HOUSE AND LOBBY PARLIAMENT IN PARAGRAPHS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12181, 4 July 1925, Page 5

HOUSE AND LOBBY PARLIAMENT IN PARAGRAPHS

“Turning ’em out like butcher’s sausages.”—Mr XV. Parry on the rush to become lawyers.

Preference for British immigrants over those arriving from Southern Europe is advocated by Mr It. Buddo (Kaiapoi). * • * * • Mr IT. G. Sullivan desires to know if the Government will set up a body to investigate the probable effects of Imperial preference—the effect cn primary production, secondary industry, and Imperial relations. **,* * • * HOURS FOR SMALL SHOPS. Mr Sidey brought up the question of the hours during which small shops are kept open. He asked if the Government would introduce legislation with a view to settling the troubles that at present existed in connection therewith. The Hon. Air Anderson said he was very well acquainted with this trouble. Difficulties had arisen both in regard to the employers and the employees. One side was asking for legislation to amend the Arbitration Court award, and the other was protesting against it. He had stated that he would not bring in any legislaiton to interfere with an Arbitration Court award. He did not think that a right thing to do. and he had no intention whatever +o do it. It might, however, be necessary to amend the Shops and Offices Act in regard to the hours shops should remain open. It might be deemed to have exemptions in regard to some cases. There had been petitions on the subject, and the petitions committee had invariably turned them down, it was a very serious matter to interfere with the court, but Parliament might consider the question of legislating in lines suggested by the court itself. ***** Mr Sullivan (Avon) gave notice to ask a question in regard to accidents to people coming into contact with broken live electric wires. Later, Air de la' Perrelle put a similar question to the Prime' Minister as a matter cf urgency.

Mr Coates said that a careful investigation had been made in regard to accidents tfiat had happened owing to people coming in contact with live wires, and they had legislation prepared which they hoped would to some extent see that the workmanship was done only by qualified persons. If that was arranged it ought to have some effect in minimising the number of accidents. In regard to the accidents through breakage of wires no practical solution had been found. From the history of the accidents the department was collecting data and preparing it in a wav to see if there could be further safeguards taken. *****

Mr Munro (Dunedin North) read a telegram from the Labourers’ Union regarding unemployment in Central Otago. It stated that seasonal unemployment there had been intensified oy the cruel policy of discharging men from the public works in Central Otago. He aßked if the Government would take steps in the interest of the men. The Hon. Air Coates said he was unaware of any instruction that had been given by the Public Works Department in Hie direction indicated. There was, however, some difficulty in finding employment for men in Central Otago, and quite recently the Government. in order to relieve the situation, had Sgreed to continue the railway line beyond Miller’s Flat. He would have inquiries made, and see what the position was. ***** PRIME MINISTER AND HARDSHIP Mr W. B. Parry (Auckland Central) drew the attention of the Prime Alinister to a printed statement concerning the case of a woman and five children who were living in such poor circumstances that they had sacks instead of blankets to cover them atnight. The husband was out of work. The P/ime Minister said there were local organisations for attending to such people. TheFS were cases in New Zealand, however, he believed, where a thorough investigation ought to be made, and he regretted he mtd not the time so far to go personally into the matter, but he intended to take the matter up and see what could be done. He was referring, he said, principally to housing. He had a few ideas of his oivn which he Thought would in the course of a few years relieve the situation. He sympathised with people in such straights oned circumstances, and what could be done would be done. ***** A note of warning in respect of produce control was sounded by the Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie in the Legislative Council yesterday. “During the war,” he said, “under the Food Control Board, New Zealand meat and butter had been held up in stores in an attempt to keep up unconscionable prices until they actually rotted. It is necessary that the men who are at the head of these hoards shall bo such as have a thorough knowledge of the markets, and who will be able to judge when it is necessary to clear stocks so as to avoid a glutted market, and who will not allow the principle of obtaining high prices for the product to outweigh their judgment in this respect..” ***** A thunderstorm delayed them and they lost tlieir pay. Government Printing Office employees who came in from the Hutt Valley train on June 15th were almost an hour late, and according to Air P. Fraser they found a difference on their pay-sheet. The loss of time was in no wav their own fault, said Mr Fraser. The Hon. G. •T. Anderson, who controls the printing office, admitted ignorance, and promised to investigate. In some Government departments, lie said, men were permitted to make time up.

"When the over-crowding of certain professions was a topic in the House yesterday afternoon, the HoNn. W. Nosworthy remarked that we were “turning out too many lawyers.’

"When the Hon. R. F. Bollard rose in the House yesterday afternoon to lay on the table of the House a report of the proceedings of the New Zealand Institute it looked as if the deed would be the work of a moment. However, Mr Holland wanted to know what was in the document, and there grew up one of those discussions that drag and drift through the afternoon. Alost of the speakers advocated the encouragement of scientific research. Mr Atmore told of the thousands of pounds the C-awthron Instituto liad sac ed and would save the country. The Hon. Sir James Parr said lie agreed that there was need for a board that would gather the ends together—that would co-ordinate what had been done. Something waq being done in one department and something in another. There was need for a central authority.

