Manawatu Daily Times High Notes and Low in Parliament

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6669, 24 July 1928, Page 8

Manawatu Daily Times High Notes and Low in Parliament

High notes and low notes were'sounded in Parliament last week when a good start was made with the real business of the session. 'lt was exceedingly refreshing to hear the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, declare that it was not his followers’ intention to .make the contentious Mental Defectives’ Amendment Bill a party (Juestion. It was recognition of the necessity for tackling a subject on which there are many diverse opinions and whatever may be the outcome of-the legislation that is passed, it will not be open to the suggestion that it was a hasty, ill-considered measure. The note struck by Mr. Holland and by the Minister of Health, Honorable J. A. Young, in his second reading speech, gave a lofty tone to the debate which has been maintained sp far, and has every appearance, of being maintained until the Bill is passed. . . ’

The readiness of the Prime Minister to allow the House to discuss the question of unemployment insurance was also appreciated by members on all sides of the chamber. Since the Bill introduced by the Labour member for Wellington Central, Mr. P. Fraser, involved appropriations of public funds for its working it contravened the standing orders of the House which lay down definitely that appropriation measures can be proceeded with only if they, are sponsored by the Crown. It was quite competent for the Government to insist on observance of this procedure, but as the subject is one which has come prominently before the public, espeecially during the past twelve months, and has its supporters as well as its critics among leaders of public thought, the Prime Minister thought it desirable that the House should have the opportunity of expressing its views.' 'To that end the breach of the standing orders was.waived. Agreement to the second reading of the Bill, however’, is not to be taken as acceptance by Parliament of the principle of unemployment insurance. It was a courtesy reading and nothing more will be heard of the Bill this year.

A jarring note was the almost fierce denunciation by Mr. Holland of- the coded wireless report received in New Zealand in March concerning the then state of affairs in Samoa. Mr. Holland worked himself into a fine frenzy of indignation against the late Administrator, the newspapers, and the Press Association over the message. It had no effect outside his own henchmen, and it drew pointed comment from the Postmaster-General, Honorable W. Nosworthy, who brought forward the report on the administration of the mandate, that from one in Mr. Holland’s position some inquiries as to the health and welfare of the natives, the progress of public works in the islands, and the state of trade would have been more becoming. .

At the Auckland Supremo Court yesterday, Albert Mitch was sentenced to 18 months’ hard labour on each of £ve charges of forgery, the sentences to be concurrent. James Eoss Morris, aged 23, who committed forgery by altering “£S” to "££80” on a Post Office Savings Bank withdrawal slip, was sentenced to 18 months' reformative detention. Mr. Justice M‘Gregor said that prisoner had the makings of a pretty cunning criminal. Ho was, however, a young man, and His Honor lipped that ho would reform if given the opportunity.

Ninety-eight farmers left Blenheim yesterday, participating in the Eailway Department’s excursion to Canterbury. They reached Ashburton last evening.

Herbert Daniel Crooksley, for imposing on the Wanganui Charitable Aid Board, was sentenced to seven days’ hard labour at Wanganui yesterday. After coming out of hospital he was working on the wharf and still continued to draw £3/3/6 per week in cash and orders from the board up to June. 30, representations being made that ho was unable to work.