BRISK DEBATES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24971, 14 August 1944, Page 2

BRISK DEBATES

TOPICS IN PARLIAMENT WIDE RANGE IN WEEK (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. Although no contentious legislation came before the House of Representatives last week there was no lack of debating material. A week in which discission embraced a wide range of subjects—with the question of the primary industry's share of payments from Britain under the trade agreement dominating—ended with a vigorous debate on Friday on the Opposition's submissions for the removal of the press censorship. Friday's debate indicated that- the question of retaining or removing wartime legislation can be as provocative of contentious debates as the introduction of new legislation on purely domestic affairs in wartime. Arguments Becoming Threadbare With members allowed a full hour each in the Budget debate, they find that even such a paramount question as the prices to be paid the primary producers becomes threadbare with a succession of speeches, and they inevitably delve into the records of the past for subject matter to sustain them. This has been typical of speakers on both sides of the House, and so tar no members have any teildeAcv to measure their time and contributions by the substance of _ their topics. According to present lncucations the debate will continue for at least another fortnight, for to date only 14 members have spoken. Little Mention of Legislation

Little mention has been made of probable new legislation, but the Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, has stated ill at a bill to cover both war and earthquake damage will be introduce!. One other measure expected is a hill to give effect to New Zealand fi contribution of £2.600.000 under the I'nrra conference provisions lor the rehabilitation of devastated huropean countries. I% The Auckland Metropolitan Drainage Hill which was introduced as a local bill bv Mr W. T. Andcrton (Government-" Kdeit) will hold special interest for Auckland local bodies in particular and the residents generally It has been referred to the Local Bills Com-mit-tee. before whom it is anticipated that representations will be c °"~ cerning the clause under which the drainage board would have borrowing powers without reference to a ratepayers' poll.