PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19675, 29 June 1927, Page 13

PARLIAMENT.

[WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED LEGISLATION EXTENDED. I/ONCx debate in house. IMPREST SUPPLY BILL. lADDRESS-IN-R EPLY TO-DAY. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday: The House of Representatives resumed (fns afternoon, and, after the transaction of formal business, an opportunity was afforded for a discussion on unemployment. The Local Authorities Empowering {Belief of Unemployment) Extension Bill was brought forward by the Minister of Finance, Hon. YV. Downie Stewart. The bill was treated as a matter of urgency and was put through all its stages in a little over an hour.

The first Imprest Supply Bill was then introduced by Governor-General's Message. On the motion that the House should go into Committee of Supply the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, moved an amendment condemning the Government's attitude with regard to unemployment, and especially the payment of relief rates of wages. The Prime Minister, Mr. CoateSj and the Minister of Labour, Hon. G. J. Anderson, traversed the efforts of the Government to meet the difficulties, and detailed the .extent of the assistance given by the Government and local bodies to provide employment. The amendment was rejected, and the Kouse then proceeded to discuss the administration of Samoa. The debate was in progress at a late hour. In the Legislative Council the debate ©» the Address-in-Reply was opened by Sir James Allen and supported by the Hon. E. Mitehelson. After a sitting occupying less than two hours the debate was adjourned until to-morrow. In the House of Representatives this •vening the debate on the Address-in-Reply will be opened by Mr. J. Mason (Napier).

PROBLEMS OF EMPIRE. NAVAL DEFENCE QUESTION. {VALUE OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS. [»Y TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION".] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. Imperial problems were touched on by Sir James Allen in opening the Address-in-Reply debate in the Legislative Council this afternoon. Sir James referred to the increasing responsibilities of New Zealand and the complete freedom now enjoyed by the Dominions ao a result of the Imperial Conference. Referring to defence, he paid Canada was resting confident in protection from America, but he hoped she. would see the necessity for taking ri proper share in Empire defence. Great Britain's naval strength had been reduced and it was hoped the United States would come to see the difference in national responsibilities and that the British Empire's communications must be safeguarded. Singapore was essential to New Zealand's protection. He dealt at length with the paramount importance in the world to-day of the League of Nations, which was bringing peoples together and enabling them to understand one another. Referring to Britain's refusal to accept compulsory international arbitration, he said the ■world had yet to be educated to a state of moral conscience which would be better than policing methods. The League stood for goodwill between nations, which must bring about peace. He also pointed out that similar good work was being done by the Institute of Pacific Relations. tJie Rotary movement and the Students' Christian movement. There could bp no better channel of contact between the Dominions arid Homeland than through the High Commissioners, who should he accredited to the British Government, and who should act as a link with the British Prime Minister and adviser to him on Dominion matters.

THE ARBITRATION ACT. AMENDMENTS PROPOSED. BILL NOT YET READY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday Reference to the desire of sections of the farming community that the Arbitration Act should be amended, particularly in the direction of abolishing preference to unionists, was made in the House to-day by Mr. J, G. Elliott {Oroua). The Minister of Labour, Hon. G. J. Anderson, :;aid a bill was under consideration dealing with proposed amendments to the Act, but it was not yet ready. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland: How far have you got ? The Minister did not reply. SPENDING LOAN MONEY. WHAKATANE COUNTY FUNDS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. An empowering bill to give effect to the wishes of the ratepayers of the Whakatane County that money authorised to be raised for road tar-sealing should he spent on other works in the county was introduced into the House to-day by Mr. F. F. Hockly (Rotorua) and read a first time. Some years ago a comprehensive loan poll was carried in the county, and t has since been found that it is unnecessary or unwise to spend the amounts provided for tar-sealmg certain of the roads. Recently the ratepayers by a substantial majority endorsed the proposals contained in the bill. LATE FOR WORK. LABOUR TRAPS A MEMBER. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. A neat trap for Mr. W D. Lysnar, the member for Gisborne, was set by the Opposition in a debate on unemployment in the House to-night. Mr. Lysnar was declaiming on the iniquities of Labour, directing special attention to the men who loafed on the job, when the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H E. Holland, asked: "'What would you do to a man who turned up to work thrpe ciays late?" Mr. Lysnar: I would send him home •gain. ir. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) : When did you turn up to do your work this session ? Mr. Lvsnar: To-day. (Loud laughter.) j I came in time to do my work. I did 'j not want to loaf around the lobbies for j three days. (Renewed laughter.) I