workers; (2) the development of land; (3) repayment of mortgages on farm lands; (4) erecting homes on farms and city properties.

That had been the law in New Zealand for thiry-four years, and no Government bad ever attempted to alter it. It was bis object to clean up all arrears of applications for advances outstanding since February, 1927. “If by any chance 1 conveyed the impression that moneys would not bo ■available ■ for the conversion of mortgages on land, I wish to retract ifr,” said Sir Joseph Ward. The Prime Minister trounced Reform members who had sneeringly asked of a Government three davs old ‘ Where is the £70,000,000?’ ” DAYLIGHT SITTINGS SPECIAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED [From Oor Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, December 14. Daylight sittings of the House are being considered as a serious possibility by the Prime Minister, who moved to-day the - appointment of a select committee to sit in the recess and report by August on such revision of the (Standing Orders as will facilitate the despatch of business. Sir Joseph explained that he wished to ascertain if it ivas possible to fix daylight sittings for Parliament. He believed it would bo a good tiling for the country, but it would be neccssary to examine the Standing Orders to enable it to bo brought about. There was no discussion oi\, the proposal, but (Some suggestions from the Leader of the Opposition and Mr Holland, which led to a slight, revision of the committee’s personnel, and an understanding that the three party leaders will act ex officio. The committe comprises Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Coates, Mr H. E. Holland, Sir Apirana Ngata, Sir Smith, Mr Stewart. Mr P. Fraser, Mr M'Combs, and Mr Nash. UPPER HOUSE CRITICS AWARD RATE FOR “ VAGABONDAGE OF LABOUR " [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 14. The Legislative Council met at 11 today, and the Finance Bill was received from the House. Speaking on the second reading, the Leader of the Council (Mr Sidey) referred particularly to the rent restriction clause, pointing out that it applied only to premises concerning which orders were made by magistrates, and enabling tenants to apply for relief until August 1 next as the extended date. This would enable the new Administration to deal with the question during the ordinary session of Parliament next year. Sir Robert Stout objected to the rights Of landlords being restricted for a further period, and asked if it was light to throw upon poor men who owned premises the responsibility of providing accommodation for others. It was unfair to lay down that accommodation should be provided by certain individuals at a. certain rental, while there was no such provision in regard to others.

The Hon. W. Eanishaw opposed the extension, which, ho said, would only be a stopgag until a. further extension, which he anticipated next year. Ho also condemned the proposed increase in the unemployment relief rate, on the ground that it raised the vagabondage of labour to award rates, and would tend to intensify unemployment rather than relieve it. The moment they, departed from the principle of paying a man what ho was worth they wore treading on dangerous ground. It was merely an extension of the dole system, paying a man for whan he did not give in return. Sir Francis Bell justified the rent restriction proposal as the only means available to the Government of dealing with the question in the short space of time available before an opportunity of fully considering the matter in the proper working session. 1 The Hon'. J. Barr deprecated reference to “ vagabondage labour,” and said it might be taken to apply to persons who, arrived footsore and footbare after padding the hoof from one centre to another in search of work, not necessarily at relief rates. The Hon. T. S. Weston commended to the Government the recommendations of the Industrial Conference in relation to unemployment, and'Mr Sidey said he would bring the matter before the Government’s notice. The Bill was passed, and the Council adjourned. END OF SESSION When the House of Representatives resumed at 12!50 p.m. the Speaker reported that the Legislative Council had passed the Finance Bill, which had received the assent of His Excellency the G o vernor-General. The usual, valedictory speeches were then made by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of th Labour Party, and Mr Speaker, and at 1 o’clock the House adjourned after a mock division, and the first session of the twenty-third Parliament came to an end.