PARLIAMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 313, 1 December 1933, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

NO-CONFIDENCE AMENDMENT. DEFEATED BY 38 VOTES TO 25. QUESTION OF PENSION CUTS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. 30. Progress with the Estimates was delayed by an amendment moved in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Mr W. E. Parry to the formal motion to enable consideration of a departmental vote to be resumed. Mr Parry moved that, in the opinion of the House, the time had arrived for the Government to take into favourable consideration the restoration of the cuts in pensions. He said the reductions in pensions had created a greater impression on the people than any other action of the Government. Many pensioners were suffering acutely, and were it not for the relief given them by hospital and charitable aid boards, their plight would be serious indeed. The Prime Minister seemed to be very optimistic about the future and the rise in wool prices was being taken as a sign of returning prosperity; thus it was most opportune that pensioners should be reinstated to at least their former position. Mr H. G. R. Mason said that pension payments did not increase production costs, but they increased consumption. The money represented by the pension payments went into circulation again. Mr F. Langstone said it was .essential that the circulation of goods should be increased through the medium of money. Mr A, M. Samuel said that surely the House should realise there was a class of society which could not fend for. itself and that the House had a responsibility so far as that class was concerned. He declared that the pension cuts had been uncharitable, unwarranted and unsound economically. “This is a vote of no-confidence,” he said, “and I do not suppose the Government members will vote for it.” Mr R. Semple said it had been stated that there was no money to restore pension cuts; yet £500,000 had been granted to the building schemes of rich concerns.

Mr A. S. Richards said that sound economy did not mean that pensions should be cut down to a miserable level.

Mr D.'-W. Coleman said that the Government, in reducing pensions, had gone back on its election pledges. Rev. C. Carr characterised the reductions as most unwarranted.

Mr j. A. Lee said that aged people could live longer if they had that sense of security which came from a decent income.

Mrs E. R. McCombs expressed a belief that the Government had reached that stage When it could no longer withstand an appeal for the restoration of pension cuts. The whole country was asking for it. Mr H. Holland submitted that oldage pensioners were in a better position to-day than they had been ten years ago. After further discussion, Mr Parry’s amendment was defeated by 38 votes to 25. Messrs H. M. Rushworth, Samuel, A. J. Stallworthy and E. T. Tirikatene joined the Labour members in voting for it. Messrs J. Connolly, D. McDouga.il, H. Atmore and C. A. Wilkinson paired in support of the amendment. RELIEF PAY-CRITICISED. MEMBER CALLED TO ORDER. Speaking on the formal motion to enable discussion of the Estimates, Mr D. G. Sullivan criticised the Unemployment Board’s policy, especially with respect to single men’s camps. Mr J. O’Brien strongly criticised the reduction of rates of relief pay and said that in Westland the reductions had in some eases amounted to as much as 53 per cent. “Unless these conditions are altered,” he said, “I am going to take steps that may compel me to leave this House, but I would rather be out of this House than remain in it and see rates of relief pay like these continuing to operate.” Continuing, Mr O’Brien said it was scandalous that men should be asked to accept starvation rates. Mr Speaker: You must not employ that term. Mr O’Brien: I am applying it to those who fix these rates of pay. I don’t care where they come from. Mr Speaker: Order! I must remind you that those words must not be applied to any member of this House. . Mr O’Brien: I just feel this way on the matter. Mr Speaker : Order 1 Mr R. Semple: Stick to your guns. Mr O’Brien: I wish to. make it perfectly clear that these are starvation rates. If a member of the House is responsible for them, I am not withdrawing my words Mr Speaker: Will you clear up the point as to whether you are referring to a member of the House?

Mr O’Brien: I am not referring to any member of the House in particular.

Mr Speaker: If you are applying those remarks to any member of the House you must withdraw them. Mr O’Brien: I don’t feel like withdrawing, sir. , Mr Speaker: I must ask you to withdraw. I know you are speaking with great personal feeling, but the rules of the House forbid that term to be applied to any member. Mr O’Brien: I don’t wish to disobey your ruling, sir. I don’t wish to attribute these conditions to any member of the House, but I am so angry— Mr Speaker: I think you had better withdraw any suggestion that you are referring to any member of the House. Mr O’Brien: I am not applying these words to any particular member. Mr Speaker: Or to any member? Mr O’Brien: Yes, I will say that. Mr H. T. Armstrong complained of the contract system which had been imposed on the unemployed, declaring it an attempt to get more work out of the men for the same money. Mr Semple charged the Government with haying failed to tackle the problem of unemployment and said that not one single Act had been passed this session to alleviate distress.

