THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 27

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, September 19. The. Council met at 2.30 p.m. THE EDUCATION SYSTEM. Discussing the annual report of the Education Department, Mr G. M. Thomson moved —“ That in the opinion of the Council the report of the Minister of

Education should give a more definite definite undertaking than is contained in the introductory statement that the whole question of the educational policy of the Government will be considered in the near future.” The mover made a protest against the attitude of the department towards education boards and other educational bodies, and said that in this respect the department was going too far altogether. As a result a spirit of antagonism and bitterness was springing up. Continuing, Mr •Thomson discussed various phases of educational work, particularly stressing the lack of observational training in schools and the lack of cohesion between the high schools and technical schools, with consequent overlapping. Mr G. J. Garland seconded the motion. He dwelt upon the over-pro-duction of professional workers, and condemned the cost of education per head—£ls 6s—as excessive. He declared that an overhaul was very necessary. The Leader of the Council (Sir Francis Bell) defended the Minister and the department against the attacks in regard to creating ill-feeling with the boards, and said it was all the result of the old provincial system under which the provincial councils were continually quarrelling with the Central Government about moneys handed over to them for expenditure. The boards should make a greater recognition of the department’s duty to the country as a whole. Sir James Allen said the Leader did not support the idea of abolishing the boards. Sir Francis Bell: I carefully refrained from saying so. Sir Janies Allen said he regarded the boards and the school committees as necessary. Mr V. H. Reed differed from this view, remarking that the boards did not give a sufficient return for their cost. The debate was adjourned at 4.20 p.m.

WELLINGTON, September 20. - The Council met at 2.30 p.m. PUBLIC WORKS BILL. The Public Works Amendment Bill was reported from the Lands Committee without amendments and put through its final stages and passed without discussion. EDUCATIONAL POLICY. Continuing the debate on Mr G. M. Thomson’s motion—“ That in the opinion of the council the report of the Minister of Education should give a more definite undertaking that the Government’s educational policy will be considered in the immediate future,” Mr J. Barr referred to the production of tradesmen for industries in which there was no opening, and advocated an overhaul of the educational system with a view to ensuring that there was not an overplus of trainees. A stage had been reached when serious consideration should be given to the question whether there should not be a change in the system of education boards under a central authority. A tremendous leakage was taking place in the expenditure of money for educational purposes, particularly in the matter of school buildings. Less liberty should be allowed boards, and a keener scrutiny made of how the money was expended. The motion was carried.

The Council adjourned at 3.25 p.m. WELLINGTON, September 21. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. PUBLIC SERVANTS AND THE LICENSING ISSUE. ’ Sir Robert Stout drew the attention of the Leader of the Council (Sir Francis Bell) to a circular addressed to all the officers of the Public Trust Office instructing them to refrain from taking a prominent or active part in the licensing question, whether on behalf of the trade, the New Zealand Alliance, or any other body, and asked if it had been issued with the sanction of the Minister in Charge. Sir Francis Bell - replied that the circular was not submitted to the Minister before being issued. It was not customary or necessary to submit circulars relating to office administration for Ministerial approval. The Minister in Charge considered the circular proper and approved of it. CHARGES AGAINST LAND. The Council decided to insist on its amendments in the Statutory Land Charges Registration Bill and drew, up reasons for submission to the House. The Council adjourned at 3.13 p.m. till Tuesday.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WELLINGTON, September 18. The House met at 2.30. p.m. LEADER OF THE UNITED PARTY. Sir Joseph Ward occupied a seat on the front bench as the Leader of the United Party. STATE COAL MINE. Replying to the Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland), the Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates) said he would go into the question as to why the State coal mine was working only half time. He did not think that the State mine was in any different position from any other mine as lack of orders and shipping facilities were affecting the efficient working of the mines. He would, however, make inquiries and let the hon. gentleman know the result. HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES. Replying to Mr H. Atmore (Nelson), the Prime Minister said he could not promise an immediate reduction in the heavy traffic license fees because it was a question which was complicated by the fact that the finance of many local bodies was dependent on the revenue derived from this source. Whatever reduction of the fees might be made would have to be made good in some other way. The Government, however, would go into the question of reviewing the fees. He believed that it could be done without legislation, but it would have to be done most carefully because, as he had pointed out, it would so materially affect local body finance. MENTAL DEFECTIVES BILL. Mr W. J. Girling (Wairau), chairman of the Public Health Committee, brought down the report of the committee on the Mental Defectives Bill. The committee recommended that the Bill be allowed to proceed with the amendments made by the committee. He moved—- “ That the report do lie on the table.” The Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland) said he was not aware what amendments had been made in the Bill, but unless they were very considerable in some portions of the Bill then he would urge the Government to hold over the Bill till next session because the matter was too complex to be dealt with thoroughly this session. If the Government would not accept this advice then he hoped the House. itself would deal with it in no uncertain way. There was such a wide diversion of opinion on the subject outside the House that more time was required for consideration before the Government’s proposals were given Legislative effect. Mr Girling, in reply, said the Bill had been considerably altered. Almost every clause from clause 7 onwards had been altered. He therefore suggested that the report should lie on the table in order that members might have an opportunity of considering it. The was ordered to lie on the table.

