POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 21570, 16 November 1933, Page 6

POLITICAL POINTS

GRANT FOR DUNEDIN POST OFFICE [From Our Parliamentary Reporter,] WELLINGTON, November 15. One good tiling in the Budget, as viewed from the Opposition benches, is the increased moncv tor public works. Mr J ones (Dunedin South) voiced this view, congratulating the Minister of Finance on providing money for the Dunedin Post Office. This had been a burning question for years, and numerous Ministers had made promises, but Mr Coates was the first to accede to the request. He was pleased that the Government had not economised in the plans and specifications, because he believed the Government should erect beautiful buildings. “Wc don’t want a barn for a Dost Office, and I'm glad they are keeping to the original plans, and we are going to get a beautiful building. When we see the Dunedin Town Hall and the University buildings we realise that our pioneers had vision, and it is something to their credit, and a good thing that the Government is maintaining the ti-adition.” Mr Jones suggested that the Minister of Finance would probably not be in office whoa the building was finished, but he probably would be in Parliament, and Dunedin would welcome him to the opening ceremony. • « « » CANADIAN MARKET FOR OAMARU STONE. “ i am satisfied there is a fairly good market in Canada for Oamaiii building stone.” remarked Mr Nash (Hutt) during his financial debate speech. “What?” ejaculated a member incredulously; so Mr Nash repeated his statement, explaining that the Canadian Minister of Trade and Commerce (Mr Stevens’) told him it was possible, if adequate shipping facilities were available, to sell Oamarii stone in Canada, and his own inquiries Of builders and contractors supported that impression. A fairly large contractor whom he interviewed after seeing Mr Stevens, told him the opening existed. ♦ * ♦ • UNEXPECTED COMPLIMENT. The member for Wairarnpa, Mr AULeod. had an unexpected compliment in the House to-night, when Mr MacDongall, wlio lias strongly resisted giving extensions of time for speeches, moved for this concession. General laughter greeted (his change of front. Mr M‘Leod. in friendly acknowledgment. suggested that, Alatanra- was turning the other cheek. “ I hope it’s not throwing pearls before swine,” commented Mr AlacDougall. but lie must have been satisfied with the modest use made of the extension of time by All M’Lcod, • « • • RADIO STATION PURCHASES. The Government’s purchase of three B class radio stations came under the critical attention of Mr Jones (the Labour member for Dunedin South) to-night when he suggested that the Christchurch station, which its owners bought for £l5O. was sold to the Government for £GOO. Mr Jones suggested that the Government was sold too. Air Hamilton (Postmaster-General) : We had been offered Dunedin station for £2.000. Mr Jones replied that lie was not satisfied that Iho Wellington and Auckland stations were worth what was paid, but if the Alinistcr bought He Dunedin station for £2.000 and then closed it. be would call that a serious waste of money 100. There were some good B class stations in Dunedin, and there was no necessity to buy any of them. They cave a good service free, and only wanted the right to a limited amount of advertising in their programmes. BUDGET DEBATE. The financial debate lagged badly in the House to-day. only the critical enthusiasm of the Labour opposition saving it from collapse. However, it goes on to-morrow. Air Downie Stewart made a useful contribution in his discussion on exchange costs. Air AHLeod (Wairarapa), one of the leading members of the group which pressed the matter on the Government’s attention, following him with the suggestion that he was not quite fair to his old colleague. Air Contes. • « * * RESERVE BANK BEFORE COUNCIL Meanwhile the Legislative Council has the Reserve Bank Bill in the second reading stage, and it is likely that in the committee stage an amendment of ilie clause relating to the appointment of directors, on the lines promised by tlie Finance Alinister. will be introduced there' bv the Government I