No progress was made with the Estimates to-day, the Labour members continuing to discuss unemployment until the time arrived for the adjournment of the House at midnight. " The Speaker explained that, under the standing orders, the House would go into Committee to deal with the Estimates to-morrow without the usual formal motion being submitted to the House. It would not be possible to resume the debate on the question. HIRE OF FILMS BILL. INQUIRY RECOMMENDED. MUCH EVIDENCE OFFERING. Reporting to the House on the Hire of Films Bill (Mr J. A. Lee), the Industries and Commerce Committee expressed the opinion that an exhaustive inquiry into the film industry in all its bearings should be undertaken at the earliest possible date. The committee pointed out that, in view of the amount of evidence offering and

the limited time at the committee’s disposal, it was impossible to undertake this inquiry during the present session. It, therefore, recommended that the inquiry should be made by the Government and that, pending such inquiry, the Films Bill should not be allowed to proceed this session. Mr A. D. McLeod, presenting the report, said the committee desired to explain that it had no wish to block the Bill, blit the expense that would he incurred in bringing to Wellington the large number of witnesses who desired to be heard would not be warranted in the face of the impossibility of the committee’s hearing evidence in the time at its disposal this session. Mr Lee thanked the committee for its recommendation, which, he said, was a sound one. Evidently the committee was alive as to the situation which existed and he trusted the Government would take the matter up seriously. He pointed out that films which could be witnessed in the United States for ten cents, and in London for fourpence, could only be exhibited in New Zealand if a minimum admission charge of one shilling was imposed, . notwithstanding the fact that the theatre proprietors themselves desired to fix a charge that was more in keeping with the existing economic conditions. He contended that an American corporation was holding the people of New Zealand to ransom. Mr P. Fraser said the inquiry should go further than a mere inquiry into the . hire of films and. domination by an overseas corporation. It was not right that wealthy combines in New Zealand should be allowed to go into a small town and tell the owner of a small theatre that, unless he handed over a percentage of his profits, they would go into competition with him and turn him out of business. Such practice savoured of “racketeering” and should not be tolerated. He agreed there was not time to take evidence this session, but it should be taken during the recess. Mr A. Harris, pointing, out that the committee had recommended an exhaustive inquiry into the film industry in all its bearings, said its decision had been a unanimous one. Messrs F. Langstone, C. Carr and A. J. Stalhvorthy also expressed appreciation of the committee’s recommendation. which was then adopted by the House. SUGAR FORJ3EE-KEEPERS. REQUEST FOR RELIEF FROM DUTY Mr C. A. Wilkinson asked the Minister ot Agriculture in the House of Representatives this afternoon whether he was aware that beekeepers were suffering severely owing to the duty of over £9 per ton imposed on sugar, which was largely used as a bee 100 U when there was a short supply of natural food. He asked that the beekeepers be given relief. “The effect of the sugar duty on the beekeeping industry was discussed fully last year with the Minister ot Customs,” said Hon. C. E. Macmillan, “but as a result the Government found itself unable to remit the duty, the practical impossibility of ensuring that duty free sugar was utilised only lor the feeding of bees having an important bearing upon this. “The whole question has lately received further attention, and, as the information is not available in New Zealand, the High Commissioner was communicated with some weeks ago and requested to ascertain, if possible, details of some method of denaturing sugar which would not detract from its fitness for bee-feeding purposes. If this information comes to hand shortly it may. prove of material value. In any case, the whole matter will be given consideration.” SUBSIDY ONFERTILISERS. CONTINUATION UNDER REVIEW. In the House this afternoon Mr C. A. Wilkinson asked the Minister. of Agriculture whether he would make a statement regarding the Government policy in respect to the fertiliser subsidy for next year, as the present arrangement expires next month. The Minister of Agriculture (Hon. C. E. Macmillan) said that the present arrangements expired at the end of December, and arrangements had already been made for a meeting with representatives of superphosphate manufacturers next week for the purpose of discussing the question of the subsidy for the remainder of the twelve months ending June 30. The policy decided upon by-the Government would be announced as soon after that meeting as circumstances permitted. MEMBERS "SALARIES. RUMOUR CONTRADICTED BY PREMIER. Mr A. D. McLeod asked the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. G. AV. Forbes) if, in view of the rumours that members were' seeking an increase in salary or a sessional bonus, he would state if he had been approached by any group of members during the present session on the subject. Mr Forbes said there was no foundation in fact for the statement that members were moving for a bonus or an addition in salary. He characterised the rumours as an attempt to promote discord. ' LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. VARIETY OF BILLS PROCEED. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 P The Local Authorities Interest Reduction and Loans Conversion Amendment Bill was read the second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Egmont National, Park Bill was read the second time and referred to the Lands Committee. The Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill, the Weights and Measures Amendment Bill and the Orchard Tax Amendment Bill were read the first New Plymouth Airport Bill was put through the remaining stages and Pa fhe Council rose at 3.5 p.m. until to-morrow.