PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21994, 2 April 1935, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

. YESTERDAY’S SITTING DUNEDIN VOTING SYSTEM [Pm United Press Assoaiuos.] WELLINGTON, April 1. The House met at 2.30 p_.ru. Mr Wright put a question to the Prime Minister regarding the importation of oranges to New Zealand from Victoria and South Australia. Mr Forbes replied that the question of the importation of oranges was being considered by the Government. [The Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill, 'introduced by Mr Fraser, had first reading. It has reference to unfair competition by subsidised American shipping, and the debate is reported under separate headings.] Amendments to Mortgage Corporation of New Zealand Bill were received from the Legislative Council, and Mr Coates, after explaining them, moved that they be agreed to, and this was carried. Sir A. Young moved the second reading of the Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill. Referring to the provision allowing the Dunedin electors to vote by use of a cross, he said he had received communications from other places on the same matter. He could do nothing in the present Bill, but as it was only temporary he would agree to extend at a later date that provision to all cities. Mr Veitch urged that all local authorities should be included in this legislation if they desired, and he asked the Minister to include Wanganui with Dunedin,

, The debate was interrupted to permit of the introduction of the Finance Bill. Mr Coates explained the purposes of the Bill, which was read a first time. The Local Election and Polls Bill was read a second time, and the committee stage commenced. On the Short Title, Mr Veitch made a strong endeavour to have Wanganui included in the provision for voting by cross, but the Minister was adamant, as ho said representations had not been received from the proper qxiarter. The clause relating to the closing of electoral rolls on dates, fixed before the passing of this Bill was deleted by the Minister. Speaking on the clause relating to the marking of voting papers, Sir A. Young said every available step to make the _ proposed change known to the public had been taken by the Dunedin City Council. He could not accept an amendment to include 'Wanganui, as it would make the clause ridiculous, because the clause had been drawn specifically to meet the special circumstances in Dunedin. As far as he knew, the Wanganui City Council had passed no resolution asking for the adoption of the cross system, and the only representation he had received was a telegram from the Mayor of Wanganui, received late that afternoon. Mr Veitch said Wanganui knew exactly what it was doing, and what it wanted, and he moved an amendment to have the provision to apply to any city council. • Several members spoke in favour, of the amendment, but indicated that they would not vote for the clause if it meant that Dunedin would lose the privilege the clause would give it. Others opposed the amendment, which was lost by 32-15. ' Mr Veitch moved a further amendment to add the Wanganui City Council to the clause, but this was lost on the voices. The Bill was reported with

amendments, read a third time, and passed. The second reading of the Finance Bill was then proceeded with. An amendment was introduced by the Government, Mr Coates explaining that its object was to enable the Government to complete arrangements with the Egmont Box Company regarding an area of timber at Western Bay, Taupo. The amount involved was £23,000. The need for a national superannuation scheme was urged by Mr Mason when referring to the superannuation arrangements regarding Mr Justice Frazer. It might be said that His Honour had given valuable service to the country, but so had other members of the community, and they were as much entitled to superannuation as Mr Justice Frazer. It might be asked where the money was to come from, but the payment of superannuation would not destroy money, but would put it into circulation. Mr Langstone referred to the uneven distribution of wealth, and Mr Stallworthy compared the salary to be paid the deputy-chairman of the Commission of Agriculture with the earning of dairy farmers for whose benefit special legislation had been passed in an endeavour to keep them from bankruptcy. He criticised the action of the Government in setting up boards to do work it was really Parliament’s duty to do. Mr O’Brien complained that the Government had not done the necessary work to bridges and other public works in' his electorate. He said that works that could be left for a time were done, while developmental work was left undone. The debate was adjourned, and the House rose at midnight.