PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20778, 28 April 1931, Page 12

PARLIAMENT

END OF EMERGENCY SESSION BOTH HOUSES ADJOURN [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 28. The Legislative Council met at 10.30 Replying to the Hon. G. Di. Thomson, .Sir Thomas Sicley said that owing to technical, difficulties it was not considered practicable to give eflect to a proposal to establish a censorship or the talkies for tho purpose of preserving tho purity of tho English language. TTio remedy seemed to bo more British films, and, judging from his experiences at Homo, this was likely to bo brought about in tho near future. Tho Hawke’s Bay Earthquake Bill was received from the House, put through all stages without discussion, and passed, and the Council adjourned at 10.50 until tho ringing of tho bells. The House of Representatives met at U °Replying to Mr Hogan, Mr Forbes said ho hoped to bo in a position within a dav or two to make a statement regarding tho duties on wheat and flour, etc. , r . Replying to Mr Martin, Mr I’oibcs said ho would take the first opportunity of ascertaining what additional facilities could be afforded farmers with reference to obtaining supplies or xeitito Mr W. Nash, Mr Atmore said ho could give an assurance that all school buildings in New Zealand would bo made as sale as possible for the children occupying them. Investigations into tho safety of all schools had been undertaken immediately after the earthquake. Mr W. Nash asked whether the New Zealand Government representative in Scotland was still advising domestic servants to come to New Zealand, and offering assisted passages and guaranteed employment. Mr Nash read an advertisement from a Scottish newspaper on the subject. Mr Forbes said it was tho intention of tho Government that Such action should not he continued. He would bo pleased to make inquiries concerning the advertisement. In reply to Colonel MTlonald, Mr Forbes said the question of limiting tho importation of cherries from Australia would bo considered along with other tariff items. ■ The Royal assent to tho Acts passed during tho session was transmitted by Governor-General’s Message. Moving the adjournment of the House, Mr Forbes' paid a tribute to the manner in which members had dealt with tho urgent and highly tentious business of the session. There would ho other problems to bo faced in the main session, when there would bo more time to deal with them. It was his present intention to summon Parliament about the middle of Juno for the ordinary session. Mr Coates said the session had probably been tho most worrying one in members’ lifetime. The nature of the legislation had demanded and still demanded sacrifice on the part of everyone. Until tho markets for primary products improved people had to align themselves to tho changed conditions. Ho was concerned regarding what would happen to the farmers of the dominion unless they were given sympathetic assistance and encouragement to carry on.

Tho Leader of tho Labour Party said ho thought the session would live in the history of New Zealand as one of the most remarkable and one of the most disastrous as far as the consequences wore concerned. He feared the measures that had been adopted would only tend to accentuate the difficulties which they had been intended to overcome. The session would also bo outstanding in history because of tho closure and the manner in which it had been introduced. In his opinion tho only useful legislation that had been passed was tho Hawke’s Bay Earthquake Act,and the Mortgagors’ Relief Bill. No adequate provision had yet been made for unemployment distress in the winter months. Ho expressed regret that the session had been allowed to end without a courageous policy being introduced to overcome tins problem. He considered that steps should be takc.pn in tho direction of making New Zealand more soil-contained. Mr Poison expressed disappointment that tho speeches of tho “ two leaders of the more moderate parties in the House ” had not given some hope of those parties getting closer together than in tho past. Ho still hoped that something would bo done before next session, because ho was sure the country desired these parties to work in closer co-operation in lacing the national problems of the day. Mr Lysnar said he disagreed with Mr Holland’s remarks. Ho considered that the House had done the best it could do to meet the difficulties the country had encountered.

Mr Hogan said ho thought some mistakes had hoon made in regard to the nature of the legislation placed on the Statute Book.

Dir Fraser supported Mr Holland’s idea for urgent consideration of the unemployment situation. Each member who spoke paid tribute to the manner in which Mr Speaker bad carried out his duties, and also to to work of all officers of the Legislative Department. Mr Speaker thanked members for. their remarks, and congratulated them on the manner in which they had carried out tho arduous duties of the session.

There was the usual final division of the session, when the motion to adjourn was put. .

Tho session ended at ]. 15 p.m. with the singing of the National Anthem.