PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20306, 13 July 1929, Page 13

PARLIAMENT.

WORK OF THE HOUSE.

debate not finished.

SHORT SITTING HELD.

riiOMNGING DISCUSSION.

fjiY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday.

Hopes of ending the Address-in-Rcply dt-bato this week were shattered to day when the House of Representatives derided to adjourn at 5.30 p.m. until Tuesday afternoon, but it is expected the ~n c l will bo reached on Tuesday or Wednesday.

So far 3" speakers liavo taken part in the discussion and just half of those were drawn from tho Government ranks, landing colour to tho lobby suggestions that the Government is purposely drawing out the cjebate until there is some tangible legislation to introduce. Supporting evidence of such tactics was given last Wednesday, when four or fivo Government, speakers started an aimless discussion on various matters arising out of tho presentation of papers. Then, again, the stony silence that has met two pleas'by tho Labour Party to end a pointless debate further strengthens tho charge of time wasting. Labour has resolutely held aloof from tlio debate, except for the intrusion of Mr. H. E. Holland and Mr. M. J. Savago for brief periods, asking that the end might be hastened.

Tlio debate was unusually uninspiring to-day. The principal speaker was the Minister of- Railways, the Hon. W. B. Tavernor, who dealt, fully with matters connected with his three principal portfolios, railways, customs and forestry. Tlio other speakers were Mr. H. G. Dickio (Patea) and Mr. It. W. Havko (Kaiapoi). All three wers given quiet hearings, almost entirely freo from intcrjecti°n. • . . Tlio following bills were read a tirst time:— Gaming Amendment Bill (Sir George Hunter), Defence Amendment Bill (Mr. H. G. It. Mason), Local Authorities Empowering (Aviation Encouragement) Bill (Hon. 1. M. Wilfoid) and Scaffolding and Excavation Amendment Bill (Hon. W. A. Veitch).

FMJIT CASES FROM CANADA.

PLEA FOR LOCAL INDUSTRY.

MINISTER PROMISES INQUIRY

[by telegraph.— special reporter.] WELLINGTON. Friday.

The importation of fruit cases from Canada was the subject of a question by Mr. G. C. Black (Molueka) in tiie House

to-day. Mr. Black asked the Commissioner of State Forests whether he would immediately set up, in the interests of the two industries, a committee representative of the fruitgrowers, sawrnilleis and timberworkers, to consider if there were insuperable difficulties in the way of tho production of New Zealand fruit cases instead of importing Canadian cases. "Just how the State Forest Service can assist is a little doubtful at the moment," replied tho Commissioner, the Hon. W. B. Taverner. He would consult the Minister of Industries and Commerce to seo what action could be taken. Ho realised that something should be done. Last year he understood about 700,000 cases were imported. It was only right that an attempt should be made to keep that trade in New Zealand if it was at all possible. He promised to go carefully into the question, and if it wis found necessary that, a committee should bo set up he would recommend the Cabinet, accordingly.

DEBATE IN HOUSE

SOUTH ISLAND RAILWAY.

PROMISE OF SEVENTY MILLIONS,

[BY TELKGIIAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Friday. The debate on the Addrcss-in-Reply was' continued in tho House to-day.

Mr. H. G. Dickie (Patea) deplored tho fact that so many Government members thought it necessary to attack thoLeader of the Opposition, Mr. Coates, and support the South Island Main Trunk railway. Anyone who stated the United Party came into oifico on its railway policy was indulging in extravagant talk. Not one-tenth of the people of tho Dominion were interested in the line, and the majority would be delighted if it wers abandoned. The real reason for the Government's success at tho polls was it.3 proposal to borrow £70,000,000, and tho fact that Sir Joseph Ward led tho party.

Mr. Dickio blamed economic conditions throughout the world for unemployment. Tho Minister of Education had stated lie intended to give education an agricultural bias. He would find that very difficult. Mr. Dickio considered the best way to train young men for tho land was to apprentice them to practical farmers. Tho less time they spent at Flock House tho better. Mr. K. W. Hawko (Kaiapoi) claimed thai, it was the Government's land policy and not the promise of a £70,000,000 loan that had been responsible for the success of the United Party. The debate was adjourned until Tuesday afternoon.

A PLEASANT NOTE.

party attacks condemned. tactics only for elections. [nv TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Friday , A new and pleasant note was struck by the Hon. \V. 13. Taverner, Minister of Railways, speaking m tho llouso this after, noon. Members of the United Party, particularly those now to Parliament, have devoted most of their speeches to criticism of the Reform Party's administration, but Mr. T averner refrained from doing this "1 do not propose lo criticise tho actions of tho lato Government," lie said. " I believe that line of talk might reasonably end with tho election. Wo ought now io try* to find some common ground and' P''°ceed with the business of the country. " hen another election comes tbon we can *greo to diffor afluin."