PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1937, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

DEBATE CONTINUES LEADER OF OPPOSITION. (Pet Press Association—Copyright). WELLINGTON, September 17. The House met at 2.30 p.m. for the transaction of formal business. A number of private bills were introduced and read a first time, and the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Hill was introduce by the Governor’s message and read a first time. The hill’s purpose is to rectify the position created by the Court of Appeal judgment in connection with the Clerical Workers’ Union. It will provide for a widened definition of the term “Industry,” thus making at possible for clerks in any office, including woolhrokeEs, which was the issue raised in the judgment, to join the general organisation of clerical work-

The Acting-Minister of Labour (’the Hon P. C. Webb) explained that Die bill was merely to reinstate what present and past Governments, as well as the Arbitration Court, had always understood the law to be.

The Speaker drew the attention of the House to the frequent barrages of interjections, while members were speaking, and asked members in the interests of radio listener*! to refrain from immaterial interjections, and to assist him in maintaining a decorous Parliamentary procedure. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. when the Address-in-Reply debate continued.

'The Leader of the Opposition (the Hon A. Hamilton) in moving an amendment that the Government did did not possess the confidence of the House, because of its persistent encroachments on the rights of private ownership, its failure to fulfil election pledges to reduce unemployment ; its failure to give dairy farmers a better standard of living and to reduce the cost of living; also its interference with the judicial system, ana its failure to abolish the wages tax and reduce taxation. Mr Hamilton criticised the Government’s legislation on lines indicated in his amendment. He was followed by the Minister of Education (the Hon P. Fraser) who refuted the Leader of the Opposition’s charges and presented figures to show that the' country was more prosperous to-day than it had ever been in .the past, and the people were enjoying more confidence and prosperity. The House adjourned at 9.35 until 10.30 a.m. to-day.

IN THE COUNCIL The Address-in-Reply debate was continued in the Legislative Council, which met a * 2-30 P-m----'The Hon F. Waite,-discussiug the in-

ternal situation, said that while wars were going on a great deal of work was being done to prevent their spread. The actions of the 'Scandinavian countries, France, Britain, and the United States showed that all were anxious to bring about a better understanding between the nations. On the other hand, there was an obvious struggle between Communism anci Fascism in .Spain, and between Socialism in Russia and what was virtually Fascism in Japan.

Mr Waite said that he believe-' Czechoslovakia might also prove a trouble point, because it looked as if Germany would make it a seconu Spain. Freer trade and greater tolerance would lead to better relations between the nations, and it was the duty of every government to endeavour to bring that a boat. Tim Hon Vincent Ward also referred to the international situation, and said lie was sure that if the volunteer defence system in New Zealand did not prove adequate the Government would use other means; hut he hoped this wiould not be .necessary. New Zealand needed more population, to prevent foreign countries from saying the land was not being occupied, to provide men foi defence, to reduce dependence on overseas markets, to encourage manufacturing without upsetting the balance of overseas trade, and to reduce overhead costs per

capita. The Hon W. IV. Snodgrass said he was very sorry the mover and seconder had defended the Government. The Government did not need defending and if it did the Council was not the place to defend it. The Council should be without politics, and should receive and consider measures brought before .it with an open mind. The Council adjourned at 4.30 p.in. TO-DAY’S SITTING MR FORBES CONTINUES DEBATE WELLINGTON, Sepember 16. The House met at 10.30 a.m. when the Hon G. W. Forbes continued the debate on the Address-in-Reply. He stated he did not join with any general condemnation of the Ministers’ tours overseas. Such tours broanenou their outlook and better equipped them to conduct the affairs of the country. Mr Forbes characterised the Hon P. Fraser's speech in the debate as mostly “chipping” at the Opposition. He contended the Government had not dealt with unemployment as it had promised to do. It was time to get down to the basic cause of unemployment and to see to its elimination.

Mr Forbes criticised the Government’s legislation dealing with under

rate workers and pointed out that the past Government had- conducted the country safely through one of the leanest times in its history. The present Government must be finding it somewhat embarrassing finding avenues for spending all the money which was corning into the country, in these unprecedentally properoug times. Mr Barnes said the Opposition continually referred to members of the Government .as Socialists, but he contended the term socialism presupposed a high order of intelligence. He doubted if the opposition realised this. He added that the Labour Government had proved conclusively that it had been worthwhile.' Mr Endean stated the Government had claimed when it had taken office that the ship of state had been on the rocks, hut in his opinion no greater fallacy could have been uttered. He attacked the Government’s policy in regard to “B” class radio stations, claiming that its pre-election promises to protect these stations had Pot been kept. He claimed there had been a Higfit of capital from the Dominion, and asked what sane individual overseas would send capital to invest in this country tinder the existing fear of insecurity. Fie also considered that New Zealand was not spending enough money on defence. Mr Moneur drew attention to. the work which the Government was doing for the relief of Maori unemployed. Dealing with the shortage of farm labour, he said the past Government had been to a large extent responsible for this because it had forced young men to leave the country for town? to find work. The House adjourned at 1 p.m,