POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 21569, 15 November 1933, Page 5

POLITICAL POINTS

THE DAY’S WORK [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLJ XGTOX, November 11. Parliament’s most important debate of the session, that, on the Financial Statement, commenced to-night, the discussion being originated by Mr Savage, who led bis forces in full array against the Administration, and delivered a spirited onslaught on the Coalition’s alleged failure adequately to cope with the economic situation. His penetrating attack was well received by the House, and there was no mistaking the impression he made in his first fulldress appearance as Leader of tho Opposition. The afternoon was devoted to a preliminary skirmish over the Lands Conn mittee’s report, and tho ’Waikato Water Bill, and to consideration of .the animal report on railway superannuation. The announcement was made by Mr Forbes that there would be no alteration in the funds this year. - , • • • « RAGWORT ERADICATION. Claiming to be the original discoverer of the most effective method of ragwort eradication, Mr William A. Cny-ley-Alexander (Piopio) has a petition to the House for monetary recognition. Lie asks that the freehold of his Crown leasehold farm be transferred to him with the stock and chattels, free of cncumberance, and that a monetary grant of £I,OOO be also made. Petitioner states that after long experiments he advocated in October, 1931, the use of a mixture of sodium chlorate and lime, and the proportions were definitely fixed in July, 1932. Throughout the course of his experiments he made the facts public. He applied to the Minister of Agriculture tor monetary recognition, and in declining the request the Minister added: “ 1 desire, on behalf ot the Government, to heartily congratulate you upon your well-thought-out and successful method of dealing with tho ragwort pest.” He then applied to the Minister of Lands, who took the view that, as the discovery was not limited in its benefit to Crown Lands, the request was a matter for the Minister of Agriculture. ♦ * # * CONTROVERSIAL POINT. The Waikato Water Supply Empowering Bill, on which the Lands Committee made a long report to the House to-day, involves the highly controversial principle of a private company developing water supply for a number of Auckland suburban boroughs. The measure is also bound up with a local controversy which promptly cropped up when the report was considered. Mr Savage (Auckland West) warned the House to strictly scrutinise it as a most reactionary proposal, but Mr Harris (Waitemata) declared that it was an honest attempt to secure Parliament’s consent to secure a supply ot water for Auckland suburban bodies. There was no attempt to usurp their authority, and the three local authorities on the north side of the harbour wanted the Bill passed, as they could not get better terms from anyone else. “ When we get a fair smack at the Bill,” said another Auckland member (Mr Parry), “ justice will be done, and it will be handled very severely indeed.”

Mr Armstrong (Christchurch East) declared that Auckland city was prepared to carry out a comprehensive water supply .scheme, but a number of cockroach local bodies were obstructing, and one means was the promotion of the private Bill lor a company to develop a supply from tho Waikato. Mr Jordan (Manukau), who contended that Auckland city was not making a reasonable charge lor its water, asked other members to keep out of the family squabble. Members: Then why bring it here? “ Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink, until we pay Mr Goodfellow,” said Mr Lee, another critical member, who painted .a- humorous picture of citizens going to a penny-in-the-slot machine for drinks. Mr Armstrong; And saying 1 God bless Goodfcllow.” (Laughter.) The Lands Committee report, which was adopted, recommended further investigation by a select committee, and that the Bill be allowed to proceed subject to the provision thqt the company should not exercise any powers in respect to Crown lands or reserves unless with the prior consent of the Minister in charge, and subject to any conditions he imposes.