PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23327, 20 October 1937, Page 17

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

NOTES FROM PRESS GALLERY QUESTIONS ASKED BY MEMBERS (From Oub Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Oct. 19. The Footwear Industry The controversy over the position of the boot manufacturing industry in the Dominion was mentioned to-day in the House of Representatives when in notice of a question. Mr S. G. Holland ?Opposition q Christchurch North) drew attention to a statement made last Thursday by the Minister of. Labour iMr H T. Armstrong) that the industry was at the peak of production. Mi Holland is asking whether that statement by Mr Armstrong and also his assertion that the boot manufacturers are employing the highest number of hands in their history are in accord with information in the, possession ol the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr D. G. Sullivan. Mr Holland is also asking whether Mr Sullivan will make a " true public statement of the whole position and have such a statement cabled to Australia, so that any wrong impression that may have been created by the Minister of Labour will be rectified and the people of Australia made aware of the correct position of the local manufacturers of footwear m New Zealand before next Saturday, on which date certain elections occur in Australia." Statement Challenged An address that was broadcast from 2YA on October 11 by a member of a training college staff was the subject of notice of a question given by Mr W. J. Poison (Opposition, Stratford). During this address. Mr Poison said, the following statement had been made:—" While you may hear of bombings in China, you don't hear of the women and children killed by British bombings on the north-west frontiers of India." , ~ ... . Mr Poison intends to ask the Minister of Education (Mr P. Fraser) whether he considers it desirable that "disloyal and inaccurate" statements should be made by a New Zealand civil servant through the State broadcasting system, and if the facts are as stated, is it desirable to allow such a condition of affairs to continue? Crew Walks Off Ship The action of the crew of the Watchlin Line motor ship Port Tauranga in walking off the ship at Tokomaru Bay. and possibly leaving the vessel in peril from rising seas, was referred to by Mr J. Hargest (Opposition, Awarua) in notice of a question addressed to the Minister of Marine (Mr P. Fraser). Mr Hargest is asking the Minister if he will take whatever steps are necessary to prevent a recurrence of the action that might result in the loss of a valuable ship.