EXTRA YEAR OF LIFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21844, 5 July 1934, Page 13

EXTRA YEAR OF LIFE

GOVERNMENT DEFENDED AN ECONOMY MEASURE AVOIDING ELECTION EXPENSE [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Wednesday A defence of the Government's action in extending the life of the present Parliament from three years to four without reference to. the electors was made by the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands, when speaking in the House to-night. "Why should the Labour Party single out that particular action when they disregard other important measures passed by the Government in the last two or three years for the assistance of the people of the Dominion?" asked Mr. Hansom. "Very important measures have been passed without reference to the electors. There was, for instance, the internal debt conversion. The country unquestionably endorsed that. There was the reduction of mortgage interest by 20 per cent, the Mortgagors and Tenants Relief Act, and taxation for the relief of unemployment, which have been accepted by the people of the Dominion readily and generously. These things, as the Prime Minister has said, are governed by common sense, and the people of the Dominion will undoubtedly show their approval of these actions when they get a chance to go to the polls. Mr. A. J. Stalhvorthy (Independent —Eden) : Give them the chance then. Mr. Ransom contended that the extension of the life of Parliament was an economy measure, as it was not in the best interests to put the country to the expense of a general election during a period of depression. Mr. W. J. Jordan (Labour —Manuka u) : That was not the reason. Mr. D. W. Coleman (Labour —Gisborne): It was not the one the Prime Minister gave. Mr. Ransom: The fact is, the country is not goivp; to be in a period of depression when the next election takes place in 1935. There has been a marked improvement, in the railway revenue and there has been a decrease in unemployment right in the middle of winter, but, notwithstanding this marked improvement, we are not yet out of the wood. "Why the anxiety of the Labour Party to seek an election at the end of this year?" asked Mr. Ransom. "There is only'one conclusion we can arrive at. They realise that a marked improvement is occurring in the affairs of New Zealand, and they want an election before that is complete. By the end of 1935 wo will be right out of the trouble. The Labour Party says why not go to the country when other countries are having elections? I would point out that the only country in the Empire whioh has returned a Labour Government during the period of the depression is Tasmania, and that by only one vote." Labour Voices: What about Queensland and Western Australia?

Concluding his reference to the subject, Mr. Ransom said the Labour Party had had the opportunity to join the Coalition Government, but had declined. It still placed party before the best interests of the Dominion.

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS BILL EXPECTED SHORTLY NO COMPULSORY PROVISIONS [BY TELEGRAM —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The Bible in Schools Bill, sponsored by Mr. H. Holland (Government — Christchurch North) is expected to be introduced in the House of Representatives shortly-. It is considered that the proposed measure will meet a kinder fate than previous ones, for, although its provisions aro based on bills brought before the House in the past, its terms are rather more liberal and less rigorous in application. If the proposals become law, neither teachers nor children will be forced to take part in daily religious classes unless they express a desire to do so. The teachers, in fact, will be required to apply for permission to teach religious subjects, and those teachers who do not take part in-special classes will bo occupied with ordinary secular classes. Mr. Holland, who expects the second reading of his bill to be taken some time next month, will devote much of his time to winning supporters, both outside and inside the House, for the religious instruction proposals. He will visit Feilding at the end of this week to address a meeting on behalf of tlio Bible in Schools League.

INVALID PENSIONS AIM OF PRIVATE BILL [BY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday An Invalid Pensions Bill will be brought before Parliament this session by Mr. J. O'Brien (Labour —Westland). The proposed measure is practically identical with that sponsored by the same member last year. It provides for pensions for invalids up to £1 a week for adults and 10s a week for children dependent on invalids. There aro safeguards providing against aliens coming to New Zealand to take advantage of a pension and safeguards against its abuse in provision for medical examinations for applicants.