Address-In-Reply Debate Ends Suddenly

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1944, Page 4

Address-In-Reply Debate Ends Suddenly

(P-A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Address-in-Reply debate came to a sudden conclusion in the House of Represen cauves early yesterday afternoon. Tlie first speaker was Miss M. Howard (Govt.Chch. East) and when she resumed her seat no Opposition speaker made a move to follow and Mr P. G. Connolly (Govt.Dunedin West) replied briefly. Miss Howard said that a machine invented in America made it possible for dehydrated skimmed milk witn butter to be reconverted into fresh milk and she considered that New Zealand farmers could create a new export and send milk to all parts of the world, instead of throwing skimmed milk away. Legislation cn domestic aid, forecast in the speech from the throne, would be welcomed by thousands of mothers in New Zealand. She suggested that the scheme could provide openings for many women coming out of tne services. The scheme might call for a Government subsidy but that should not prevent the Government from putting it into operation.

Housing Department Overhaul?

Families were needed in New Zealand and they were bound up with domestic help and homes for the people, and. where provision of homes was concerned, it appeared to her that there was something wrong with the State Advances Department. She quoted the case of a vvomgn living in an eight-roomed house who offered to vacate it in favour of a large family if she could get a small State house. The department refused because there was a long waiting list ahead of her. What was wanted, Miss Howard said, was an officer who could reorganise the department so that homes could be distributed to the best advantage. Another way in which the department was not doing its job, was in providing homes for returned soldiers. She knew of a case where a woman, living alone because her husband was in the army, was given a house, while a returned man with a wife and family was left to live in a small room built into a verandah.

Mr Connolly, replying to the debate, hoped that the House would now be able to go lull speed ahead with giving the people of the Dominion the legislation they were looking for. Few points had been raised in the debate, despite the wide variety of subjects discussed, and those few points had been most effectively answered by speakers on the Government side. The motion was then carried. Session’s Programme The Prime Minister (Hon. P. Fraser) moved an adjournment until 7.30. The Leader of the Opposition (Hon. S. G. Holland) asked for some indication of the business of the House. After ffhree weeks—quite a reasonable time—spent on debate, were members to sit from 2.30 to 3.30 and then adjourn? The Government appeared to have no policy and no legislation. Members of the Opposition had come to do the country’s business. It was the Government’s business to provide that business. Mr Holland asked tor some indication of the length of the session. Mr Fraser said he was so delighted by saving the country’s time, resulting from the Opposition refraining from putting up further speakers for the debate, that he proposed to take a little time as he was entitled to do, to consider the further business of the House. Mr Fraser said a Bill would be introduced that night which, he felt sure, would enjoy the support of all sections of the community and of the House, which should be able to pass it in one sitting. It would be a Bill providing paid holidays for all workers. The House adjourned at 3.30. I