PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21219, 28 September 1932, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

ADDRESS-IH-REPLY DEBATE OPENED DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS [Per United Press Association.] ■WELLINGTON, September 27. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. , A number of petitions were presented asking for the removal of tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes from the schedule of the Commercial Trusts Act, 1910. Mr J. W. Munro (Dunedin North) gave notice of his intention to introduce the Otago Harbour Board Empowering Bill. The Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) gave notice of bis intention to move that for the remainder of the session the hours of sitting he from 2.30 p.m. till midnight from Tuesdays to Fridays inclusive. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr IT. F. Holland) asked whether any arrangements had been made to bring British immigrants to New Zealand either immediately or at some future date. Mr Coates said that the agreements made with the British Government wore trade agreements, and would be placed before Parliament. Mr Holland : There is nothing relating to immigration? Mr Coates; No. Mr W. F. Parry (Auckland Central) asked, in view of the emphatic decision at Ottawa (which was endorsed by the Prime Minister) that prices must be raised, whether the Government would take the necessary steps to amend the legislation relating to pensions, and not only restore the reductions made last session, but also consider the granting of increases. He said it was considered by eminent authorities that this was tiro most effective way of raising prices. Mr Forbes said it was not intended to introduce legislation on the lines indicated. The Wellington City Empowering and Amendment Bill (Mr R. Semple) and the Gaining Amendment Bill (Mr H. T. Armstrong) were introduced and read a first time.

’i he remainder of the afternoon was occupied in the discussion of departmental papers. Replying to the debate on the report of the Immigration Department the Minister (Hon J. A. Young) gave an assurance that no fresh contracts were being made in respect to immigration. It was true that one or two people had been entering the country, but in these cases entrance had been "gained under old contracts. The Minister added that he had written on several occasions to the High Commissioner regarding advertisements in the British papers on the subject of emigration to New Zealand, and had pointed out that the advertisements were published without authority. Replying to the discussion on the report of the Mental Hospitals Department, Hon. J. A. Young said the administration system in New Zealand compared very favourably with anything else in the world, but like other countries New Zealand was faced with difficulties in the way of finance. There were many cases winch it might bo considered could be more satisfactorily dealt with in institutions other than mental hospitals. Legislation had been passed for the provision of rest homes-, but this would require a great deal of money. He had no doubt that the Government would be only too happy to provide rest homes when the money was available. The Minister said it was matter for gratification that there was no longer any stigma attached to treatment in a mental institution. Relatives of people in institutions need no longer have any misgivings on that score. ■ Discussing the report of the general officer commanding the defence forces, Mr J. A. Hargest (Invercargill) said it was deplorable that nothing was being done to give dominion officers an opportunity to secure the latest knowledge in military affairs. He was of the opinion that New Zealand should have at least one representative in a military college overseas. The Government had sent Colonel Thoms to England at an expense of £2,000, and had then dispensed with his services. That money nad been lost to the dominion. but be Imped the Minister of Defence would make an effort to send another officer at an early date, so that new ideas could be brought to New Zealand The department was to be congratulated on the success of the voluntary scheme, but the status of the volunteer force should be raised.

When the House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr J. X. Massey (Franklin) moved the formal Address-in-Reply motion. He paid a tribute to the manner in which their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Bledisloe, had endeared themselves to the people of the dominion, and added that the breadth and depth of the knowledge which His Excellency had displayed in the agricultural life of the country had won especial admiration. The gift of the Waitangi site was one which would be appreciated by Maori and p alee ha alike, and he felt confident that the present and later Governments would see that the monument associated with such an historic event would bo properly protected for all time. Continuing, Mr Massey said that-while there had been an improvement in tlie outlook in the dominion, it was evident that we were not .vet completely out of our difficulties, but there was reason to hope that the improvement would continue. He referred to the Government’s efforts in the direction of assisting the farming, community, and expressed the view that a further careful investigation into the position regarding fertilisers would render it possible for the farmers to receive yet more supplies of cheap fertiliser.' It was necessary to go further than merely increase the dominion’s production. Attention must be directed to improved marketing. Wo must improve the cpiality of our products and at the name time submit an article that would bo acceptable to the overseas markets. Mr Massey expressed the opinion that New Zealand had been particularly ably represented at Ottawa, and lie believed the dominion, in common with the rest of the Empire, would receive benefits of considerable magnitude in consequence of the conference. Mr Massey went on to refer to the development of (Town and private lands, and paid a tribute to the work of the Native Affairs Department in developing Maori lands. So far as the Auckland province was concerned, it seemed that instead of tho pakeha giving a lead to the Maori the latter was giving a lead to the pakeha. The Lands Department appeared to he lagging sadly behind. There had been i .ins.d rali.c waste. anil in tins connection he desired to refer particularly to unemployment relief. Everyone knew that the unemployment problem was acute, but it should be recognised that money should be spent along the right lines. More valuable work could bo done in tho outlying areas than in the metropolitan areas. He regretted that there had been a departure in the Auckland province from the sound policy which had been la.id down some months ago. Mo emphasised the necessity for devoting expenditure largely to reproductive work. Tho motion was seconded by Hr I’. M‘Skimming (Clntha), whose speech is elsewhere reported. Mho debate was adjourned on the motion of the Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland), and the J louse rose at 8.-ID p.m.