PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21220, 29 September 1932, Page 16

PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL [Pan United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 28. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. Sir James Allen gave notice of his intention to introduce the Religious Instruction in Schools Enabling Bill. Moving the formal Addrcss-in-Reply motion, the lion. J. Trevithick said that the Ottawa Conference had been an object lesson to all the nations, it had shown the energy and force of tlio Empire and had given a load to other nations, which would henceforth realise that Britain was not simply a market for their produce and that Britain intended to give preference to tlio dominions. It was the duty of New Zealand to ratify and honour the Ottawa agreement. Air Trevithick contended that (he dominion should not on'y lower the tariff cm British goods, hut should at the same time increase the duties on goods from foreign countries. Tlio policy of New Zealand should ho the Empire first, and if there was an increase of the duties collected on foreign goods as a result of the raising of the tariff against them the money should be expended on Empire purposes. He urged the exploitation of markets in the East. Colonel G. J. Smith expressed admiration for the, work accomplished by the Coalition Government during its first year of office., It had faced an extremely difficult position .with courage and determination. Tito Speech from tlio' Throne, lie said, had referred to tlio necessity for international action for tlio stimulation of world trade, but in international action they should not lose sight of the Empire which had often suffered through international agreements. He urged that secondary industries should be developed as far as possible in order to absorb a largo number of those who were .seeking work. It had been said that the secondary industries were dependent on the primary, but in reality they were dependent on each other, as it was essential to preserve the balance of population. However, the manufacturers would have to ensure that their goods were available at a reasonable price. He was aware that there were difficulties iu the way of the establishment of a central reserve bank because of the Government’s relations with the Bank of New Zealand, and he suggested that it might be possible to extend the powers of the Bank of Now Zealand in order that it might function as a central bank as well as a trading bank. In view of the success which had attended the formation of tlio Coalition, be thought the parties should consider the question of fusing and 'add to the strength of the Government by the formation of one strong party. The Council rose at 4.15 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Air C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) gave notice of his intention to introduce the Silver and Copper Coinage Bill. Replying to Air W. E. Barnard (Napier) the Prime Alini&ter (Right. Hon. G. W. Forbes) said that from a general inspection it appeared that very littlrp damage had been done to the East Coast railway by the recent earthquake. There had not yet been an opportunity, however, for a detailed inspection. The Currency Bill (Air H. G. R. Alason) was introduced and read a first time.. Explaining the measure. Air Mason (Auckland Suburbs) said it was similar to the measure introduced a year. ago.. It aimed at the stabilisation of price values in New Zealand by regulating the amount of currency iu circulation. The Prime Minister's motion extending the hours of sitting until midnight was carried. When the Addrcss-in-Reply debate was resumed the Leader of the Opposition. moved his motion of no-confidonce. The debate is reported elsewhere. The House rose at 11.32 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-day.