Political Roundabout

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22729, 30 August 1948, Page 4

Political Roundabout

STING GOES OUT OF FINANCIAL DEBATE (P.R.) WELLINGTON', August 30. Much of the sting has gone out of the financial debate since it has been made clear that the parties differ only on the method of applying the exchange alteration, but there is ample material for talk when the House resumes this week.

Licensing and gaming legislators for generations hare always been diffident about licensing and gaming questions, which cut across the track of parties and may divide one’s friends unless diplomatic skill and caution are shown. The only firm promise likely to be given is that the electors should have a full opportunity of deciding important questions for themselves. CLASH OF VIEWS That is the position with the parties today, but the Government, which has the responsibility of submitting referendum legislation to the House, appears to be experiencing much difficulty in getting agreement within its own ranks. It was anticipated that the licensing points would have been finalised a week ago, but the caucus was brief and no progress was made, according to unofficial reports. However, the Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, has definitely promised the legislation lor this session, and has also satisfied the principal parties, including the hotel workers, that they will be given the fullest opportunity of considering the proposals before the House begins to legislate. Meanwhile, the Government plods steadily on with its own programme and there is a feeling 1 that it intends to secure all the legislation it needs before commencing what might be a time-consuming job on the licensing measure. The most outstanding issue in the Gaming Commission’s report was that of legalising ofT-course belting. It set out a method and its clear-cut reconimendation makes legislation easier than in connection with the licensing law complications. One can confidently forecast that the ofT-course betting proposal is to be suomitted to the electors for their opinion before Parliament is asked to overhaul generally. HIS ANNUAL SPEECH The exchange issue has been the main financial debate topic so far, though members have commenced to provide variations. Mr. A. S. Sutherland, from the country constituency of Hauraki, south of Auckland, following ihe excellent principle that attack is the best form of defence, countered the South Island's claims tor greater consideration by detailing important works to benefit his own area, complaining that they had been neglected for years in strong contrast with the Government’s consideration for Wellington. “It gets everything that opens and shuts.’ declared the critic. This was a striking but familiar phrase which reminded people who are obliged to listen to debates that Mr. Sutherland used it with the same verbal surroundings last session, and also the session before.

ANCIENT HISTORY The annual report of the Export Division of the Marketing Department was tabled last week in the House, but its 50 pages, though useful as history, were sadly out or date for the current discussions. The balance sheet figures were date'd July 31, 1947, over a year ago, an outof- date presentation of the much discussed millions in the produce pool accounts. A possible explanation is that information must be collected from both sides of the world, and then ofliciallv audited in New Zealand. This tardy completion of accounts is in line with the submissions of the Estimates of Expenditure for the year ended March 31, 1949, tendered to Parliament for approval five months after the expenditure for that year began to be incurred. NOT SUSPICIOUS Parliament grounds have been colourful in the last few weeks, the Dutch Government’s presentation bulbs having thoroughly adapted themselves to the New Zealand climate. They flowered splendidly thanks to a retarding process evolved by experts to overcome the difference between the growing seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres. Another good feature is the planting of trees to break up large vistas of grass. They happen to be. the tall and slender cypress, known to ancient civilisation as the funeral trees. Today’s Parliamentarians see nothing ominous about that. MEMBERS’ LITTLE SLIPS Farmer members of the Opposition dubious over any immediate advantages from parity of exchange with Britain have been discounting the enthusiasm of the Minister of Industries and Commerce. Mr. A. H. Nordmeyer. However, one effort tended more to discount their farmer friends. Commenting on the Minister's statement that the price of porcelain baths had already gone down, the critic said: “That is no good to the farmer. He wouldn’t use one in a 100 years.” It was another country member who during a discussion of the relative costs of textiles said he preferred coloured towels. “They keep clean longer,” he explained. INTERJECTIONS ANNOY Interjections annoyed Mr. T. C. Webb (Oppos. Rodney), while attempting to disentangle some problem of exchange. Mr. F. Langstonef Govt. Roskill) was particularly vociferous, so Mr. Webb threw at him a verbal shaft borrowed from Bernard Shaw: “How can I hear what you say when what you are is thunder in my ears?” he said.