PARLIAMENT’S DEBATE

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 October 1932, Page 7

PARLIAMENT’S DEBATE

RENT SUBSIDY PROPOSAL DECLARATION OF “WAR” [pee press association.] WELLINGTON, October 14. When the House of Representatives resumed at 2.30 p.m., the debate on the Imprest Bill, was continued. Mr Walter Nash, replying to Mr Smith, (said that seventy-flour cent of th© girls and twenty-six per cent of boys leaving primary schools did not know what they were going to do. He claimed that the picture painted by Mr Smith was not correct.

.The discussion on the unemployment situation, generally was continued until after 4.30, when Mr Parry moved an amendment recommending the Government to convene a conference of representatives of owners of rented houses and tenements, relief workers, and the Government for the purpose of making mutually satisfactory ar|rangements whereby unemployed workers would have a reasonable guarantee of shelter for themselves and their families, and the owners would be guaranteed a definite return in the form of rent. Mr Parry said that until the Government took some steps to 'assist the people he had mentioned, he would take every opportunity of dividing the House on the subject. He personally was not prepared to assist the Government any further until it took the matter in hand. A vote of £15,000 would be sufficient to overcome the rent problem. 1 The amendment was seconded by Mr Jones, and on a division was rejected by 43 to 24. Mr Fraser asked whether the Prime Minister would indicate to the House what progress had been made in London with reference to the suggested New Zealand conversion loan, and also whether he could give any explanation regarding the alleged defalcations in the High Commissioner’s Office.

Mr Forbes said that Mr Stewart and Mr Park, Secretary of the Treasury, were, at present discussing with financial circles in London, New Zealand’s position generally with respect to the Government’s requirements. He was in possession of no information other than that which had already appeared in the Press. In regard to the other matter mentioned by Mr Fraser, it would have been observed that Police Court proceedings were being taken in respect of the alleged defalcations in the High Comcissioner’s Office.

Replying to Mr Fraser, Mr Coates said that all Government contracts were handled by the Stores Board, and were submitted to the Cabinet for confirmation. The same course had been adopted regarding benzine and oil contracts, as with all others.

Replying to Mr Sullivan, Mr Cobbe said he had discussed with the Commissioner of Pensions whether it would be possible to pay pensions on October 21 instead of October 25, but owing to the number involved this was not practicable. He pointed out that payments were not actually due until the end of the month, though it was the practice to pay them a week earlier.

Th© Imprest Supply Bill, providing for allocations totalling £4,482,000 was then put through all stages and passed. The House rose at 6.40 p.m. The Council passed the Imprest Supply Bill 'without discussion. The Council rose at 8.5 p.m.

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

COUNCIL DEBATE CONTINUED.

WELLINGTON, October 14. Th© Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. Continuing the debate on the Re-

ligious Instruction in Schools Enabling Bill, Mr Mclntyre said it was indiscreet for a private member to introduce a Bill of such a controversial nature. Legislation of a. national character and of national policy should be introduced by the Government, which was composed of (Todfearing men, who were just as anxious to protect the welfare of the children as anyone else. There was an onus on the promoters of the Bill to prove that the moral and intellectual standard of New Zealand children was inferior to those taught under other systems. Though they had inferred that, they had not proved it. Mr Carrington said the child, in order to be safeguarded against the perils of the world, needed the protection of religion, but the Bill was a poor safeguard for a child. Undenominational teaching was a distinct danger to Christianity. The real solution for sound religious education in State schools was the Nelson system, and the Bible-in-Schools League would accomplish more than it could by the Bill if it put its energies behind the Nelson system. He had decided to support the Bill until that morning, when he realised the great

difficulties which had to be overcome. The passage of the measure would impose grave disabilities on the teacher, and he intended to move in the committee-stage to make provision for the right of appeal by teachers, who considered they had been victimised. Even that amendment would not overcome the difficulties and he intended to vote against the measure. Sir AV. Hall Jones said there was

the necessity in the world for more obedience to the teachings of Christ. If Christ's teachings had been followed, there would have been no war and the present troubles would not

have followed. He did not object to a more simplified system of religious instruction, than was proposed in the Bill.

Tile debate was adjourned till Wednesday, on the motion of Mr Smith.