WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20669, 15 September 1930, Page 3

WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT BILL. MINISTER OF HEALTH UNDER FIRE [I)Y TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORHESPOKDENT-] WELLINGTON. Saturday. The week's work began—after a fusillade of urgent questions—with the Unemployment Bill, of which eight clauses, including that relating to the question of sustenance, had to be considered. Mr. Sullivan made quite a fierce attack on Mr. Downie Stewart, complaining bitterly that he had contributed no suggestion, and sat grinning and laughing, a phrase for which .he was instantly called to order by tho Speaker. So strong was Mr. Sullivan's resentment that three times he was called to order. It was all the more surprising, as Mr. Sullivan is, as a rule, good-humoured, and Mr. Downie Stewart too great a favourite to warrant such attacks. 1 may have been deaf, but I never heard Mr. Sullivan make any suggestions himself. Labour Party's Blunder. This incident occurred during a debate on a report by the Unemployment Committee. The bill itself came on in the_ evening, and though interest is keen, the attendance in the galleries was sparse—for the weather was stormy and made one feel how hard was the lot of a man out of work. There was much talk over a Labour amendment proposing that standard wages should be paid to all working under the scheme. Labour men were very strong on this, despite the statements by Reform—the United men are still inarticulate —of the unfairness of the proposal. An appeal to the Speaker's ruling was made by Mr. Fraser, who gained his object, and a division on the amendment defeated it by a large majority, the Independents voting against Labour, believing, as all sensible people do, that half a loaf is better than none.

There was a tense interlude just as the Unemployment Bill reached its last stago. Mr. Holland moved that it be re-com-mitted to consider the graduated tax instead of the flat levy. Labour is generally so astute that it was surprising it did not realise that if Reform voted with it it stood a chance of losing the bill. It was quite on the cards that if the motion succeeded the Minister might hava dropped it. However, the Reform Party being divided in its opinions, the motion was lost, and at long last the bill is law. Much depends on the personnel of the proposed board, and it has an onerous task before it. Private Members' Bills. Mr. Jordan is endeavouring to prevent the use of white lead in paint. It is poisonous, and in thermal districts cannot be used. He made a very interesting speech, evidently knowing his subject thoroughly. He reminded the House that members had seen at Petone men working with cloths over their mouths. He also told us that medical testimony Btates that children of white lead workers' are affected. Mr. Munns was most sympathetic and commended Mr. Jordan for his bill. By the way Mr. Mason, as regards bills, is most prolific. Ho had no fewer than nine bills on the Order Paper.

There was considerbale debate on the question of £SOO to be paid to the retiring Director-General of Health as advisory officer to the department after his retirement. There was much admiration expressed for Dr. Valintine's past services, but the criticism came from Reform as well as Labour. The Minister of Health was asked whether this grant was fair when the subsidy to the Mothers' Help union and withheld on the score of economy. The claims of worn-out nurses, who, like Dr. Yalintine, had not a claim for superannuation were pressed by Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Semple. There was a general complaint as to the attitude of the Minister—his want of frankness and disinclination to giye _ information. But the position of a Minister in charge of Estimates that are attacked is not a happy one, and it was no wonder Mr. Stallworthy looked pained. As Mr. Ansell remarked, there were veiled threats from Labour of keeping the discussion going if the Minister did not give satisfactory answers. Some members appeared to regard the Minister as "a man who had such a repugnance to plain facts that ho could only eat fruit when it was crystallised."

Mr. O'Brien talked of keeping the Minister there for a week, but as it was Friday and the House adjourns automatically at 5.30 p.m., when members are on tip-toe for a week-end at their homes, there was little likelihood that his dire threat would be carried out. The entreaties of Mr. O'Brien were silenced when Mr. Stallworthy gave his assurance that similar cases to that of the retiring Director-General would receive similar generous consideration. Etiquette of Parliament.

The proceedings of the House are generally conducted with dignity and decorum, and any little departure from this is always exciting. The other afternoon, when the Speaker made his stately entrance, a row of women, evidently strangers, rose with the members when the prayer was being said, and sat down somewhat hurriedly when they found they were out of order. There was much mirth when an absent-minded chairman called'. "Come in" instead of "Order," and a little excitement when two men from the public gallery wanted to pursue a very loud and heated argument outside the door.

The littlo ceremonies are delightful—tho dignified procession of Speaker and Clerk through tho corridors to tho Chamber, the rising of members when a message from His Excellency is brought down, and tho placing of the mace on the table by the Sergeant-at-Arms, himself a picturesque asset to Parliament. Our House compares very " favourably with Congress in There, instead of uniformed messengers, are little lads in> white blouses and dark knickers. Tho Speaker, if so the man on the raised seat was called—quite a simple seat compared to our handsome throne —kept order with a mallet, and the orator for the time being had to come 'to the front and speak his piece, the reporters, notebooks in hand, standing either sido of him. In tho gallery where we wore sitting a charmingly-dressed woman produced a largo manicure set and set to work on her nails. There is a tradition that years ago, a weary and hungry Speaker, at an all-night sitting, had ham and eggs brought to him in tho House. One reajjs. that in the Belgian Parliament eaciF member was supplied with a glass of brandy and water, which was renewed when empty, but that was in the good old days gone by. Our legislators have to depend on the feast of reason and tho flow of soul, and, at times, it is very sorry fare.