PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25172, 12 March 1943, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY CONCLUSION OF DEBATE (F.0.P.R.) WELLINGTON, Mar. 11. Fifty-nine speakers took part in the Address-in-Reply debate, which was concluded in tne House of Representa--tives to-night with a brief reply by the mover of the motion, Mr C. W. Boswell (Govt., Bay of Islands). The debate extended over nine sittings, and contributions were made to it by 42 Government members, 15, Opposition members, one Independent, and one Democratic Labour member. After the debate had ended, a start was made with legislation, arrangements having been made to sit until midnight. . ‘ Moving the second reading of _ the Ministry of Works Bill, the Minister of Public Works, Mr R. Semple, said the measure co-ordinated the Housing and Public Works Deparfments,rso that they could tackle the major jobs which would face them after the war. He denied that it would mean the end of the small builder. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr • S. G. Holland, objected to the rushing of such an important measure-ffirbugb the House so quickly. regarded the Minister's explanation of the measure as reasonable, but he thought it would place too much power in the hands of the Commissioner of Works, whose appointment was provided for in the Bill. Discussion was still proceeding at midnight, when the House rose until 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.