LIFE OF PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 9 October 1934, Page 2

LIFE OF PARLIAMENT

EXTENSION BILL Passed by Ten Majority WELLINGTON, October 5. The House met at 10.30 a.m. Air McLeod asked the Prime Minister whether ithe Government, as a matter .of urgency, would grant some assistance to the sufferers by the recent Htonn in 'the Wairarapa. to repair the damage done. He said that he had been reciving numerous urgent inquiries from dairy farmers, business people and cithers a*» to what, was to be done. Many people would be unable to repair the damage unless they received financial assistance. Mr Forbes, in reply, said that he had arranged for an o flic er of the Public Wiorks Departmeiut to visit the locality. When his report was received, the matter of granting assistance would be considered by the Government. Some assistance had already been granted.

Consideration ofi the estimates in ■ommi’ttee was resumed.

Mr Savage protested against the Native Affairs Department being considered just, a* if nothing had happened in that Department. In view of the recent happenings, he considered thalt, with so many other items, that, could be discussed. that flhat item should be left until the report of the Royal Commission w r as presented to the House. Mr Forbes said that he could not understand Ithe Opposition taking up that, attitude, but the money had been expended. a ad no matter what the finding of the Commission Avas. the estimate had to be passed. The whole question could not be discussed on the estimates. An opportunity for tlha.t would he given when the report was before, the House. The Government had been subjected to all sorts of charges, which were entirely unfounded, and the Government had sufficient confidence in the Chairman of the Commission, who was a member of the Supreme Court Bench, that an unbiased report would be presented. Air Veitch contended tha>t the Afinier of Native Affairs avhs on his trial, and Avith the information available to members, the House avus able to make a fair decision, lit avhs decidedly unfair that the House shouM gra.nit the Alin'ister mimiey to carry on the Department till the end of the year until the recommendations of (he Commission were known. The matter did not affect only the Native race, bwt all the taxpayers of New Zealand.

The protest was supported bv other nieinbcrs.

Air Tau Henare asked why objec tion Avas not taken to tihe passing <>! the Agricultural Department vte when the report of Ithe- Dairy Comr.iis sion was not available.

Mr Savage staid that the two sets of circumstances were quite different. Tn the Native Affairs Department. there was a suggestion of maladministration. He moved, as n protest, that the vdte be reduced by £5. Air Coates said that he did not think that the Commission’s report would be reeeiA’-ed before October 20. Parliament Avould not rise until it had that report. It avhs possible that t!he est.ipiatcs would have Ho be. out of the way by that time. I't was hoped to finish the estimates in a Aveek or ten days. The Dairy Commission’s report Avas expected by October 15. It would then be possible to say when the session would finish. Air Vei'tch moved that the Committee report progress, and ask leave to ‘■it again. That, he said, wrould lhave the effect of postponing the ’item till a. later date.

A division was called for on Mr Veitch’s amendment, which Avas defeated by* 34 'to 25.

A division avus also called for an Mr Savage’s amendment. This aa’hs defeated by 35 to 25.

Sir A. T. Ngata replying said there wao not a single item likely to be affected by the Commission. Even if an officer Avas to be dismissed, he had to; be paid up to the time of h'is dismissal. Even if the Native development schemes were stopped. Avhich he thought the last ithing Parliament should do, payments would have to be made up to the time of the stoppage. Complaints had been made of 'the shortage in staffs. The estimates this year showed an increase of £4OOO, which was an earnest of the reorganisation.

The item was passed. Coming to the Defence Department Mr Lee said that a 'thousand men who fought in the last Avar avctc now starving. The Government Avas ad ’ ting a cheeseparing policy in me *, matters, yet was greatly increasing the vote to acquire military equipment. It was a. multiplication by nearly two of killing machinery, not a replacement of obsolete material by up-to-date things. lie thought the sentiment of the people was entirely against such a (thing.

Air Langston© considered that aerial defence was the only arm of the Department that should be developed for the protection of New Zealand. It Avas more ess'ent'ial that the Goviornment should provide bread for the people than p’OAvder to fire at targets.

Mr Richards asked what class of gun it Avas proposed to secure, and whether they wrore up->to-date, Avhat amo'unt was expended on radio talks on defence and preparation for the next Avar, and what amount Avas involved in talks to school children. Air Clyde Carr contended that the bes't defence (to-day was to be defenceless. The lunch adjournment was taken. FOUR YEAR PARLIAMENTS. In the House Mr Smith, .on behalf of the Committee of Privileges, reported on the publication of the evidence of the Secretary of the New Zealand Alasiter Bakers’ Federaition, given before the Industries and Commerce

Committee. The Secretary had appeared before the Committee am! hud expressed regret and had said the publication of the evidence was done in ignorance of the standing orders. The Comniititee recommended that no action should be taken. The report was tabled and the recommendation agreed to. Mr Forbes >aid that Air IL IL Holland desired to have the Religious Instruction in Schools E,nalding Bill referred to the Education Committee. The mo'tion for the second reading was withdrawn. The Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Education Committee. Urgency w:uj moved for the passing of the Electoral Amendment (No. 2) Bill. This was opposed by Mr Savage. A division was called for, and the motion was carried by 36 to Consideration of 'the Bill in committee was resumed, when the former arguments aga'inst the extension of ‘he life of Parliament were used by labour and Independent members. 'The Prime Minister replied as beMr Savage salid he had discovered no reason for not leaving >the matter of extension of the term of Parliament- for the next Parliament. The matter couhl be discussed with the electors in 'the meantime. He had not heard a substantial reason from the Prime Minister, why the Bill should .be rushed through. It was not necessary for the present Parliament to do something 'that the next Parliament eould do for itself. Other speakers spoke on similar lines.

'l'he Chairman stated that the arguments being used were verging on tedious repetition. Mrs McCombs said that besides expending the life of Parliament for a year, it also extended bv a year the period between licensing polls. She thought that aspect of the question had not been sufficiently stressed. She wondered if (there was anything sinister behind tire proposal, and said feeling was becoming stronger and stronger that drinking among young people was extending. Tlh.e people generally l , and parents would not stand for that. Had’ that feeling gathered a ’ittle more heat, the Government would no't have dared to take the step it was now taking. The extension of the term between polls would mean that 'the people would not be able to control the evil that was threatening their children. Why was the Government delivering the peopk' into the hands of liquor traffic?

Air Sullivan characterised the BilJ as a flti't defiance of public opinion! and :aid that many newspapers which usually supported the Government were opposed to the present measure and advanced cogent arguments against it. He did not think there was a single newspaper in New Zealand that .supported the Government in its action. Air Lang.- .tone said that ;-.n election was held in 1890 and another in 1893. Tn those uhree years. some of the most significant legislation ever placed on the Statute Book was passed. Tha*t showed the term of Parliament had little effect. It was the calibre 1 of members that counted. The short title was passed by 36 to I Clause two was also challenged but I was passed by 35 to 25, and the Bill' was reported wit hour amendment. On the th id reading Air Savage repeated the ground on which the Opposition opposed the Bill, and said i't had done its best to prevent -the measure becoming law. It now put the responsibility on the Government. Several members expressed their Views on the measure. The third reading was carried by 35 to 25. and thei Bill passed.