BUSINESS ABILITY

Evening Star, Issue 20591, 17 September 1930, Page 3

BUSINESS ABILITY

• -♦ MEMBERS BAIT MINISTER ESTIMATES WITHOUT A REPORT [From Ouk Paruamrktari Rironre*.] WELLINGTON, September 16. _ Possibly feeling hurt over the public declarations of the Hon. J. 11. Donald that more business men arc wanted in Parliament, members got their chance of showing it to-night, when this Minister,. in charge of the Marine Department, faced the House in committee to deal with the Marine Estimates, though the annual report of the department had not been tabled. This immediately followed a successful protest by the Leader of tho Opposition against the Railway Estimates being taken before the statement in the hands of members had been discussed. “ But I won’t make another protest,” explained Mr Coates. “ I want to bo reasonable, aud won’t stick my toes in.” However, the Opposition Leader’s plan was not followed by others, Mr Eraser (Wellington Central) making caustic comment on the position. It was, he said, an extraordinary way of doing business. Was this a sample of the business ability about which the Minister had been talking to the Chambers o Commerce? “For outstanding. wonderful, unparalleled business ability commend me to the Minister of Marine,” ho caustically added. Mr Howard (with mock severity): Extraordinary. Mr Fraser: He is not even conversant with the ordinary procedure- of tho House. Mr Ausell: Ho is not a politician. Mr Howard; “ I hope we won’t get any more business men into the House, because this is the most slovenly thing I have experienced in my clevcii years here. This is a most important department, and _we do not know what it did or what it will do. The Minister as a business man gets things done. Are we the things he gets done?” (Laughter.) Mr Howard called attention to a £l5O vote for tho Ross Sea dependency, asking what it was for. A Member: For a policeman. Mr Howard; If I had a map and the report 1 could see where he was to be stationed. I have been watching and waiting to see these special that business men are endowed with, and 1 must admit I have not seen evidence in any shape or form. Tho Chairman; Order. Mr Howard: “Order what?” (Laughter.) Ho wanted to know who. would get this £l5O, Mr Clyde Carr: Some chamber of commerce in Ross Sea.

Mr Howard; If there are business peop!e_ there they might get it, but there is not a living soul in Ross Sea except whales. Is that a business proposition ? Mr Donald, in reply, explained that tho £l5O item was for tho expenses of the New Zealand officer who had accompanied a whaling vessel to Ross Sea last year. Mr Martin: What for?

Mr Armstrong: For ice cream. The Minister made no explanation of the non-appearance of tho departmental report; _ nor did he venture to cross swords with critics of “ business ability in Parliament.”