Political Roundabout

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23024, 15 August 1949, Page 4

Political Roundabout

INTERESTING WEEK PROMISED IN PARLIAMENT: BUDGET THURSDAY

( P R .) WELLINGTON, Aug. 15. THE political scene livened up last week, demonstrating that party * co-operation to get a good majority for the military service referendum did not develop friendly party feelings.

Mr. Mr. F. Langstone in his crossbench role seemed to revel in the extra publicity, but as an old campaigner took the Opposition compliments lightly because they came from people who know him to be far more to the left than his discarded political associates. A Promising Week With the certainty of the Budget on Thursday night, a fairly sure prospect of the Military Training Bill being introduced and the Leader of the Opposllion. Mr. S. G- Holland, intending to move on Wednesday the second reading of his bill to abolish the Legislative Council the week’s prospects are interesting. After four attempts the House has not exhausted talking points provoked by the sheep industry report, but the Government, having. no further need to fill in time, will probably make Tuesday’s resumed debate the' fifth and the last opportunity. Pastoral production appeared to have exhausted its interest for most members by Friday afternoon, when the House was in charge of the Ministar of Finance. Mr. W. Nash, backed by nine supporters, while the Opposition mustered 17. However, the call of the division bells could have produced a bigger tally because the Government Whips, operating on so narrow a party margin, are shepherding their flock with great efficiency. What’s in th-e Guarantee?

ing £50,000,000. It is an attractive subject for speculation on how they are to be used. The basic idea is that the stored-up millions may some day cushion the shock of depression prices in the primary industry, but Mr. P. Kearins (Govt. Waimarino) voicing a growing sentiment, told the House last week that he had heard farmers wondering when they were going to get some benefit from their own millions. Some have expressed an anxiety to get a share in their own life-time. They are discontented over the possibility of leaving this distribution to posterity, even to the third generation. Agitation for the freehold has ceased because any Crown tenant has become entitled to the privilege. If a political vacuum exists it could be filled by pool account raiding enterprises. An Awkward Moment

The humorous member for Otaki, Mr. J. J. Maher, rose to speak on the sheep industry report and could not find his glasses. He apologised to the House for inability to read his notes, but like most members he filled in the full speaking time effortlessly, thus proving that in his first Parliament hej has developed into a real politician. Mr. Langstone, who is thoroughly enjoying his independece, uses earphones linked to the broadcast system to hear the House debates, but discards them when speaking- He thus enjoys an advantage of not hearing interruptions which might be unfriendly. Now and then, however, a caustic reply to the critic suggests that Mr. Langstone is not so deaf as hearing aids suggest. Questions With a Sting

The Prime Minister, in guaranteeing the second reading for Mr. Holland s bill to abolish the Legislative Council did not venture to promise a division. It means, however, that Mr. Fraser does not intend to exercise his remarkable ingenuity in producing an intercepting motion to throw the bill off the main track.

Judged numerically, members are not so curious this session, their questions to Ministers totalling only 150 after nine weeks’ opportunity for 80 of them.

Such a success as that of last session could hardly be repeated. MrFraser caused the subject to be. referred for investigation by a joint committee of both Houses, which took much evidence and could not agree. The only practical result was a large volume recording mainly past evidences of vain efforts to reform the Upper House. Private members enjoy special privileges on Wednesdays! They usually spend the afternoon saying what they think of Ministers’ answers to their questions. This leaves the evening free for any private members’ bill on the order paper and here comes Mr. Holland’s opportunity for three hours. It is easy to maintain talk over this period without reaching finality in the division lobbies and the talking out process can be continued on successive Wednesdays until the approaching end of the session will necessitate appropriating Wednesdays for Government business. New Crusade Coming The Sheep Industry Commission’s report provided wonderful material for a Government filling in time until the House can hear the Budget. Four debates failed to exhaust the flood of members opinions, which ranged beyond even the discursive pages of the commission’s report and its dozen diagrams. Composting and earthworms have had their place in the discussion and one theme is likely to become the big question of the future. .... This concerns the use of the farmers export pool accounts, now approach-

Mr. Speaker, however, seems more worried than usual about it. Questions, according to standing orders and an informative memorandum addressed by the Speaker to all members last session, are only for the purpose of seeking information from the Government, but some have explanatory notes as long as a speech. The Minister of Labour, Mr. A. McLagan, hardly regards as helpful Mr. J. L. Sutherland’s regular questions based on something awkward which happens so often on the Auckland waterfront, always ending with a demand to know what the Minister is going to do about it. Mr- McLagan last week raised a point of order that Mr. Sutherland’s question was couched in ironical terms. It must be admitted that Opposition members regard the questioning privilege as a pastime. Mr. W. H. G. Sheat, an adept at queries with a party sting in the tail, brought his performances to a climax when he called the attention of the Minister of Justice, Mr. H. G. R. Mason, to heavy thefts of liquor and glasses from trust hotels at Invercargill, demanding of the Minister what steps he intended to take "to discourage this practical application of Socialism.” Mr. Speaker, who cannot interfere until he has heard an unorthodox question, suggested the House of Commons method of “vetting" questions beforehand, but long talk on members’ privileges ended as it began. After all, this is the pre-election session.