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT. In reply to Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill), the Minister of Lands (Mr A. D. M'Leod), in laying on the table the report of the Lands for Settlement Department, said that the area purchased under the Act last year was 2233. acres, valued at £22,552. SOLDIER SETTLEMENTS. The Minister of Lands (Mr A. D. M‘Leod) laid on the table . the report of the soldier settlements. Mr J. A. Lee (Auckland East) asked ’the Minister to disclose to the House the fullest information regarding these settlements; otherwise the charge which had been made that large areas had been bought at excessive prices from friends of the Government must stand. The discussion was carried on by Mr R. P. Hudson (Motueka), Mr D. Buddo (Kaiapoi), Mr G. W. Forbes (Hurunui), Mr W. J. Savage (Auckland West), Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne), Mr H. E. Holland (Buller), and Mr D. Jones (Ellesmere ). Mr M‘Leod said that the discussion had been raised entirely for political purposes. His recent visit to Australia had convinced him that 10 times more information was given to the people of New Zealand about soldier settlements than to the people of Australia. He had no particular objection to placing the fullest information before the House because there was nothing to hide. On the other hand he was convinced that the people as a whole were satisfied, and that the information was not demanded by the Opposition sincerely, but only to use as propaganda against the Government, hoping that in that way and by that mea i they would at last get to the Treasury Benches. Mistakes were made,-no doubt, and he had admitted them, but the Government of that day was to some extent forced into the buying of land for soldiers by public opinion and by the attitude of Parliament. The Minister explained the system of writing down which had taken place in connection with soldier settlements, and suggested that the arguments of the Opposition that soidiers were paying too much was a direct invitation to soldiers not to pay what they owed to the State. Since 1925-26 the revenue from the soldier settlements had gone up from £1,629,000 to £1,792,000 in 1927-28, so that it was steadily marching on, and before long the Opposition would be deprived of one of .the bogies it had been in .the habit of raising to alarm the public. The report was laid on the table.

TEACHERS’ SUPERANNUATION FUND. The Minister of Education (Mr R. A. Wright) tabled the report of the Teachers’ Superannuation Fund, the discussion on which was proceeding when the House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. KINEMATOGRAPH FILMS BILL. When the House resumed at 7.30 p.m. the Prime Minister moved the second reading of the Kinematograph Films Bill, which, he said, was designed to give greater encouragement to the film industry the British Empire. The object of that was to increase the knowledge and interest of young people in British scenery and places of historic interest. Before the war film making was becoming an industry of considerable importance, but during the war that industry went out altogether. This was an attempt to revive it which was raised at the last Imperial Conference, when it was felt that British people should get together and encourage film production within th e Empire. To this end a Bill was introduced last year; but was not proceeded with because considerable objection was raised in various quarters to the proposed quota of British films to be used. Now they had adopted the quota provided for in the Bill passed by the House of Commons. It was a progressive quota, rising in the case of renters from 7| per cent, in 1929 to 29 per cent, in 1938. In the case of exhibitors it rose from 5 per cent, to 20 per cent, in 1938. In framing this quota they had been readily assisted by film exhibitors’ associations, and they had voluntarily agreed to accept the quota laid down in the Bill. If it should be found that any part of the exhibitors was not being accepted it was provided that by Order-in-Council the compulsory provisions of the Bill could be brought into force. So far as the renters were concerned they did not accept the quota because they handled foreign films, mainly American, and wanted free trade in films, but at the same time he felt that later on it would be found that the renters would fall into line and work harmoniously under the Bill. In considering the Bill the committee gave it very close attention, and he thought they had grasped its principles fairly well in spite of smoke screens put up to prevent their understanding it. However, he thought everyone interested in the Bill had now admitted the wisdom of its principle. Once the exhibitors had accepted it voluntarily that helped everybody greatly, and he believed the mind of the renters was that if there was going to be a quota it had better be accepted voluntarily, and that, he thought, would be the ultimate position. After Mr T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland) and Mr D. Buddo (Kaiapoi) had spoken, the Prime Minister replied, and the House went into committee on the Bill. After an hour’s discussion on the lines of the second reading debate, the Bill was reported with only a formal amendment. It was then read a third time and passed, and the House rose at 1 a.m.

