PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 June 1936, Page 5

PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS

PRESS AND GOVT.

COUNCIL LEADER’S ADMISSION

{PER press association.]

WELLINGTON, June 11

In the Legislative Council, this morning, Mr. Fagan moved the second reading of the Broadcasting Bill. He said that although the Broadcasting Board would be abolished, the same people who had carried on the work in the past, would continue to carry out the work in the future. The Government, already advertised in newspapers and on hoardings, and there was no reason why it should not advertise over the air.

Dealing with the use of radio as a Government service, Mr. Fagan said that if the necessity arose, the Gov-

ernment unhesitatingly would use the air. However, for every minute used by Government speakers, a similar amount of time would be available for the opponents of the Government to put their case over the air. He would not say the Press of New Zealand had been unfair. The Government hn-Dhad all the space it should have had, nd had been treated fairly.

Mr. M.i.-ters said he was not so much concerned with the possible use of radio by the Government, nor political propaganda, as with the effect of its policy on listeners. He was not going to say the powers taken under the Bill would be used in a dictatorial manner, nor would he prejudice the Government on that point. The Broadcasting Board had given very efficient service, and', developed the main stations out of revenue, solely from license fees. He condemned the proposal to advertise over the air. He thought those countries which had advertising would turn it down flat if they had the opportunity. Other members generally supported the measure. ,

Air. Connelly said the Press had a stranglehold on the minds of the people, and the newspapers had a pretty good time for many years. For that reason, the Bill would be for the benefit of the public. ' Mr. Davis urged that dividends should be allowed to be put over the air.

Mr. Bloodworth expressed the opinion that radio would never supplant newspapers. He said the circulation of newspapers had increased during the rise of radio to popularity. The luncheon adjournment was taken.

When the Council resumed, the Broadcasting Bill, Molyneux Gold Dredging Company Bill, and Napier Harbour Board and Napier Borough Enabling Bill, were passed. The Napier Bill was passed as amended by the Local Bills Committee.

IN THE HOUSE.

EXCHANGE OF COMPLIMENTS

WELLINGTON, June 11

When the House resumed, the amendments to the Napier Bill were agreed to, and the House adjourned till the Governor-General’s assent was secured to Bills which had been passed.

A brief mock Parliament was held in the interval, Mr. Kyle being in the Chair.

On resumption, the Speaker announced that the Governor-General had assented to the measures. The Prime Minister moved that the House on its rising do assemble on July 21, with provision that the House should be called together earlier if occasion should arise. Mr. Savage thanked the Opposition for the assistance its Members had given him during the session. Perhaps at the time their advice had been cut short, but he appreciated their efforts to see that the legislation was in the public interest and in proper shape. He also paid tribute to the Speaker for the care and attention he had paid to his duties during the session.

Mr. thanked the Prime Minister for the sentiments expressed regarding the Opposition, and thanked him for the eourtesj’ extended to members of the Opposition on all occasions. He was looking forward to a resumption of the session, when he believed the secret of where the money was to come from would be revealed, so that it should be a most interesting session. He added a tribute to the Speaker, for the way he had conducted the proceedings of the House. The Speaker thanked the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, on behalf of himself and the Chairman of Committees, for the assistance they had given the Chair on all occasions. The motion was carried and the House rose at 3.25 p.m.

SESSION’S WORK REVIEWED

[special to “stab.”]

WELLINGTON, June 11

New Zealand’s first Labour Government has not’ been slow to give effect to the bulk of its promises, which it made during the election campaign last year. After 12 weeks in session, the House of Representatives has now adjourned in order that future legislative programme may be shaped, but already an imposing list of 15 new public acts has been placet] on the Statute Book of the Dominion. All but three of these can be described as important policy measures. A survey of the legislation passed shows how it fits neatly into Lrbour’s plan. Probably the most important measure of the session was the Reserve Bank Amendment Act. which handed over to the Government complete control of currency and credit of the country. The principles for application of that control have been clearly enunciated in the Primary Products Marketing Act, and the State Advances Corporation Act. These two measures give effect respectively to the Labour Party’s policy of guaranteed prices for dairy products, and more liberal advances to settlers and home builders. In both cases, provision is made for finance to be arranged through the Reserve Bank.

State control has been the principal aim of the Government in its major legislative proposals. Various national services which were previously conducted by Boards have been brought under direct Ministerial Control. This aspect of Government policy has been applied to railways, road and air transport, unemployment and broadcasting.

Another matter to which the Government has devoted special attention is the reorganisation of the Dominion’s Labour laws, the main objective being reductions in maximum working hours, increases in minimum rates of pay, fixing of basic wage and general concessions to workers. The rent restriction is further evidence of the desire of the Government to exercise control over the existing situation un-

Itil such time as its housing scheme is innaugurated. and puts it in the position of even greater authority. BILLS PASSED. The following Bills were passed during the first portion of the session: — Michael Connolly Appointment Validation. Reserve Bank of New Zealand Amendment. Government Railways Amendment. Labour Department Amendment. Employment Promotion, Primary Products Marketing. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment. Factories Amendment. Transport Licensing Amendment. League of Nations Sanctions Regulations Confirmation. Shops and Offices Amendment. State Advances Corporation. Fair Rents, Distress and Replevin Amendment.

Broadcasting. Imprest Supply.

Tne following' local acts were also passed: Napier Harbour and Napier Borough Enabling Act; New Plymouth Land Exchange and Empowering Act, Taupiri Drainage and River Board Empowering Act. Private Acts passed included: Thomas George Alacarthy Trust Act, United Wheatgrowers’ Act, Whakatane Paper Mills Ltd., Water Supply Empowering Act, William George David Brown Trust Act. In addition, the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill, and the Alsation Dog Bill are in the second reading stage.

HIGH COMMISSIONER ELECT

WELLINGTON. June 12

The future High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, Mr. W. J. Jordan, was farewelled by members of the Government Party at*a caucus after the House of Representatives adjourned for the mid-winter recess. Mr. Jordan will be leaving New Zealand before the House resumes on July 21, to represent the Dominion at the League of Nations Assembly at Geneva in September. The Prime Minister and other members of the Government paid a tribute to Mr. Jordan’s services. The presentation of travelling bags wre made to Mr. Jordan waseTß was made to Mr. Jordan, and an envelope with a substantial cheque enclosed, was given to Mrs. Jordan. COMMERCIAL REVIVAL. WELLINGTON, June 11. In a statement to-day, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, said that the exports of bis officers, who are in very close touch with all sections of commercial activity, are in line with information that is reaching him from other sources to the effect that an improvement is being experienced on all sides. A striking feature, he stated, is that i better quality of article is now in demand, this indicating that spending power has improved. The building activity is most marked, but the improvement is not confined thereto. Numerous other lines are showing much better results, and there is every prospect of a continuance. “This,” said the Minister, “is most encouraging, and it is an effective refly to those who, to suit their own puZ loses, insist that there is a lack of :onfidence in business, and that the jovernment’s policy spells ruin and lisaster.” He is satisfied that there is nore real confidence and optimism han there has been at any time since hose years that are referred to as he depression, and he is equally cerain that this spirit will be even more narked when the full effect of the Gov■rnment’s policy is felt right through>ut the Dominion,