PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 July 1945, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS. WELLINGTON, July 19. Ip the House of Representatives today, a Criminal Appeal Bill was introduced and read for the first time. Mr. Mason explained that the right of appeal in Criminal cases had been much more restricted in New Zealand than it was years ago. This Bill provided an enlargement of their rights, similar to that in Britain. It did not ’ affect any rights, but enlarged the authority of the Court of Appeal. | Mr. Combs (Government, Wellingi.ton Suburbs) gave notice to ask the 'Minister of Finance whether his atI tention had been drawn to the fact ■ that £25,000 was being raised by the I Associated Chambers of Commerce to. conduct a campaign against the Government, whether he was aware that businessmen were being sent demands for amounts arbitrarily fixed by the Chamber of Commerce, and whether such compulsory levy would exempt the donor from income tax payment on the amount given. Mr. Cotterill (Government, Wanganui) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view, of the improved position of shipping, representations to have overseas vessels calling at New ,? ealan f d In L7/y revert to the practice of loading at smaller ports, would be made to the British Ministry of Shipping. Mr. Cotterill said the smaller harbour .boards which had been prepared to make sacrifices in the war effort considered that the time had come when there should be a reversion to the prewar practice. Mr. McKeen (Government, Wellington South) gave notice to ask the Minister of Internal Affairs whether his attention had been drawn to the result of questionnaires issued to residents by local organisations in Hawera, 'Wanganui, and Wellington, to ascertain their opinions on the licensing of bookmakers. Mr. McKeen quoted figures showing that the replies were overwhelmingly in favour of licensing bookmakers, and said that as those figures gave a clear indication of the opinion of an important cross-section of the communities, would the Minister take immediate steps to facilitate the licensing ol bookmakers. ± x Mr. Sheat (Opposition, Patea) gave notice to move for a return showing: first the total number of import license’s granted during the last two years for the import of machinery and/or materials for the establishment of new daily newspapers in New Zealand; second, the number of newspapers concerned in such licenses and the localities in which they were to be established; third, the value of such import licenses from Great Britain, Empire countries, and foreign countries. ADDRESS DEBATE ENDED. WELLINGTON, July 15. The Address-in-Reply debate concluded in the House tnis afternoon. The debate was conducted by Government speakers. Those members still available on the Opposition benches did not offer to take part. This resulted in the debate coming to an end shortly after 5 p.m. Mr. Cotterill (Govt., Wanganui) said that the control of prices had protected the small man against the big combines. This had also prevented violent fluctuations in prices, and had ensured stability. While price controls had been a war-time measure, he considered that price control should continue after the war. Mr. Richards (Govt., Roskill), said that the only political movement in the world which could claim to be truly a Christian movement was that of Labour and Socialism. Labour’s aims were “all for each and each lor all.” Its aim was not, as in private enterprise, “the devil take the hindmost.” Under private enterprise, there had to be a war every few years to enable men and women to get a decent uniform and decent food. Private enterprise was the cruellest system in the world, and it would have to give way, in many instances, io State enterprise. Mr. Tirikatcnc (Govt., Southern Maori), reminded the House of the deeds of the Maori Battalion overseas, and said that, although th.? Battalion had been supported on a voluntary basis, there always were more avail-; able than were needed. The Maori was recognised as a full brother to Hie Pakeha, and h? insisted that there should be no discrimination between the races by the Department administering rehabilitation. Mr. 'McKeen (Govt.. Wellington South), said that New Zealand manufacturers had been asked, by Parliament, to establish war industries, and they had done so; and, now, they must be given a guarantee that their industries would continue into the peace; that their employees would be enabled to continue in employment; and that the machinery which they had imported would continue in use. Mr. McKeen said that the Opposition claimed that high taxation was preventing these industries from expanding into peace-time production, but, at the same time, high dividends were .still being paid, and reserves were growing, and not one shareholder had lost one penny piece from fees or dividends, because of taxation. Mr. E. P. Meaclien, the mover, replied to the debate, and the address-in-reply was then approved. FINANCE BILL WELLINGTON. July 19... A Finance Bill was introduced by Mr. Nash, and read the first time tonight by the House. Mr. Polson (Nat. Stratford), when