PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19714, 13 August 1927, Page 13

PARLIAMENT.

DEBATE ON BUDGET. DULL DAY IN HOUSE. MEMBERS STILL TALKING. THE SINGAPORE BASE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER. ] WELLINGTON, Friday. Chief interest in the Budget debate in the House of Representatives to-day centred round the speech of Mr. I'. M. Wilford (Hutt), who devoted the whole of his time to a defence of tiio Singapore base project. It is one of his favourite topics. The other speeches to-day and this evening were of the usual nature in a finance debate. Members showed an inclination to air their views, but no really fre.sh ground was broken. It was another dull day. The debate was adjourned and the House rose at 11.45 p.m. VALUE OF PIECEWORK. LABOUR AS EXAMPLE. WAY WORKED TO PARLIAMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER. J WELLINGTON. Friday The Labour members in the House ot Representatives were held up by Mr. D. Jones (Ellesmere) this evemug as a testimonial to the value of piecework. 'T suggest that they owe their posi tions here to piecework," he said. "They started off in the ranks and then took up union secretaryships, working overtime at night while they kept the other fellows on a 44-hour week. They kept on working hard and they have worked their way to Parliament." Continuing. Mr. Jones said it was neces sary to have well-paid workers to get a satisfied people and a satisfied people was necessary to keep good government. It might be too much to expect the Labour Party to assist him in keeping good government Mr. W. J. Jordan (Manukau) : Assist yon ! Mr. R. McKeen (Wellington South): Have you just awakened ? A , LINK TN THE CHAIN. SECONDARY INDUSTRIES. THE TREND OF DEVELOPMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday. "The man on the land is one link in the chain, but all the links have to be joined up to make the chain hold and no country can become great if it depends on the primary industries alone," said Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) in the House this evening when calling for further interest in the Dominion's secondary industries.

Mr. Harris said he was not one of those •who deplored the drift from country to town and city. This was in accord with modern progres>. Seven per cent, of the people of a country to-day were all that were required to produce what it to>»tv 70 per c-enf. to produce 100 years apo. He predicted that New Zealand would follow the trend of development that was going on in every country and that our secondarv industries would play an increasinglv important part in the development of the Dominion He believed it was of the utmost importance to extend our markets.

Tt i was all very well looking to the Mother Country as otir chief market. but there were other countries in which pos cihle new markets should he sought. Hp had nlwavs heard it pair] that it was not possible to send chillerl beef from New Zealand to Britain, but he had been shown a side of beef hanging in an Auck land freezing works that had been kept chilled for six months and was in perfect condition. Large fleets of steamers were employed in the carriage of chilled beef from ihe Argentine to foreign ports and he could see no reason why such a trade could not be developed by the Dominion. "Tn many cases the taxpayer is being unduly penalised to heln Britain through the preferential tariff." Mr. Harris added. "Many things can be purchased much cheaper from foreign countries and T cannot see why the people of New Zealand should have to pay heavily for preference to Britain. Continental countries cannot be. expected in huy New Zealand products when we impose an extra duty on their goods." RAILWAYS AND RADIO. MR. LEE AND GOVERNMENT. QUESTION OF LOAN RAISED. [BY TELEGRAPH. SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday "The Prime Minister is brightening up. It is quite unusual for him to interject so that one takes his remarks with good grace/' said Mr. J. A. Lee (Aucklana East) in the House this evening, when he was keeping the members amused with some cross-talk with the Government. Mr. Lee questioned the right of anyone to condemn farmers for buying radio sets and gramophones on time-payment while the Government lent £15,000 to the Broadcasting Company 011 a second mortgage. "Did vou say we lent £15,000 on a second mortgage '/" asked the PostmasterGeneral, Hon. W. Nosworthy. Mr. Lee: Yes. Mr. Nosworthy: Well, don t, say it, because it is absolutely incorrect. Mr. Lee: I don't care if the money was lent on a first mortgage. It was absolutely wrong. Mr. Nosworthy: Oh, go on. Anything to heat the Government. The Speaker: Order. The Prime Minister: Do you suggest the last word has been said about wireless ? Mr. Lee: Of course not, and the last word has not vet been said about our railways, either. The* Prime Minister (laughing) : The only thing about the railways that is not perfect is that it gives the honourable member for Auckland East a free pass. Mr. Lee: And I think I earn my fare with a lot more hard work than does the Prime Mimsier. (Laughter.) Mr Nosworthy: That is a matter of opinion. Mr. Lee: 1 have not got a squad of secretaries to supply me with material. I have to quarry mine out. (Laughter.) Mr. D. Jones (ElleSmere) : It is very evident you are not accustomed to quarrying. PETITION FROM TEACHERS. SUPERANNUATION BENEFITS. [I?Y TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday. •Twenty-one school teachers who did not elect to come under the provisions of the Teachers' Superannuation Act within six months of appointment petitioned Parliament to-dav asking that a further option be granted whereby they may elect to count all back service on payment of all dues and penalties.