BUSY WEEK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26596, 20 October 1947, Page 4

BUSY WEEK

MEMBERS OF HOUSE LEGISLATION EXPEDITIOUSLY HANDLED NO ACRIMONIOUS DEBATES Political Correspondent WELLINGTON, Oct. 19, Parliament was in business-like mood last week. Estimates involving millions of pounds were put through expeditiously and with no unseemly wrangles to raise the political temperature. In the Upper House, however, the Riccarton Bush Amendment Bill, hitherto regarded as just one more innocuous local measure, became the subject of a two-day debate. Once again was heard ihe measured peal of the Upper House division bells, and once again one or two inexperienced new members of the Lower House promptly hurried back to their own chamber to see what was afoot. Importance Magnified The Riccarton Bush Amendment Bid is sponsored by Mr Holland in his '■apacity as member for Fendalton, and the action of the Upper House in amending it seems likely to precipitate a controvery out of all proportion to its importance. The Bill, which was approved by the Local Bills Committee and enjoyed a smooth passage through the*Lower House, provides for the acquistion of additional land and the planting of additional trees in order to ensure the preservation of the wellknown Riccarton Bush given to the City of Christchurch by the Deans family. This measure, it may be recalled, was greeted with considerable levity when introduced by Mr Holland on the same day as his Legislative Council Abolition Bill. There is a certain irony in the fact that Legislative Councillors who were charged by Mr Holland with failure to exercise their revisionary powers appear to have singled out this particular Bill as a means of refuting his accusation. Mr Holland, however, 'has already indicated his dissatisfaction with the treatment of the Bill in the Upper House and further developments will therefore be awaited with interest. Committees of the House were unusually busy during the week. On Wednesday morning, for example, several matters of great public interest were under examination by various committees. One committee was hearing evidence on the Price Control Bill another was receiving representations from Bank of New Zealand shareholders, a third was considering a petition sponsored by Mr Melvin, president of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. Association on monetary questions, and three or four other committees were also hard at work.

Neat Maiden Speech

Although Mr W. Freer had been expected to withhold his maiden speech until the debate on the Workers’ Compensation Bill, he could not resist the temptation to olead for a railway overhead bridge ‘in Mount Albert when the Works Department estimates were under consideration. Although not a dynamic type of speaker, his fiveminute effort was neat and competent, and the applause which followed it was well earned.

During the absence of Mr K. J. Holyoake, who underwent an operation for gallstones at Dannevirke on Wednesday, and is reported to be making an excellent recovery, Mr W. J. Broadfoot, the senior Opposition Whip, is acting as deputy leader, and on Wednesday, when Mr Holland was away at Dunedin, he had the responsibility of acting as leader. “ Broady ” is a popular figure, and always one of Parliament's busiest men.

There was keen interest in the Works Department estimates, when many local problems were aired, while the vote for the tourist and Health Resorts yielded enthusiastic testimony to the irresistible charm of various beauty spots here. Mr W. A. Bodkin was in his element in eulogising the beauties of Haast Pass, but Mr P. G. Connolly, not to be outdone, gallantly insisted that South Island girls are also scenic assets. On the social side, both Houses enjoyed a wonderful party given for members of the Legislature by the Canadian High Commissioner, Dr Alfred Rive, whose unstinted hospitality had a surprisingly mellowing effect in some quarters.