PARLIAMENT DEBATES TRANSPORT BILL
Industrial Relations Bill Passed WELLINGTON, Aug. 2?’ The acting leadership of the House was taken over by the Minister of Finance, Rt Hon W. Nash, when he resumed his seat in the House of Representatives today after his short absence in the United Kingdom. During discussion of the Industrial Relations Bill, which was put through the committee stages, Mr A. McLagan said, in reply to Mi- M. Oram (Nat., Manawatu) that there would be -a greater prospect of success in the working of the proposed Industrial Advisory Council if an independent chairman was appointed. There vvould be an equal number of representatives of the employers and employees on that and the other councils. The bill was passed. Hon F. Hackett moving the second reading of the Transport ' Bill said that there had been some criticism as to rapid increase in staff in the Transport Department, but the Department’s responsibilities had also grown rapidly. Mr Hackett said the department now controlled the traffic in and out of 123 cities, towns and boroughs, at their request. This could not be done without employing more traffic officers. The Minister mentioned that during the period of petrol rationing, the consumption had gone up from sixty-one millions to 102 million gallons. Mr G. H. Mackley (Nat., Masterton) while agreeing that it was time the legislation should be consolidated, said it would have been desirable for the Minister to circulate the bill to all organisations and interested parties before the House so that their opinions could be obtained on the new clauses introduced. Mr E W. Smith (Nat.. Hobson) said the time was overdue when the Government and local bodies using vehicles for which they did not Day registration fees should carry readily distinguishable number plates. It was customary for many years that Ministerial cars should carry the distinguishing number plate, but the prefix to these number had been changed some years ago. Ministerial cars now bore a number being within the group “221”. The public did not know the significance of that. Ministers were apparenty intent on getting away from showing the public what cars were used by the Government. Hon Mr Nordmeyer: Who started it? Mr Smith: I don’t care who started it. It might have been Noah Mr Nordmeyer: It was your friend. Mr Smith said he had no objection to a minister using an official car for all his public business and in fact for private business. That was something to which he was entitled because of the sacrifices of time required of him. There had been instances of ministerial cars being seen in localities where there were no ministers. Strict supervision should be exercised ever use of oars by persons other than Ministers themselves. Government voice: Name one mstance Mr Smith: I make this charge because it. is true.
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Grey River Argus, 3 August 1949, Page 7
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472PARLIAMENT DEBATES TRANSPORT BILL Grey River Argus, 3 August 1949, Page 7
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