HOUSE RESUMES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24850, 23 March 1944, Page 4

HOUSE RESUMES

COMING DISCUSSIONS LONGER HOURS LIKELY FINISH LATE NEXT WEEK (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday An indication that there was sufficient business to keep Parliament occupied until toward the end of next week was given by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Frnser, in the House of Representatives to-day, in outlining the remaining programme of business. It might be necessary to take urgency to-night for the Finance Bill, Mr. Fraser said, but it was not proposed that it should be passed then, because it represented probably the only opportunity members would-have in ibis part of the session of discussing generally the administration and policy of the Government. However, he would like to have the bill passed by the end of Thursday's sitting. The Agreement with Australia

There were a number of subjects for discussion, apart from the secret session, the Prime Minister continued. There was the Australian-New Zealand agreement, discussion on which could be taken to suit the convenience of members, possibly on Friday or Saturday. Then there was the question of lendlease. Although that would be touched on probably in the Finance Bill debate, he thought it was big enough in importance, if members desired, to a special time for its general discussion. Another matter in which New Zealand had expressed its willingness to undertake obligations was the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. Mr. Fraser thought it could well be discussed with lend-lease.

Railwaymen's Conditions Referring to legislation for this part of the session, Mr. Fraser said there was not much, but it was important. There would he an amendment to the Government Railways Act, providing for setting up a tribunal to deal with conditions of employment subject to the stabilisation regulations. Then there was the question of implementing the desires of Invercargill electors on the licensing issue, and a measure would be brought down. There might be one or more other matters. Mr. W. S. Goosman (Opposition— Waikato): What about rehabilitation in New Zealand? Was not an opportunity for discussion on that promised? Mr. Fraser: That can be discussed on the Finance Bill, but if members wish to have another opportunity. I shall endeavour to arrange it. It is important enough for a separate discussion. The Prime Minister added that it might be too optimistic to hope that the business would be finished by next Wednesday, but if not, then it should by the Thursday or Friday. If it suited tlie convenience of the House, they could meet at 2.30 p.m. on Friday and sit on Friday evening. The House might then sit from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Saturday. Procedure with Questions The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland, asked what was intended about the proposed adoption of the Statute of Westminster. Mr. Fraser said it would not be introduced in this part of the session. Where an alteration of the constitution was involved, it was necessary that there should be time for discussion and consideration.

Mr. \Y. Doidge (Opposition — Tauranga): Forget about it. Mr. Fraser: We may not all have such convenient memories as the honourable member

Mr. Holland said that questions were a most important part of Parliamentary procedure. It was impossible for members to give full attention to the 99 questions and replies circulated to-day in two and a-half hours.

Mr. Fraser said he would be pleased to consult the House if it were considered that more time should be given. FLOOD OF REPLIES FINANCE BILL DEBATE SPEECH BY MR. FRASER (5.1?.) WELLINGTON. Wednesday Ministerial replies to members' questions were circulated and discussed in the House of Representatives when it resumed this afternoon after an adjournment since last Thnrsdav. There were 99 replies, which covered a comprehensive range of subjects. The second reading debate on the Finance Rill was resumed in the evening. when the Prime Minister, the lit. Hon. P. Fraser, took part. He spoke for fully 90 minutes. The House rose at 10.30 until tomorrow afternoon.

ESCAPE FROM PORIRUA

TWO MEN RECAPTURED EXPLOSIVES IN POSSESSION (0.C.) WANGANUI, Wednesday Following a wide police hunt for two men in a stolen sedan car, who went through Palmerston North at SO miles an hour last Sunday. Constables Cross and -Fraser early this morning arrested two young men who had escaped from the Porirua Mental Hospital. The men had a quantity of gelignite, detonators, petrol and other goods believed to have been stolen. The arrested men escaped from the mental hospital on March 6. and the car found in their possession this morning had been stolen from a place in the Auckland district on March 15. They were apparently making south again on Sunday when they were chased out of Palmerston North by two traffic inspectors. whose cars they attempted to wreck, and then turned back north toward Wanganui. Following the report of the chase in Palmerston North, the Wanganui police kept a close watch, and Constables Cross and Fraser decided to watch a, hut in Montgomery Road. After they had kept guard lor several hours last night, their vigil was rewarded by the appearance of the escaped men at 2 a.m. As both are declared mental patients, they will be returned to the institution under escort. LAKE TAUPO LEVEL REPORT BY ENGINEER (0.C.) TAUPO, Wednesday

The Tuwhnretoa tribe, through the Tiiwharetoa Trust Board, has engaged the services of Mr. E. Glanville, civil engineer, of Gisborne, to furnish a report on the raising of the level of Lake Taupo nnd to ascertain if it is not possible to secure an alternative that will not interfere with the electrical development schemes 011 the Waikato River. The present high level of the lake has caused flooding over a large area of cultivated lands around the lake and also 011 ihe old ancestral homes sites at the Tokaanu and Waihi pas. Air. Glanville has just completed an extensive tour of the lake shores and the Waikato River and will report to the board at an early date. All expenses are being met by the Tiiwharetoa Trust Board.

WORKERS' EXTRA RATIONS (S.R.) WELLINGTON. Wednesday

"It would not be practicable to reduce a complete week's ration of butter or meat by a fraction merely because a normal day's work was not performed by the workers concerned," said the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, replying in tho House of Representatives to-day to a question by Mr. 1). C. Kidd (Opposition—Waitaki). The Minister added that it would be'impossible, for example, to arrange for one-seventh of a special butter ration to be deducted if a worker did not work on a particular day or part of it.