PARLIAMENT RESUMES

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 May 1943, Page 2

PARLIAMENT RESUMES

TUNISIAN CAMPAIGN • CONGRATULATIONS EXTENDED WELLINGTON, May* 19. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) moved: That this House of Representatives records its whole-hearted congratulations to the armies of the United Nations, whose .brilliant victory in Tunisia has brought the battle for North Africa ■.to such a triumphant conclusion and expresses its sense of gratitude to the officers and men of the New Zealand (fighting services, who by their sacrifice and steadfast devotion to duty throughout long and arduous campaigns, and by their magnificent achievements, have brought fame and honour to themselves and established for their country the right to speak as a firm and active defender of freedom; and that this House again records its firm determination that New Zealand will continue to devote all its energies and all its resources towards the achievement of final victory, and .records also its sense of solemn obligation to ensure that, with the conclusion of a victorious peace, this Dominion will devote its full efforts towards assisting all people who have suffered for the sake of freedom.” I This was seconded by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Holland), and carried. Mr. Fraser read this message from General Freyberg: “From Tunis I send greetings on behalf of all ranks to our people in New Zealand. We send special good wishes to our comrades who have gone home wounded “or sick, and at this moment of victory we pay our tribute to those who have fallen in the battle during this long and hard desert campaign.” QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS

The Minister of Health (Mr. Nordmeyer), in reply to a question by Mrs. C. C. S. Stewart (Govt. Wgtn. West) said that he had taken up with the military authorities the question of releasing doctors over forty years of age for civil practice. Every effort was being made to ensure that while the reasonable needs of the Armed Forces were met. The claims of the civil population were not neglected. In a notice of question, Mr. W. Sulflivan (National, Bay of (whether the attention of the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Barclay) had been drawn to a report that a conscientious objector was placed in employment on Raukura State Farm. If this was so, would the Minister state if it was the policy of the Government to give such objectors sheltered /State employment during the war period. Mrs. M. M. Dreaver (Govt. Waitemata) gave notice of intention to ask the Prime Minister if legislation would be brought down to prevent the buying and renovating of old houses lor re-sale at inflated prices. She said that this practice was becoming increasingly corqmon and the public, including servicemen, were being exploited. Mr. W. J. Polson (National, Stratford) gave notice of intention to ask the Prime Minister under what regulation, if any, was the Office of War Information, which was publishing party political propaganda over the air, set up. Mr. Polson also asked whether the expenses of this office were being paid from the War Expenses Account, and whether permanent Labour Party propagandists were receiving fees for contributing programmes. He pointed out that the Censorship and Publicity Emergency Regulations provided only for a Director of Publicity. Mr. J. A. Lee (Democratic Labour, Grey Lynn) asked the Minister of Manpower (Mr. McLagan) if he would give instructions that young women should not be directed from jobs where they were able to maintain themselves into work at present existing in northern cities, where wages were dangerously low. A good minimum subsistence standard should be set as the prelude to such transfers.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Earclay) issued a warning regarding the danger involved in eating apparently good fruit or other produce, which had been disposed of because of some fault—he was referring particularly to produce thrown from ships and washed ashore —in replying to a question by Mrs. Stewart, who mentioned a report that Wellington people had picked up and eaten oranges and lemons washed ashore.

LATE MR. PAIKEA The Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) moved: “That this House record its high sense of appreciation of the services of the late Mr. P. K. Paikea, and express sympathy with his family-” This was seconded by the Leader pf the Opposition (Mr. Holland). After several members had spoken to the motion it was carried. The House Hater adjourned as a mark of respect. Before the adjournment, Mr. Fraser In reply to Mr. Holland, indicated that an External Affairs Bill _ would _be introduced during the session. Such a Bill, he said, would amalgamate the Cook, and Samoan Islands under one Department. Mr. Fraser moved an adjournment until 7.30 p.m. to-morrow. He said that a secret session to discuss the war situation would be taken then, and might be continued on Friday. Mr. Holland said there was a feeling that the public was being “locked out.” Mr. Fraser replied that matters to be discussed in secret could not be made public, although some of it might be made public later. He added that the Budget would be presented next Thursday, and that the House would then adjourn for the week-end to enable the Opposition to study it before beginning the debate. The House then adjourned. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL The Legislative Council passed a motion the same as that in the House of Representatives congratulating the Army on the North African victory. The Council also passed a motion of condolence with the relatives of the late Hon. P. K. Paikea and adjourned to June 2.