URGENCY FOR MEASURES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 291, 6 November 1934, Page 2

URGENCY FOR MEASURES.

APPROPRIATION AND FINANCE

BILLS

MANY PROTESTS OVER HASTE.

Rt. Hon.'J. G. Coates moved for urgency for passing, of the Appropriation Bill and also the Finance Bill (No. 3), but this was challenged, Mr Savage claiming that such an action was an outrage. Members had not had a chance to see the Bill and did not know it was coming down. On a division being taken, urgency was accorded the passing of the measures by 33 votes to 19. Mr Coates moved the second readin gof the Appropriation Bill. Mr J. A. Lee protested against the House being asked to consider _ rush legislation. There was a crisis in the dairy industry, he said, and with the passage of the Appropriation Bill the House could adjourn and wish the industry “A Merry Christmas.” He had been asked by the Auckland Returned .Soldiers’ Association whether the Prime Minister would intercede with the National War Funds Council to persuade them to set aside a large amount of money to assist in the relief of distress among returned soldiers in December.

Mr W. A. Veitch said that trade conditions were still in an unstable condition and there had been no great changes which would increase trade in New Zealand, between New Zealand and the Mother Country, or between New Zealand and other countries. He was at a loss to understand the Government’s action. Mr A. S. Richards criticised the Government strongly for asking for urgency for two measures, and he protested against the way the Government was conducting the business of the nation.

Mr F. Langstone also wondered at the haste and asked when the next boat was sailing for Australia. He also wondered if party differences over the selection of the new Minister were the cause of the early adjournment. Mr A. Harris said tho House should not rise until the Cinematograph Bill had been passed. He thought it would be a derelection of public duty on the part of the Government if it did so. Every theatre proprietor in New Zealand had suffered under a grave disability for many years and that Bill proved it. Mr Savage endorsed the statements made by Mr Harris. There was no reason on the score of time for the Government throwing that Bill overboard. However, if the Bill were passed by, it would be the responsibility of the Government and not of the House. The Bill could be passed in ten minutes.

Mr C. A. Wilkinson supported Mr Harris and said that as. a busy man be protested against being called to Wellington to sit on a committee if its recommendations were not to be heeded. Tlie Minister could at least say if the Bill was to be put through. ASSISTANCE EOR DAIRYMEN. Mr J. O’Brien urged that assistance should be given to the dairy farmer. He said the margin between New Zealand and Danish butter at the present time was 60s a cwt. . A few years ago it was only eight or nine shillings. Mr A. D. McLeod : It will be again in three months.

Mr O’Brien said he hoped that was correct. He added that the introduction of the Appropriation Bill was a quick way of getting rid of the Native Commission’s report, which was a damning document. Mr R. Semple said Parliament had been sitting lor four months and he asked the Minister to indicate the measures that had been passed that would help the many thousands of people who were looking for help. He joined in the protest against the Cinematograph Bill being dropped. He asked the Minister to give some definite information as to how the money voted for public works was to be spent. Mr W. J. Jordan supported Mr Lee in asking that more should be done for returned soldiers, many of whom were unable to secure pensions. Mr F. Jones referred to the downgrading of schools, which, he said, was causing much dissatisfaction among teachers. The returns from eight of the nine Education Boards showed that 179 schools were to be downgraded and 54 teachers were to be dismissed. Eighty-one teachers were occupying over-grade positions and 21 over-grade teachers from last year had been unable to secure positions. He considered the Government should make a statement on what it intended to do.

Mr A. J. Stallworthy also referred to the down-grading of schools. He could not believe the Government intended to drop the Cinematograph Bill and did not think at tho present stage that there was anything sinister behind the low position it occupied on the order paper. He also drew attention to the fact that a number of motions for returns had not been answered.

After Mr Coates had replied, the second reading was calried. The Bill was put through Committee without amendment.

Further consideration was given the Finance Bill (No. 3). In Committee Mr Coates said no power was given to make the rebate apply to power board, hospital board and similar rates. Both Bills were read the third time and passed. The House rose at 2 a.m.