PARLIAMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 254, 23 September 1933, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

* ADMINISTRATION OF RELIEF. MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS. POSITION OF PENSIONERS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 22. The House of Representatives met at 3 p.m., when further petitions asking for an amendment to the Gaming Act were presented. , , , ~ Mr A. S. Richards asked whether the Minister of Employment (Hon. A. Hamilton) would issue instructions to the relief employing authorities to provide the maximum of employment to all male unemployed whose wives were eligible for old-age pensions. He said extreme hardships were being inflicted upon many homes because of the reduction of work and wages being made on account of the wife being given an old-age pension, in part or whole. Mr Hamilton said the extent to which the unemployed were relieved was governed by the amount of the money going into the home. It sncli men were granted the same scale of relief as those whose wives were not m receipt of any income, it would place them in a better position than other relief workers. B CLASS RADIO STATIONS. Mr F. Jones asked the PostmasterGeneral whether the Government intended to restrict or cancel the right of B class radio stations to broadcast sponsored programmes. Mr Hamilton said licenses to operate B class broadcasting stations were issued from April 1 each year for a period of 12 months only, and no alterations would be made during that period. NEW BILLS. The following Bills were read the first time: Judicial Proceedings, Regulation of Reports (Hon. J. G. Cobbe); Banks’ Indemnity (Exchange) Repeal (Mr W. A. Vietch); New Plymouth Airport (Mr S. G. Smith); Bay of Plenty Licensing Committee Enabling (Mr K. S. Williams); Meat Export Control Amendment (Mr W. J. Poison) ; School Committees Enabling (Mr R. MeKeen); British Nationality and Status of Aliens in New Zealand (Mr P. Fraser); Distress and Replevin Amendment (Mr P. Fraser). The House rose at 5.15 p.m. till 2.30 on Tuesday. Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes said that tributes to deceased legislators would then be paid and the Address-in-Reply debate be initiated in the evening. EXCHANGE POLICY. # INDEMNITY FOR BANKS. REPEAL ADVOCATED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 22. Introducing the Banks Indemnity (Exchange) Repeal Bill in the House of Representatives this afternoon, Mr W. A. Veitch said it was simply proposed to repeal last session’s legislation which empowered the Government to compensate the banks for any losses they might suffer through the compulsory raising of the exchange rate. He had voted against the original legislation and to-day lie was convinced that as a result of raising the exchange conditions had developed which had proved more harmful than anyone had predicted. The effect of the Government’s class-con-scious attitude had been devastating to the industrial, commercial and wage and salary elements, and the benefits which it had been alleged would accrue to the farming community had been largely imaginary. High exchange had benefited only that section which was better described as large landowners. There were hundreds of people who were being driven from their homes by economic conditions, which were largely due to the high rate of exchange. Mr F. Langstone said Parliament had had no say in fixing the rate of exchange, and alleged that the action of the Government had allowed unlimited speculation by “those in the know.” Farmers had now freely admitted that the alteration had not benefited them. Mr W. J. Poison: Nonsense. Mr A. Harris invited the Government to sponsor the Bill and repair the wrong it had done earlier in the year. History had proved every word of the denunciation which had been delivered against the Government’s policy. The Administration would lose nothing in prestige if it admitted its mistake and took action to remedy it. Incalculable harm had been done to city dwellers and the benefits claimed for the rural section had not been realised. Commercial development had been paralysed to a large extent and a harsh brake had been applied to importations, with a consequent loss of Customs revenue.

COST OF INDEMNITY? Mr R. A. Wright commented on the silence of supporters of the high exchange policy and asked the Minister of Finance to tell the House what would be the cost of the indemnity to the country. Mr D. G. Sullivan said that what had happened in the case of the Southland Power Board was an indication of the grave difficulties that had been created for local bodies through the depreciation of the currency in the interests of one particular section or the community. The Government had intimated that it would introduce legislation compelling the Southland Power Board to pay. It would be interesting to see how it would do it. While the Christchurch CityCouncil had met its obligations in sterling, because it desired to play the game with the people from whom it had borrowed money, members at the same time resented the additional debt service cost they had to meet through the Government’s high exchange policy. Mr Sullivan said that if a referem dum were taken, 90 per cent, of the votes would be against the Government’s attitude.

Mr P. Fraser said that if the Government members who were supporting the measure were sincere they should vote the Government out at the first opportunity. Mr A. J. Stalhvorthy said the raising of the exchange rate had cost Auckland metropolitan local bodies in one year in interest and capital charges the sum of £200,000. Rev. C. Carr said the Government’s action had been an attempt to deal with effects instead of causes. SOUTHLAND BOARD’S ACTION. Mr D. McDougall said the Southland Power Board was prepared to honour its pledeges. Every debenture it had issued stated that interest would be paid in New Zealand pounds and the board would pay as it had promised. The Government had deflated the currency, but that was not the board’s fault. He hoped the Minister of Finance did not think his telegram had frightened the people of Southland. “They are hard to frighten down there,’’, he added. Mr R. Semple said he had not met one farmer who claimed any benefit from the high exchange rate: The Bill was read the first time on the voices.

DECEASED LEGISLATORS. ■ TRIBUTES IN UPPER HOUSE. LATE SIR THOMAS SIDEY. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 22. The Legislative Council met at 3 p.m. Sir Francis Bell, who had been reappointed during the recess, was sworn in. In moving a motion recording their sense of appreciation of the distinguished services rendered to New Zealand by the late Sir Thomas Sidey, Sir James Parr, (Leader of the Council) said the death of Sir Thomas had been a shock to all members of the Council. His life had been a most useful one. He had been a man of considerable capacity and had possessed a likeable character and disposition. His services to education had been outstanding and his activities in Dunedin had been innumerable. Sir Thomas had been the pioneer of daylight saving legislation, which had first been received with ridicule but which was eventually adopted. Not soon would they look upon his like again. Sir Francis Bell said all remembered the day four years ago when Sir Thomas Sidey had entered the Council as Leader. He had shown a quiet competence, which had won the personal regard of his fellow Councillors. Hon. J. A. Hanan said that not only had Sir Thomas shown initiative and constructive ability, but he had also shown kindliness, understanding and a high sense of honour and justice. Hon. D. Buddo and Hon. M. Fagan also paid tributes. Moving a similar motion in respect of the Jate Hon. G. M. Thomson, Sir James Parr said the deceased member had had a distinguished career as a schoolmaster and a scientist. He had served six years as a member of the House of Representatives and 14 years in the Legislative Council. He had been a great pioneer and had rendered conspicuous service to the Dominion during a wonderfully fine and pure life. Sir James Allen said Otago owed a great deal to the educational work of a great scientist and a great lover of nature. z Hon. R. Scott and Hon. J. A. Hanan also spoke of the outstanding qualities of the late Mr Thomson. Speaking on a similar motion in respect of the late Mr Wiremu Rikihana, Sir James Parr said the deceased gentleman had been a member of the Legislative Council from 1923 to 1930, during which period he had done fine service on behalf of the Maoris.

Hou. R. Moore said Mr Rikihana had been held in the highest respect by his colleagues. The motions were adopted and the Council adjourned at 5.15 p.m. as a mark of respect to the deceased members.