WELLINGTON, September 19. The House met at 2.39 p.m. CHURCH OF ENGLAND EMPOWERx ING BILL. The Church of England Empowering Bill was reported back from the Special Committee. Mr W. J. Girling (Wairau). said the changes made in the Bill were not great, but they were such as to have removed the difficulties of the objectors, who now supported the Bi’l. The safeguards put in the Bill were such that 11 members out of a General Synod of 70 members could prevent any change in the formularies of the church. A further safeguard had been inserted in the shape of an appeal court to which five communicants could appeal. He did not agree with Mr Harris that changes in formularies should come before Parliament for ratification, as the Church in New Zealand was not a State Church, and could not be interfered with by Parliament. Mr F, F. Hockly (Rotorua) said that as matters stood at present changes could be made in the Prayer Book by one vote in the Synod. In the event of the Church becoming disestablished in England, under this Bill those changes could not be made except on a twothirds majority of the Synod. The most important statement made to the committee was by the Archbishop of New Zealand (Dr Averill), who expressed the opinion that the disestablishment of the Church in England was by no means as impossible as many people thought. A meeting of bishops would be held next month to determine the position of the Church in that connection. The report was adopted. GOOK.-ISLAND TOMATOES. Replying to Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Riccarton) the Minister in charge of tho Cook Islands (Sir Maui Pomare) said there was little likelihood of the fruit fly reaching New Zealand through the medium of Cook Island tomatoes, because fly did not attack any but ripe fruit. Cook Island tomatoes were shipped in an unripe state, and were not liable to attack. Further, the tomatoes were carefully examined before they left and after they arrived here. If, however, the fruit fly did arrive here the fly would not live because the climate was too cold for it.

POLICE FORCE RETIRING AGE. Replying to Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) the Minister of Justice (Mr F. J. Rolleston) said he was considering the question of amending the Police Act .with regard to the retiring age of constables.

SOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. Mr R. A. Wright laid on the table the annual report of the Government Printing Office. Mr M. J. Savage (Auckland West) »sked why so much of the Government printing was done outside the Government Printing Office and why Government magazines were being used for Government propaganda. Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon) said there was evidently a “ ring ” in the printing trade, as no independent tenders could be obtained by local bodies. In the circumstances the Government Printing Office should be allowed to do local body printing. He objected to State magazines being used to “ boost ” the Government. The Prime Minister (Mr-J. G. Coates) said they had information that they had in New Zealand sufficient printing plant and equipment to do all the printing for double our population. If, then, the Government increased the present capacity of its printing office and brought all its work under one office, it vfould mean that a great 'deal of private machinery and plant would be lying idle. He therefore took a broader view than that. Economically it was not sound that the Government should mop up all the printing business, but it should be made to go round as widely as possible and as fairly as possible, keeping the Government office to do the essential work for Parliament and the Government departments. He failed to see 'how objection could reasonably be taken to the matter- put into such publications as News and Views. So far as he knew it was fair and -informative. The Railway Magazine was doing a most useful service by giving officers of the department a lead on questions of policy and railway practice. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland) said the Opposition had no fault to find with the work done in private printing offices. It was as good as in any part of the world, but a great deal of printing was being done outside which should be done inside the Government Printing Office. He reiterated his objection to partisan articles appearing in Government magazines. Mr A - bright, in reply, said that the printing of the railway magazine was tendered for amongst a number of offices, including the Government office, and the job was given to the lowest tenderer. That was a perfectly legitimate answer to the criticism. If a “ring” existed in Wellington printing circles he knew nothing of it. If everything of a contentious nature was to be phut out of Government publications they would hardly be able to publish anything at all. The report was laid on the table and the House adjourned. On resuming at 7.30 p.m. the H .use went into Committee on the Licensing Amendment Bill.

WELLINGTON, September 20. THE LICENSING BILL. The House met at 2.30 p.m., and almost immediately proceeded to the orders of the day, the first of which was further consideration of the Licensing Bill in committee. After a lengthy debate (a full report of which appears under a separate heading) the Bill went to its third reading which was defeated by 34 votes to 33, and the House rose at 1.35 a.m. WELLINGTON, September 21. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE RAILWAY STATEMENT. Before proceeding with the consideration of the Estimates the Prime Minister intimated that he proposed to ask the House to discuss the Railway Statement before the Railway Estimates were called on, and this course was agreed to. Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) said he did not complain at the salary paid to the new general manager of railways, because if he was the right man he would more than earn what he was paid. Whether he was the right man time alone would tell. The reason why our railways did not pay was not because they were over-capitalised, but because we had not completed the systems which we had commenced. We - -had not adopted up-to-date methods, and as an improvement he suggested the employment of Diesel electric engines, of which he had read very favourable reports. These engines had remarkable speed at very low cost of fuel. There was nothing on wheels to-day that could compete with our railways if the management did not lack vision. Sir George Hunter (Waipawa) urged the speeding up of the trains between Napier and Palmerston worth. Mr W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) discussing motor competition, said there were portions of New Zealand where the railways could never hope to compete 1 with motors, and for that reason we should not indulge in a great programme of expenditure on the railways. The expenditure would have to be closely watched and progress would have to be slow. The life of a line was only about 30 years, and provision should be made for re-laying at least 100 miles of line every year. That statement he was prepared to argue out before any railway accountant. Mr M. J. Savage (Auckland West) advocated the electrification of suburban railway services, and expressed regret that, as yet, we were only in the inquiry and report stage in this connection.

