PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 13

PARLIAMENT.

ESTIMATES DEBATE. ATTACK ON MINISTER. MR. NOSWORTHY ASSAILED. LABOUR PARTY'S CRITICISM [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Friday. The. first item on the Estimates, £/9.990 for the Legislative Department, was discussed in the House of Representatives throughout this afternoon and this evening.. The item was passed at 10.10 p.m.,.when the House rose until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. The debate wfs remarkable for the sustained attacks which the Labour Party maintained against the Hon. W. Nosworihy. Member after member assailed the Minister with regard to the loan of £15.000 to the Broadcasting Company, and later concerning extra emoluments which are to be paid to the librarian of the General Assembly Library. At first the Minister was disposed to treat the matters lightly, but the flood of allegations which was poured on his administration proved too much, and there were many sharp exchanges. Government bills introduced and read a first tirtie were the Counties Amendment Bill and the Kauri Gum Industry Amendment Bill. Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) brought forward his Minimum Wage Bill, which was read a first time. The Local Bills Committee reported the Whangare: Harbour Board Vesting and Empowering Bill with a recommendation that it should be allowed to proceed. CARE OF PRISONERS. CELLS AT AUCKLAND COURT. PLEA FOR BETTER CONDITIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Friday. The cells of the Auckland Supreme Court were made the subject of a complaint in the House this afternoon by Mr. W. J. Jordan (Manukau). Mr. Jordan said' there were three cells in the basement of the Court. Each was about Bft. by 12ft-., and on the whitewashed walls were all sorts of scurrilous inscriptions. The only light, was from a double-paned window slit- about 9in. across and very little fresh air could get in. There was no fireplace or other means of warming the cells. •' The persons who are put in these places are not convicted criminals, but persons who are awaiting trail," said Mr. Jordan., "It is inflicting a physical and mental hardship to pack men away in these underground cells when their guilt ; has not been proved. Accommodation should also be provided in which counsel may consult**prisoners who are awaiting trial or sentence." Mr. Jordan contended the day would come when persons accused of criminal offences would first be taken before a mental specialist. It had been said by an expert that if the mental cases could be properly dealt with one half of the Dominion's prison population would disappear. In the Auckland Court the other day the magistrate, in dealing with the case of a sub-normal man, had expressed regret that there was no place other than prison to send the man, and a poor wretch who was mentally afflicted had been sentenced to six months' imprisonment. . There should be special places for such a case. Mr. Jordan asked the Minister of Justice to give favourable consideration to & request which had been made that special accommodation should be provided for-'persons awaiting trial. At present they were kept in what wa3 virtually a prison. Certainly they enjoyed some privileges in that they were not required to work. They were permitted a little exercise and they had plenty of time to ! think over the troubles which were upon them. Mr. Jordan said he appreciated the fact that an improvement had been effected in the treatment of young people through the Borstal system, but young people still found themselves inside prison walls, although they were separated from hardened criminals. A short while ago a lad ef 17 wa3 sentenced in Auckland to 12 months' imprisonment with hard labour. That was a most serious thing. Charfcs Peace, the notorious criminal, said he had developed into a criminal and murderer through his association with criminals in prison at an early age. THE WOOLLEN INDUSTRY. MORE PROTECTION URGED. THIRTY PETITIONS TO HOUSE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday. Prohibition of the importation of lowpriced "shoddy" material and clothing end the imposition of a slight increase in the duty on the better-class materials Such as worsteds, are advocated in 30 petitions presented to Parliament to-day on "behalf.of over 1400 persons throughout New Zealand, who state they are engaged directly or indirectly in the woollen or clothing industry. The petitioners state that for the year ended March 31, 1925, there was a decrease in production in the woollen industry of £157,000. A total of £2.997,041 worth of clothing was imported into the Dominion, including ±,373.125 worth fiotn protected countries. It appeared unreasonable that New Zealanders should be unemployed while goods they could make find which could be sold at reasonable prices were imported* from countries "where wages and working conditions compared Unfavourably with those in the Do- * During the year mentioned and the vear ended March 31, 1926, nearly all the New Zealand woollen mills were working' short time, and in most cases loss. That state of affairs, it was held, was largely caused by the importation at a low price of "shoddy" material and clothing. The petitioners claim that if their suggestions are accepted the whole outlook of the woollen mills and clothing factories from the business point of view would be changed, the workers would receive constant employment and more laV>our would be required to suppl> the demand. The extra duties would not increase the price to the consumer. There were several mills and factories in an unsound financial position at present and they might shortly have to close if relief were not granted.