STRENUOUS DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22878, 5 November 1937, Page 13

STRENUOUS DAY

lAEBITKATION changes fi BROADCASTING DEBATE attack by opposition urgency obtained for bill ft [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL RKPOHTER] TA ELLINGTON, Thursday Further heated arguments concerning the artivitips of Mr. C. G. Serimgeour in his administration of tho commercial broadcast ing service ronstitutod tho main fontnro of to-day's proceedings in the House of Representatives. It was ii busy sitting with several other matters occupying the attention of members before the Opposition, started to drive honifr its attack on commercial broadcasting. .An important item in the earlv part of tho sitting was the introduction of _ the industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill. the second measure to amend tho arbitration law which has been introduced by the Government this session. The' new bill makes provision for the setting up of a temporary Court to assist the"permanent Arbitration Court in overtaking arrears of work and a 1 tors the existing legislation in several other directions." Some tim rt was also spent hv the House in the consideration of reports from select committees and a i'airlv lengthy debate was occasioned on tho question of;county ratin«'. When thd J second reading dehate 011 the Broadcasting Amendment Hill was resumed later in the afternoon tho - Prime .Minister, Mr. Savage, asked for urgency for the passage of the measure through its remaining stages. This brought immediate protests from the Opposition, but the motion for ae- , cording urgency was carried on a division by 47 votes to 15. Opposition members then commenced their attack on the bill in earnest and Mr. Scrimgeour's radio activities were discussed vigorously and in detail. Tho main defence of Mr. Scrimgeour's appointment was conducted by ]\lr. Savage himself, who expressed unbounded confidence in the ability and integrity of the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting: The debate was still in progress at midnight. THE AIR FORCE ENLISTMENT OF IYOUTHS PARENTS' CONSENT REQUIRED NEW PROVISION IN BILL [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Thursday Youths under the age of 21 years must receive the consent of their parents or guardians before they can be permitted to enlist in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. This is a new provision which has been incorporated in the Air Force Bill by the Legislative - Council and which was approved to-day . by the House of Representatives. When the bill was received back from the Council the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, said the clause dealing frith the enlistment of minors had been redrafted by the Statutes Revision Committee. In its new form it provided that applicants for enlistment under the age of 21 would not be allowed to join the air force if their parents or guardians objected. Every application for enlistment by a minor would have to be accompanied by a written expression of approval from the applicant's parent or guardian. The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton: That seems to improve the bill. t Mr. F. W. Schramm (Government — Auckland East): As the clause stands now. can the Minister over-ride any objections by a boy's parents? Tho Minister: No. Xo objection was raised to the inclusion of the amended clause in the bill, which was passed accordingly. REFUSAL OF INQUIRY ATTITUDE OF GOVERNMENT SIR A. RANSOM'S COMMENTS [BT TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Thursday

A suggestion that behind the Prime Minister's refusal to set up a Royal Commission to inquire into the ramifications of the Commercial Broadcasting Service wn.~ the fear of disclosures which might be discreditable to the Government was made by Sir Alfred Ransom (Opposition—Pahiatua) during the debate on the Broadcasting Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-night. Sir Alfred asked what qualifications llr. Scrimgeotir possessed that were not possessed,by Professor Shelley. Members of the Opposition appeared to know more about the reverend gentleman than the Prime Minister did. Mr. I). W. Coleman (Government — Gisborne): What do you know?

Sir Alfred: We admire the Prime Minister 'for taking full responsibility. .The Rt. Hon. .T. G. Coates (Opposi-tion—-Kaipara): We feel sorry for him. "We would welcome any investigation whatever,", continued Sir Alfred. If the Prime Minister has nothing to cover up; as he assures us, then why is he objecting to an inquiry? All that ye on this side of the House are asking 3s that all the cards be placed on the table and that everyone who has evidence to give should be heard before a Court of Inquiry."