PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 13

PARLIAMENT

VARIOUS TOPICS

PRIVATE MEMBERS' DAY

TWO LIVELY INTERLUDES

NEW measures appear

BUDGET NEXT WEEK

[BT TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Friday After having spent the best part of a fortnight in discussing little else betide banking and finance, members of Parliament turned their attention with some avidity to the consideration to-day of a variety of very different questions. To do them justice, they did not show much sign that most of them were occupied until 3 o'clock this morning, following on two other late sittings, in passing the third reading of the Reserve Bank Bill. To-day was private members' day and discussions of unusual zest and warmth broke out both in the morning and afternoon. Mr. H. G. R. Mason's request for leave to introduce his Waikato Water Supply Company Empowering Bill drew from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, and other members of the party, immediate expressions of determined hostility fo the whole principle of tho measure. Grounds lor Attack It was attacked on the ground that it proposed to Hand over an essential public service to a private profit-mak-ing concern and Mr. Savage did not conceal his eagerness to get an early opportunity of "taking the gloves off" to deal with the proposal. The prospects of the measure at the moment Beem far from rosy.

A spirited attack on the Government was occasioned in tho afternoon when Mr. R. McKeen (Labour —Wellington South), brought up his Summer Time Amendment Bill for an amendment m Committee. The Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, was absent, and the Hon. J. A. Young's announcement on his behalf that the Government was not prepared to support Mr. McKeen, but intended to bring in a similar measure of its own later on, roused much bitter criticism.

. A practical agreement had been reached on the second reading that the extension of the extra half-hour for a month would be acceptable to all parties in the House and it was generally understood that Mr. McEleen would be allowed to proceed without opposition. Prime Minister Criticised

The Prime Minister's attitude gave occasion for charges of breach of faith, discourtesy, ignoring of private members' rights, lack of leadership, the mean taking of credit belonging to another, and various other political crimes.' Probably making virtue of necessity, Mr. McKeen agreed to hold his bill in abeyance until the alternative Government proposal is disclosed to the House.

Seven private members' bills were introduced and read a first time. Mr. W. E. Barnard's Family Allowances Amendment Bill, which allows a mother as well as a father to make application for a family allowance, was supported by several Labour members, who spoke of the unfair position of numbers of deserted wives and mothers who were unable to apply for the benefits of a family allowance. Mr. E. T. Tirikatene (Labour —Southern Maori) in supporting his Electoral Amendment Bill made a strong plea that hi 3 people should be placed on an equal footing with the pakeha in regard to the method of voting, but Sir Apirama Ngata expressed the opinion that the alteration proposed in the bill would only make worse the difficulties complained of. Companies Bill Next Week The first private member's bill of the session to negotiate all stages was passed in/the afternoon, when Mr. F. Langstone's Licensing Amendment Bill was accorded the third reading. The bill provides that newspapers in nolicence districts and proclaimed areas may publish liquor advertisements. As many as seven new Government bills were introduced by GovernorGeneral's Message and read a first time during the afternoon. These included several minor agricultural measures, the Municipal Corporations Bill, the Harbours Amendment Bill and the Coinage Bill- . Mr. P. Fraser's Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill was withdrawn in view of Mr. Young's explanation that the Government was at present negotiating with the British Government with a view to securing uniformity in this matter. Mr. Coates announced that the Companies Bill would be taken when the House resumed on Tuesdav. It is not expected now that the Budget _ will appear before Thursday at the earliest. FAMILY ALLOWANCES

APPLICATION BY MOTHERS BILL SEEKS AUTHORITY [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] "WELLINGTON, Friday The Family Allowances Amendment Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day by Mr. W. F. Barnard (Labour —Napier). Under the present legislation, said Mr. Barnard, the father alone was permitted to apply for an allowance, although it was generally payable to the mother. The bill provided that either the father or mother might make application for an allowance. He urged the Government to take up this matter find remedy what he considered a serious injustice. Mrs. E. R. McCombs (Labour —Lyttelton) said the bill proposed merely to do justice to a number of children to the community.

Mr. F. W. Schramm' (Labour — Auckland East) urged that provision should be made for a magistrate to order that tho allowance bo paid in such a way that it would be certain the children would benefit. The magistrate would be able to determine whether it should bo paid to the mother, father or agent. . The bill was read a first time.