the House met, said members of the Opposition had not received their copies of the Bill until after ten. They had not had time to study the measure. Some of the clauses were farreaching and intricate. The Minister’s explanation would be helpful, but the Opposition would like any further debate on the Bill to be postponed. Mr. Nash said that the debate could go on to-morrow, and on Monday, if necessary. He considered that after he had 'moved the second reading, the debate could go on into the evening. The Sneaker (Mr. Schramm), said he would see that the rights of minorities were observed, and he called on Mr. Nash to speak. Mr. Nash then went through the Bill, clause by clause, in detail. Describing a clause authorising payments from accounts under the Marketing Act, the Minister said that this would enable the Marketing Department to reimburse certain payments made by the Government to stabilise the cost of the production, processing, and export of primary products. Mr. Polson, said that if stabilisation was to be applied in New Zealand, it should be applied to every section, and not only to farmers, upon whom, he said, the economy of the country depended. Britain had obtained a benefit by buying New Zealand produce at a low price. Bulk payments were made in recognition of those prices, and were earned by primary producers, who did not receive them. One part of the community, he said, had earned money which had been taken to bolster up other sections of the community. If that policy were' continued, it would sell farmers into slavery. Mr. Williams (Got. Kaiapoi), said that the farmers had benefited . as much as anyone else had from the stabilisation. Lump sum payments were made by Britain. They were made because New Zealand had kept down the cost of production by 1 the stabilisation measures, which

were paicj for.out of the general funds. Mr. Mackley (Nat. Masterton), said the Government would be the first to object if a private employer paid the superannuitant only two hundred pounds because he was receiving three hundred pounds superannuation, but that was just what the Government was doing. x Mr. McCombs (Govt. Lytteltjon), said.the Bill went a long way to remove an injustice to re-employed civil servants. It made the payment of increases retrospective to the time when the increases were made. The debate was adjourned, and the House rose at 10.23. END OF THE WAR. WELLINGTON, July 19. An official interpretation of the expression “duration and termination of the war” is given in a clause in the Finance Bill, introduced and read a first time in the House of Representatives to-day. The clause states that wherever in any act or regulations passed or made since September 3, 1939, reference is made to the war, the present war, the war with Germany, or the war witn Germany and any other State or States, the duration or termination thereof or any equivalent expression, it shall be interpreted- by the following rules:— (a) The war is the war with Germany that commenced on September 3, 19'39, and includes the war with Japan. (b) The war shall be deemed to be existent until a date to be named as the date of the termination of the war by proclamation by the Gover-nor-General published in the Gazette. (c) The date to be named in that proclamation as the date of the termination of the war shall be the date of such termination for the purposes of every such enactment, and. the war shall for such purposes be deemed to continue and to be existent until that date. Judicial cognisance by the Courts, required by any enactment, of the existence or the termination of the state of war shall be governed by the clause. Section 24 of the War Legislation and Statute Law Amendments Acts, 1918,-is to be read subject to the provisions in the clause. TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. WELLINGTON, July 20. . A number of. interesting matters were raised by way of questions addressed to Ministers when the House of Representatives met this morning. Mrs. Ross gave notice to ask the Minister of Supply if' the Government would consider lifting restrictions on the importation of vacuum cleaners, in view of the shortage of help for mothers. Mr. Corbett gave notice to ask the same Minister if he would consider importing cement from Australia. Mr. Corbett said that much important work was being held up because of the cement shortage and a number of men had been dismissed as the result.

Mr. Corbett also gave notice to ask the Minister of National Service if the fact that farmers had refused to employ conscientious objectors would prejudice the release of men who had been recommended for leave without pay from the forces. He claimed that in two instances farmer reservists had been mobilised and attempts had been made to manpower conscientious objectors into their places. Mr. Connolly gave notice to ask the Minister in charge of Civil Aviation (Mr. Jones) whether he would indicate what assistance, either material or financial, he intends to give aero clubs. In a note to the question, Mr. Connolly suggested the clubs would help to maintain the training and knowledge of many Air Force personnel. (Proceeding).