Mr W. Lee Martin (Raglan) asked, the Minister to give his sympathetic , attention to the problem of utilising New Zealand coal on the railways.

Mr D. G. Sullivai- (Avon) complained that inventors in the service met with an unsympathetic reception when presenting devices intended to make the 'service more efficient. In some cases lack of sympathy grew into injustice as inventions which w-ere at first rejected were subsequently adopted, but the original inventor received no recognition. The Prime Minister, in reply, said that since the service was reorganised there had been a marked improvement in the tone and efficiency of the staff. They were genuinely interested in their work, and were doing their best to give the public service. As the facilities increased so the efficiency would increase, and, he believed, public appreciation would grow. The Prime Minister’s speech was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. THE ESTIMATES. On resuming at 7.30 p.m. the House immediately went to Committee-of-Supply to consider further the Estimates, the vote of £428,072 for the Police Department being the first to be taken. Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill) raised the question of the commissioner’s salary, £9SS, which, he said, was lower than that paid to commissioners in any Australian State. Formerly it was £llOO, and he wanted to know why the present commissioner was being paid less. * ’

Mr W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) appealed to the "Minister (Mr F. J. Rolleston) to improve the working and living conditions of the force. The list of compassionate allowances to the widows of deceased officers was an eloquent testimony that those officers had not been in receipt of sufficient pay. Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon) thought the present force was perhaps the best m the history of the country, but the arrangements for retiring on superannuation were not satisfactory, and he asked that this should be altered. The present commissioner had "rendered very efficient service and his remuneration should be increased accordingly. Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) made an appeal for better treatment of the police all round. They carried their lives in their hands and were always ready to do their duty. The commissioner should receive equal pay with the chief of the military forces, for in times of peace his services were all important. Mr W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) said he was not going to throw bouquets at the police, this being election year, but he did want to put in, a plea for the policemen’s wives. lion members: Ha ha! The Prime Minister: That ought to get you in. Continuing, Mr Parry said he thought the widows of the police should receive a Birger share of the superannuation paid during the life of their husbands as they had to participate in the sacrilice made.

The Minister, in reply, said he had a keen appreciation of the services rendered by the Police Force. The question of superannuation was a most difficult one because it could not be dealt within sections or in a hurry. If an alteralon were made in one department it would, of course, affect all the othedepartments. It might be that the whole scheme of superannuation would have to be reviewed. With regard to the pay of the commissioner he was prepared to consider the matter, but he coala 11Ot nla^e an y definite promise. lhe vote was then agreed to. The Government Life Insurance account, £112,243, was next taken. The vote was agreed to. The Government Accident Insurance account £171,420, the State Fire Insurance account £35,744, and the Audit Department £29,459 were all agreed to without discussion. The Westport Harbour account, £51,995, was next considered. The Prime Minister stated that it had been decided to appoint a resident engineer, but he could not disclose the name at present. The question of local representation had not been quite settled, and there were other questions which were being held over for the opinion of the resident engineer when he was settled down. The vote was passed. The Railways Department, £6,670,425, was the next taken. Mr P. Traser (Wellington Central) paid a tribute to the staff of the railways, which always rendered cheerful and courteous service Several members complained of “ slow ” trains in their districts. The Prime Minister replied that it was recognised that many trains were not altogether satisfactory, but the element of economics had unfortunately to be considered, and they had to do the best they could in unfavourable circumstances. The vote was passed. The Native Department £30,259, the Department of Scientific Research £59,181, and the public service commissioner £7270 were passed without comment. • On the vote of £92,826 for advances to settlers and allied departments several members commented favourably on the courtesy displayed by officers df this department and their prompt attention to correspondence. The Minister of Finance said that the Rural Credits Branch loans were now up to date. The settlers’ branch was about nine months behind, and the workers’ branch was about 18 months behind. . As the rural credits branch was now self-supporting and had its own funds, it was setting free more money which would go to help the workers’ branch. The vote was passed. The Post Office account of £2,532,305, the printing and stationery account £230,293, public service superannuation account £7969, Electoral Department

£90,209, lands for settlement account £3548, Nauru and Ocean Islands account £6OO were all passed without discussion. The House rose at 10.30 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.