FIRST DAY IN THE HOUSE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21578, 25 February 1932, Page 10

FIRST DAY IN THE HOUSE

A BATCH OF QUESTIONS NEW MEMBERS NOT RETICENT (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, February 24. No lack of modesty Avas displayed by the neAv members of Parliament to-day Avhen the first business sitting of the House of Representatives Avas held folloAving the formal opening of both Houses by the Governor-General. As soon as the Speaker had read the formal notices and Mr R. A. Wright ’Wellington Suburbs) had presented the sole petition of the day members rose from every part of the Chamber advancing a crop of questions covering a multiplicity of subjects. The Government’s attention Avas sought for matters great and small, from currency reform to an extension of summer time. Old members reintroduced their favourites of many years’ standing, farmers’ affairs and rural rates featuring largely among the queries. Mr A. D. M'Leod and Mr W. J. Poison both sought relief to farmers and rural ratepayers. Legislative measures to assist State Advances tenants Avert* suggested from the Labour benches. Mr P. Fraser pressed for an adjustment of the cases of unemployed tenants who Avere unable to meet their rents so that the landlord should receive at least a portion of his money and the tenant remain provided for. Mr G. C. Black, after notifying his intention of reintroducing the State Lottery Bill, asked the Government to grant greater facilities for the issue of gold mining rights, paiticularly in vieAv of the extraordinary interest in the industry at the present time.

Ministers refused to be drawn by a batch of urgent questions, and the only definite response from the Government front benches came from the Prime Minister, who assured Mr Wright that there was no intention to extend the period of summer time to cover the Easter holidays. A chorus of “ Hear, hears ” from the rural representatives greeted the announcement, showing that an extension would have met with a certain amount of opposition within the House. A touch of irony was introduced by Mr J. A. Lee, who asked fbr a return of the number and the cfast of all commissions appointed in the past year to assist the Government in framing its policy, but his attempt at humour fell flat in the Chamber, which was hardly in laughing vein. A smile was raised by Mr H. E. Holland, however, who dispelled any doubt of Labour’s intention to challenge the Government’s policy at the earliest moment by giving notice of a noconfidence amendment to the Address-in-Reply motion. Mr A. J. Murdoch gave notice of the Address and Mr Holland immediately notified his intention to move an amendment.

To-morroAv the House Avill pay tribute to the memory of six past legislators and a short adjournment will be taken until the evening, when the tAvo opening speeches in the Address-in-Reply debate will be delivered. Friday and the subsequent sitting days Avill be devoted to the debate, Avhich, if members exercise their full privileges, will be spread over the greater part of the Aveek. After next aveek it is the intention of the Prime Minister to ask the House to sit on Mondays and to institute daily sittings until midnight instead of the usual 10.30 adjournment. With a view to facilitating the speedy transaction of business an arrangement is being made betAvecn the Coalition parties to curtail speeches in the Address-m-Reply, though a strong debating force is expected from the Labour side.

Mr DoAvnie StcAvart Avill take an early opportunity of making a full statement of the country’s finances and acquainting members Avith the details of the position, of Avhich they have so far been told only the broadest outlines.