DAY OF ACTIVITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 15

DAY OF ACTIVITY

INDUSTRIAL LAWS relief and employment ANOTHER BILL PASSED FIVE MAIDEN SPEECHES [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Tuesday ' Apparently refreshed by the weekend recess, members of the House of Representatives tackled their work in a spirit of cheerful enterprise when the House resumed to-day. All told it was a busy day, for, in addition to the complete n of the second reading debate on the Employment Promotion Bill, one new measure, the Factories Amendment Bill, was introduced, and the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill with amendments was "/ reported back to the House from the Labour Bills Committee. Interest also centred in a statement made in the House by the Minister of Employment, Hon. H. T. Armstrong, giving details of increases in the rate of payment to relief workers and recipients of relief. During the last few davs Mr. Armstrong has been in charge of most measures in the House, and his statement to-day appeared to be an extra, in which ho took considerable enjoyment. There was also a smile of triumph 011 the face of the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, when by order he sought to lay on the table of the House the fateful electoral returns of last year. In addition to the Government bill introduced, the Attorney-General, Hon. . H. G. R. Mason, gave notice of his ' intention to bring down three further measures, the Distress and Replevin Amendment Billj the Juries Amendment Bill, and the Regulations Bill. The two first-mentioned have appeared previously as private members' bills, , introduced by members of the Labour Party when they were in Opposition. The resumed second reading debate on the Employment Promotion Bill was notable for five maiden speeches, four from the Treasury benches and ono / from the Opposition side of the House. The speakers who figured for the first time in debate were Mr. J. Thorn I (Government —Thames), Mr. C. M. I Williams (Government —Kaiapoi), Mr. I A. F. Moncur (Government—Rotorua), | Mr. A. G. Hultquist (Government —Bay of Plenty), and Mr. S. G. Holland (Opposition—C'hristchurch North). The debate concluded shortly before ten o'clock, and, after the Minister had replied, the second reading was carried without division. The House / rose at 10.30 p.m. MEMBER IN HAT COMMENT DURING DEBATE LIGHT RELIEF PROVIDED [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] 7 WELLINGTON, Tuesday The wearing of hats by members in the chamber while the House of Representatives is in session is a privilege that has survived through many centuries, but it is rarely invoked in Netf Zealand. One of the few members in whom the custom has found expression in recent years is Mr. S. G. Smith (Opposition— Plymouth), to whom reference was made last night by Mr. F. W. Schramm /Government —Auckland East). Speaking' on the second reading debate on the Employment Promotion Bill Mr. Schramm said the Opposition were "squealing" because the measure embodied, a provision permitting the raising of th#> unemployment taxation levy. That clause, was ia the former Government's own Act, and no one knew it better than the honourable member who was wearing his hat. The allusion was to the ex-Minister of Employment. Mr. Smith, whose navy blue felt hat has graced debates from time to time. '

"Point of order," said Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition —Waitomo). "Is not ail honourable rnem-ber entitled to wear his hat in the chamber?" Mr. Schramm: I did not say he was not in order. I agree that he is entitled to wear his hat in the chamber. The Minister of Health, Hon. P. Eraser: It depends on the hat, does it not? (Loud laughter.) Mr. Schramm: The hat was hiding the face. (Renewed laughter.)

The Speaker: Will the honourable gentleman,please return to his speech?

» TASKS OF SESSION MUCH STILL TO BE DONE INDICATION BY MR. SAVAGE [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL, REPORTKR] , WELLINGTON, Tuesday "There is no likelihood of Parliament adjourning within the next threo weeks for a winter recess," said the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, in an interview to-day. "A fairly substantial programme of legislation has still to bo dealt with before we can think of a break. "The present bills liefore the House must be put through," continued Mr. Savage. "Moreover, 1 expect the Guaranteed Price Bill to be available toward the end of this week or early next week at the latest. Then the new mortgage legislation, which is really inseparable from the Guaranteed Price Bill dealing with the dairy industry, must also be dealt with so that, mortgage readjustments can be made on the same basis as the guaranteed price." Members of the Government Party held a caucus this morning to discuss the new measure containing vital amendments to the Factories Act and also the amendments made to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill by the Labour Bills Committee. The caucus approved both measures.

A caucus of the Opposition was also held at the samo time and consideration was given to the various industrial bills on the Order Paper of the House, special attention was given to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration ■Amendment Bill, and from what was gathered after.the meeting that measure is likely, to give rise to a vigorous debate in the House. It was explained bv the Leader of the Opposition, lit. Hon. G. W. Forbes, that the party in caucus had not given a »y consideration to the question of appointing a Junior Whip. The sole purpose of the caucus had been to con•ider the legislation before the House.