BRIEF SITTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21295, 23 September 1932, Page 11

BRIEF SITTING

VOLLEY OF QUESTIONING LABOUR LEADER'S NOTICE MOTION OF NO,CONFIDENCE [BY TELEGRAPH— SPECIAL REPORT KTI ] WELLINGTON. Thursday A brisk half-hour of questioning marked the first sitting of the House of Representatives to-day, and although proceedings were mostly in lighter vein, there were not -wanting signs that the old game of manoeuvring for party advantage had been initiated at the first opportunity. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, fired the first shot in the campaign on the previous day, when he intimated that the Labour Party was determined to resist to the last ditch the proposal to extend the life of Parliament from* three years to four. The Labour Party's policy, briefly expressed, is antiGovernment in every particular, so gauntlets of a similar kind will no doubt he thrown down at every available opportunity. Mr. Lee Seeks Information v Mr. J. A. Lee (Grey Lynn) one of the party's most persistent propagandists, gave notice of a characteristic question which sought a statement as to the amounts paid to members of Parliament during the recess for work performed on behalf of the Government. Smiles appeared on the faces of Government members when Mr. Holland intimated his intention to move a no-cou-fidenc-3 amendment to the Address-in-Reply, five grounds being cited in support of his foredoomed motion. The notices of questions covered a wide field, including in their scope suggestions that free railway passes should be given to fire brigadesmen attending conferences, that there should bo a remission of county rates, and that persons entering Communistic countries should not run the risk of re-entry into New Zealand being refused. Among the crpp of petitions was one from Mr. J. R. Corrigan, ex-member for Patea, seeking a Parliamentary inquiry into his plan of monetary reform. Members with private bills are always anxious to notify their intention to sponsor legislation, because such action as least ensures a high place on the Order Paper for consideration of the measures. Mr. McOombs' Bill Mr. J. McCombs (Labour —Lyttelton) raised a laugh when ho intimated his intention to introduce the Akaroa Cocksfoot Seed Bill, and there were loud calls for the information to be repeated. Mr. E. T. Tirikatene, new member for Southern Maori, was not sworn in today. A commission had been made out for the Speaker, Sir Charles Statham, but owing to the latter's absence because of his mother's death, insufficient time was available for a new commission to be made out for execution by the deputySpeaker, Mr. S. G\ Smith. It is expected that Mr. Tirikatene will be sworn in tomorrow. / Both Houses will hold short sittings tomorrow to pay tribute to memories of deceased members, and will then adjourn for the week-end. The House of Representatives will reassemble on Tuesday afternoon and the Address-in-Reply debate will be begun in the evening. The similar debate in the Legislative Council will commence on Wednesday. FREEZING WORKERS RELIEF IN OFF-PERIOD HELP' IN NECESSITOUS CASES [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Thursday Arrangements are being made by, the Unemployment Board to give relief to freezing workers-in necessity through their seasonal occupation ending, according to a statement made in the House to-day by the acting-Minister of Employment, the Hon. A. Hamilton. F. Jones (Labour —Dunedin South) asked whether the Minister would remove the restrictions hampering the relief employment of seasonal workers, the majority of whom, he said, were destitute. They could not obtain relief from hospital boards, and the Unemployment Board denied them the right to work. It was true that freezing workers earned good wages in the season, but in the off-period they had to pay their debts and replenish their clothing, so that they had no chance of saving gmything. The Minister said the board's current instructions enabled certifying officers to exercise their judgment, thus making it possible for them to give relief to seasonal workers in necessitous circumstances.