PARLIAMENT’S OPENING

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 January 1933, Page 7

PARLIAMENT’S OPENING

PRELIMINARY BUSINESS LABOUR NO-CONFIDENCE [PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, January 2G. After an adjournment for seven weeks, to enable the Government to formulate a policy to meet the . requirements of the economic situation, the second session of the twentyfourth Parliament was resumed at 2.30 to-day. In consequence of his resignation of the portfolio of Minister of Finance, Mr Stewart vacated his seat on the Treasury Benches, and occupied a seat alongside Mr Hawke in the cross-benches. The new member for Motueka, Mr K. J. Holyoake, was sworn in, Mr Bitchener and Mr J. N. Massey acting as sponsors. Mr Mason gave notice of intention to introduce the Onehunga and One Tree Hill Water Supply Protection Bill.

The Leader of the Opposition gave notice of the intention to move: “The Government does not possess the confidence of either House or country.” Mr Holland asked the Prime Minister whether he would make a statement to the House covering the legislation to be dealt with and the order in which it will be brought down.

Mr Forbes: I don’t know that I can make a statement covering the whole of the session at the present time, especially in view of the fact that the Leader of the Opposition has just given notice of a no-confidence motion.

Mr Forbes added that it was intended to introduce a Banking Indemnity Bill to-morrow. The Bill was urgent, hut the Government would allow a reasonable time for discussion. There was no intention to curtail the debate on what was one of the most important matters to be dealt with, but he thought it would be the general wish of members to bring to as early an end as possible, what had already been a protracted session. Replying to Mr Stallworthy, Mr Young said the Director-General of Health had kept in close touch with the development of the influenza epidemic in Britain and Europe, and every precaution was being taken to prevent a spread to the Dominion. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether in view of widespread want in homes in the Buller district, the Government would place that district on the same footing as the four main centres’ so far as relief was concerned.

Mr Hamilton said that though the Government appreciated the position in the Buller district, it was not possible at this stage to grant Mr Holland’s request. Mr Holland also drew attention to the conditions at Blackball, and asked whether sufficient allocations would be provided to relieve families which according to a report by officials of the Grey Hospital Board, were suffering extreme privation.

Mr Hamilton said the extent of the allocations was determined by the number of people eligible for relief, and the amount of money available. On the motion of Mr Forbes, it was decided that the House sit to-morrow from 10.30 a.m. till 5.30 p.m. Mr Jordan was granted leave of absence for the remainder of the session, on account of ill-health. The Judicature Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor-General’s message, and accorded urgency. Explaining the measure. Mi* Gobbe said that ordinary sittings of the Court of Appeal were fixed by the Governor-General by Order-in-Council, and might be so fixed for several sittings in advance. The purpose of the present Bill was to enable the Gov-ernor-General in Council to appoint a special sitting of the Court to deal with any urgent matter, without disturbing the fixtures that might have already been made for ordinary sittings. At any special sitting, the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal might be exercised by any three Judges of the Supreme Court, who might be of the same or of different divisions of the Court of Appeal. The immediate necessity for the Bill was to enable the Court to dteal with the appeal of Edward Tarrant, who had been convicted of murder. In the ordinary course of events the Court would have sat some time in March, and it was considered the appeal should be dealt with at the earliest possible moment. He added that the draft of the Bill had been approved by the Chief Justice. The Bill was put through all stages without debate, and passed. The House adopted the customary motion recording the high sense of appreciation of the faithful services rendered to New Zealand by the late Mr James Horn (member for Wakatipu 1919-28), and the late Mr H. L. Tapley (member for Dunedin North 1925-28), and expressing sympathy with the relatives. Referring to Mr Horn, Mr Forbes said his name would long be associated with the development of Central Otago. He had been a man who had made many friends wherever he had gone. Referring to Mi* Tapley, Mr Forbes said he had been characterised by the fine breezy personality of those who had associated with “men who go down to the sea. in ships.”

The Prime Minister’s remarks were endorsed by the Leader of the Opposition and a number of other speakers. The House adjourned at 3.32 till 10.30 to-morrow, as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased legislators, TO-DAY’S BUSINESS. WELLINGTON, January 27. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m. Replying to Mr Samuel. Mr Hamilton said that, it was not possible to make relief allocations to all country towns, on the same basis as the allocations to the four main centres. It was considered that there was a much greater chance in the country districts of obtaining odd days’ work. Mr Samuel: Not in Waihi. Mr Hamilton undertook during the week-end, to ascertain definitely what the position was in the country districts, and to see if anything further could be done. The Onchunga and One Tree Hill Boroughs Water Supply Protection Bill (Mr Mason) was introduced and iread a first time.