New Zealanders have the type of mind for the successful pursuit of scientific investigation said Air W. A. Veiteh yesterday afternoon, but there were no opportunities for them here, and they were being lost to the country. He hoped the Government would so act as to make it possible for these bright intellects to be retained, here and for their results to be applied to industry. Thus might we increase production, and go far toward paying off our national debt. •** * . • Walter Charles Stevens, gassed on active service, allowed the military pension granted him to lapse in June 19X9. He struggled on with his farm, wanting no Government assistance, and when he died m September 1923, was possessed of 11s 3d. His widow, Zillah Stevens, was refused a pension on the ground that her husband’s death was not due to war injuries. Now she has petitioned Parliament for a permanent military pension. “What about silk stockings?” queried the Hon. AI. Cohen in the Legislative Council yesterday, when the Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie stated that he did not think that a blended or artificial article would ever take the place of wool. “I never have anything to do with silk stockings,” said Sir Thomas amid laughter. “But the ladies wear them,” Air Cohen replied. “You probably know best,” retorted Sir Thomas to the general amusement of the Chamber. ***** Three petitions declaring the present state of gaming laws in the Dominion to be unsatisfactory, that it would be better in the interests of jiuhlio morality to license bookmakers, and praying for legislation in this direction “under proper safeguards,” have been introduced to the House. The members presenting them are Messrs J. A. Young (Hamilton), E. D. McLennan (Franklin), and A. Bell (Bay of Islands). « * * * Mr R. A. Wright hands the Hon. J. G. Coates this bouquet: “Absolutely innocent, straight-forward and honourable.” “The Arbitration Court to-day instead of the institution which we expected. has developed into a National Charitable Aid Board.”—Air W. E. Parry (Auckland Central). ***** MR PARRY AND MR NOAH Thus Air R.. A. Wright on Air W. Parry: The hon. gentleman quoted from the Christchurch “Press” of 2 1881. If I can count correctly, that is thirty-four years ago. Where was the hon. gentleman 34 years ago? Playing marbles. Why I dmibt if there is a member of this House who was here 34 years ago. Where was the Prime Alinister thirtyfour years ago ? He was not thinking anything' about elections. The hon. gentleman who quotes from 1891 might as well go back to the days of Noah and tell us something about the ark. • •••*.

1 It cost £1776 for the Government to print the proceedings of the New Zealand Institute, stated the Hon. R. F. Bollard yesterday afternoon. He displayed a bulky tome. Voices: How much, how much? Sold at two guineas a copy. The Hon. Bollard: It is not sent all over the world. He began reading a list of the countries to which the proceedings were sent. He would guarantee to give members copies if they would undertake to read them. (Hear, hear ’ and laughter). Mr P. Fraser: And pass an 'examination of the contents next session? Air W. E. Parry (Auckland Central): That’s if they’re here! (Laughter). Air Bollard commenced to detail the contents. “Anthropology, Botany,” h« read. “Aliseellaneo’us." There were shouts of laughter. Air Fraser: Fusion! (Renewed laughter). • • • • • Local bodies may contribute up to anv reasonable amount towards the Dunedin Exhibition, stated the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. R. F. Bollard) yesterday. This power' rests with them under the terms cf section 75 of the Finance Act, 1954. , The Alinister’s statement was drawn forth bv a Tecent deputation of Wellington* business men, which waited upon him on the subject. ***** “Wliy the reply of the Minister of Labour', the other evening was nothing but a lot of cackle.” said Air W E Parry virtuouslv indignant. A Reform member: Wliat was there to reply to? * * * • • MUCH PERTURBED The Labour members are evidently very much perturbed at the general acclamation with which the election of Air Coates as Prime Alinister was received throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion, Mr Armstrong went to great lengths in his speech last night in condemning Air Coates winding up with the statement, that he was like a Chinese cracker — all fizz and no burst. Last night, Air Parry, a Labourite from Auckland Central followed. The GovernorGeneral’s statement he described as a colourless, bloodless document. He referred to Air Coates as having been puffed up to the clouds by the newspapers of the country. In response to that feeling manufactured bv tli© Press, h© 6aid, they might nave bad something very much better. There was some laughter when Air Parry expressed himself r.s very pleased with the result of the recent Franklin election . * * * * * The restrictions upon building in New Zealand had made it increasingly difficult, said Air R. A. Wright, and he wondered whether some arrangement could not he made whereby all t),o hy-laws, rules and regu'ations could he modified so that the cost of building houses would he loss than at present. At the moment it was simply terrifio.