PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 March 1941, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS SOLDIERS’ DEPENDENTS’ BONUS .5 [per press association.] WELLINGTON, March 18. The House of Representatives met for ten minutes this afternoon for the transaction of formal business. Mr. R. McKeen (Government, Wellington South) gave notice to ask the Minister of Justice: Whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing amount of criminal assault on young girls by youths, and very often by men of advanced years; and whether he would consider the setting up of a competent committee to investigate this problem, and to suggest a remedy to wipe it out. Mr. H.- S. S. Kyle (Nat., Riccartou) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister: Whether, the Government could give an assurance that dependents of soldiers overseas would get a five per cent, cost-of-living bonus, as had been given by the Arbitration Court to industrial workers. Notice of his intention to move for leave to introduce the Boy Scouts’ Association, New Zealand Branch Incorporation Bill, was given by Mr. F. Schramm (Govt., Auckland East;. The purpose of the measure is to enable the incorporation of a Dominion Council of the Boy Scouts’ _ Association, in order that the organisation in New Zealand can function on similar lines to the Boy Scouts’ Association in Britain. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. A hearty welcome to Sir Cyril Newall as Governor-General of the Dominion, was extended by Mr. L, G. Lowry (Govt., Otaki), in opening the Address-in-Reply debate in the House to-night. The galleries and the floor of the House were fairly well filled for the occasion, and both the mover and the seconder of the Address were greeted with applause when they rose to speak. Mr. Lowry referred to Sir C. Newall’s outstanding services to the Royal Air Force, and stated that his presence in the Dominion at a time such as this must give the greatest satisfaction. He paid a tribute to the magnificent example of the people of Britain in the present struggle, and said he was sure that we in New Zealand shared their faith and determination to see the matter through, no matter what the odds, or how long the struggle continued. Mr. Lowry briefly gave an outline of the work of the War Council and the War Cabinet in this Dominion, and said that he was quite satisfied that everything possible that could be done was being done to bring the defences of this country to an adequate state of preparedness. Some people, he continued, were a little anxious, and wanted to know when our troops would go into action. He would remind them that action meant casualty lists, and he thought that everyone would be well pleased if the dispute could be settled in some way which would allow every one of our men who had gone overseas to return to us. Action would come soon enough, and, with it, heartaches. He did not suggest, however, that our troops should stand idly by and let others do the fighting. In conclusion, he asked the members of the House and the people throughout the country generally to re-dedi-cate their lives to the service of the country and the Empire. MAORI LOYALTY. In seconding the motion, Mr. E. T. Tirikatene (Govt., Southern Maori), thanked the Prime Minster for the honour which had been conferred on the Maori race by allowing a Maori member to second the motion. It was 53 years since a similar honour had been conferred on the late Sir James Carroll, who was then a private member, representing the EasternMaori electorate. In the interim, no Maori member had been called upon to move or second the Address-in-Reply. In referring to the Maoris’ part in assisting the Mother Country, Mr. Tirikatene said they were all ready to assist, because by doing so they were assisting themselves. The Maori was a British subject, and one of the most loyal that could be found. The history of the Maori was one of chivalry. He had not fought for money, or schemes, or for ideals, but he had fought for only two things—he had to fight for his land and his women, and they were both worth fighting for. He admitted he could not fathom how the present war had started, but he said that it was no use asking ourselves if we would go to war, because by going to war we were fighting' for our rights, which had been challenged by a ruthless enemy, who was moving on his way like an assassin out of control. The Treaty of Waitangi had brought brotherhood between the pakeha and the Maori for all time. They had stepped out shoulder to shoulder in past wars, and they were doing so again. We had to forget our claims and bickerings, he said in conclusion, and weld ourselves into one cemented block, so that victory could be achieved as soon as possible. The debate was adjourned at 9.45 p.m., and the House rose until 7.30 to-morrow evening.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

WELLINGTON, March 38.

Hopeful aspects of the war position were referred to by Hon. J. E. Duncan and Hon. M. Connelly,, the mover and seconder of the Address-in-Reply, in. the Leslative Council, to-day, and both praised the Dominion’s war effort. Mr. Duncan referred to the heartening effect of the attitude of the United States, and he expressed the belief that a time must come when war would be outlawed. If the Allies desired and worked for a better understanding between nations, they would eventually get a lasting peace. Mr. Connelly said that. Labour was wholeheartedly in this war, because the Nazis suppressed Labour rights, and would rob all the workers of dearly-won privileges if they were victorious. Mr.- Connelly also re-, ferred to a clamour for the abandonment of the 40-hour week. He said that if the war effort were to be impeded or hampered by restricted hours, then the hours should be extended, and, if, they were, the workers would rise to the occasion. However, he would object to the war being used as a stalking horse for the abandonment of the 40-hour week before this was necessary.