PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1937, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

IN THE HOUSE

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE.

(Per Press Association—Copyright)

WELLINGTON, September 23

The House met at 2.30 p.m., when the Address-in-Reply debate entered its fifth day.

Air Hunter supported the Labour Government against attacks by the press of the Dominion, contending that the names of Labour speakers at different functions had frequently been omitted, and letters by Labour supporters praising Labour legislation were not often published in correspondence columns. Air Cobbo stated under the present legislation numbers of dairy farmers were parting with their herds amt going in for sheep farming.

Air Petrie refuted the Leader of the Opposition’s charge that the Labour Government was responsible for the serious lack of confidence in the country.

Sir Alfred Ransom said the National Government’s actions had always been aimed at the Betterment of the country. and he hoped when the Budget ■proposals were brought down, no added burden of taxation would be placed on secondary industries. The deflate was continued in the evening, the principal speakers being the Alinister of Public Works (the Hon R. Semple) who said certain statements had been circulated about him which amounted almost to slander. He was referring to the subject of Public Works contracts. He had been accused of bringing foreign machinery Inonly country in the world that had never used his influence in any shape or form to divert tenders. He left the selection of tlie most suitable tenders to his engineers, and this they had always done. Referring to the toll of the road, Air Semple said considering the law of averages, the present campaign had been responsible for keeping seventy people out of their coffins in the Dominion and New Zealand was the only counltry in the world that had been able to reduce the number of the toll of the roads.’ He intended to ask for further legislation this session, giviing increased control of transport. The debate was continued by Air H. Atmore and Air Herring and tlie House rose at 1.20 p.m.

THE COUNCIL

WELLINGTON. September 22. The Legislative Council met at 2.0 u p.m. The Hon Sir .Tames Allen presented a petition asking leave to introduce the Church of England Trust Amendment Act, 1937.

The Hon Sir Charles Statham presented a petition asking leave to introduce the Wellington Diocesan Board of Trustees Empowering Bill. The Hon C. J. Carrington introduced the Alsatian Dog Bill, 1937, which was read a first time.

Continuing the Address-in-Replv debate, tbe Hon T. F. Doyle supported the Government’s policy and praised pensions legislation and public works activity.

The Hou T. Bloodworth said the Governor-General’s speech bad inferred to allegiance to the principle oi collective security and then to the need for a co-ordination of Empire defence. Those two views were in conflict. The League of Nations had failed in part, but any organisation would fail unless members supported it. The old system of the balance of power had failed completely. The British Empire should realise the value of collective security because without it the Empire could not hold together. Unless there was a revival in favour of collective security the present armament race must lead to a war of destruction or to universal bankruptcy.

Discussing housing, Mr Bloodworth said that there was a great difference between building homes and housing the people. The Government was building houses but had not yet touched the problem of housing people. Private enterprise had tailed to house people because it bad reft that field when profits were reduced. In all cities there were workers who had to live near their work, and the Government should assist municipalities to .cTervr lawav derpdonf areas so that homes could be built for those workers. The building of single unit homes was not tackling the problem at all. Sweden was a Tand without slums ber-n,se the Government bad assisted building societies and lnrtfvi,b,ak and the New Zealand Government should do the same.

To secure labour for budding Mr Bloodworth suggested the establishment of D'ade schools, from wT-ich vnuncr people could enter industry. Mr Bloodworth added that h« supported tbe Government, but bad olteied friendly criUcisrn because a flatterer was not a true friend. He wanted the Government to succeed for its own cake and because the eyes of the‘world were upon New Zealand, and its failure would be a severe bW to t he progress of the social and Labour principles for which so many had fought.