HOUSE AND LOBBY PARLIAMENT IN PARAGRAPHS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12538, 30 August 1926, Page 6

HOUSE AND LOBBY PARLIAMENT IN PARAGRAPHS

PARLIAMENT’S OTHER WING According to a statement made in the House on Saturday evening by the Hon. Mr Williams, Minister for Public Works, there is a likelihood of the work of completing the second half of Parliament House being postponed indefinitely. "I am seriously considering putting it off till I satisfy myself ve are in a better position regarding finance.*' A big sum would be involved to put up the new wing, and by the expenditure of a small sum the old building could be made to serve the purposes of the Legislature for a number of years. He thought that was the line he would adopt. Hear, hears from a number of benches greeted the announcement. • • * * NAUGHTY WORD CONDONED The member for Gisborne got away with what the ordinary man might consider unparliamentary language wliije members were discussing the Public Works estimates on Saturday morning. Mr Forbes referred to the GisborneWairoa railway. I suppose it is in the district of the honourable member for Gisborne, he said. Mr W. D. Lysnar interjected, ''Yes, that is so, and they are not doing a damn thing." A mild call of order! order! from Mr Speaker and a titter of laughter from the benches was all that happened in addition. and the honourable member was not called upon to withdraw the word "damn/' • • • • NEW POST OFFICE A new post office at Upper Hutt is asked for dv Mr W. Field (Otaki), who said in the House that the present structure would make the Minister blush with shame. There was a vote on the Estimates, but he asked for this to be increased and tho work proceeded with. • • • * GOING SLOW? "I want to see the Prime Minister go to the Imperial Conference, and I wish him luck," said Mr M. J. Savage (Auckland West) "but I don't want to have to stop up for 24 hours in the day to make this possible. Hon. Mr Nosworthy: You want a union. Mr Savage: Yes; but I am afraid this union is working against common sense. Mr J. S. Dickson (Parnell): Going slow, is it? (Laughter.) • * • • THE EARLY BIRDS A protest at a proposal to construct a road through a kauri forest in the northern district was voiced by Mr M. J. Savage, who said that when the road went through it would be the end of the kauri. Mr Coates: Nonsense. Mr Savage said the area would have

to bo patrolled more carefully in ordt* to prevent fire. Hon. Mr Nosworthy: You will be able to hear the birds sinking as you go through. Mr ‘Savage: Well, according to tho hours we are compelled to sit, I am just beginning to wonder if we will be hearing the birds sing here—without going to tho expense of visiting a northern forest. # * * • WEEPING FOR FARMERS "Many crocodile tears have been shed over the backblocks settler, and if they were collected, there would be sufficient water to float a dreadnought."—Mr H. G. Dickie (Patea). Mr A. M. Samuel: You don't object, do you ? Mr Dickie: I object to the crocodile variety of tears • * * • NOT A DEAD HORSE Gratification at the success of the Mangahao hydro electric scheme 'was voiced in the House by Sir John Luke (Wellington North), who instanced the fact that the net loss for the year amounted to only =£29,935. The Horowhenua Board—one of the ten operating under the scheme, had emerged with a profit for the year of X 10.645. He looked to the time when the whole scheme would show a profit. The results had dispelled the fears of many people that the scheme was going to be a dead horse. He looked to tho linking up of all schemes and said, "Arapuni will not be in it when Waikaremoana is linked up." • * • • CITY POST OFFICES Increased accommodation at Molesworth street post offices was asked for in the House by Sir John Luke (Wellington North), who said that a section of land had been acquired in Molesworth street near Hawkestone street, where it was proposed to combine a post office with other Government offices. Ho objected to the office being shifted from the top of Molesworth street, however, for it was extensively used by residents in the J vicinity. He thought it would be beVj ter to erect another sub-office on the 1 same site. He also wished to have tho office opposite Parliament Buildings rebuilt. “We do not want a high priced building," he said, "but more accommodation is urgently required."^ RAILWAY OR FERTILISERS? "The money which it is proposed to spend on the Palmerston North railway deviation is unnecessary and unwarranted," declared Mr B. W. Smith. (Waimarino) in the House. "The money would have produced a much better result if it had been spent in fertilising the land, and assisting the struggling farmers to increase the volume of our primary products.”