HEATED EXCGABGES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17958, 9 December 1932, Page 5

HEATED EXCGABGES

EARLY MORNING DEBATE “ .TT

EMPLOYMENT INQUIRIES

LABOR MEMBERS' ALLEGATIONS

(Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. With tempers somewhat strained after sitting for 17 hours, sharp words were spoken in the House soon after dawn this morning, when the clause in the Finance Bill .indemnifying Mr. S. G. Smith and Mr. E. A. Ansell from disqualification through the receipt of payment for services in connection with the investigation into juvenile employment was under review. Labor speakers made pointed references to the rebuke administered to Mr. W. E. Parry (Labor, Auckland G.) at a meeting in Auckland addressed by the- Governor-General, and there was a brisk exchange between the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates and Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Labor, Christchurch E.) on the question of individual ability. The discussion was inaugurated by Mr. J. A. Lee (Labor, Grey Lynn), who sought information as to the amount which had been expended by Mr. Smith and Mr. Ansell. Members acting on commissions should have an adequate allowance, but the sum should be disclosed. Mr. Lee asked also .what had happened to the repeyt the members were to prepare. He had nothing against a payment being made if some return for it could bo seen. “Is this,” he asked, “another example of political patronage?” The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes: What political patronage? Mr. Lee: Members are appointed to commissions if they are of the right political color. Mr. Coates: Would you consider political leanings? ‘ ‘ MOUSE-TRAP ' ' COMMISSION Mr. Lee: Why wasn't a member of the Labor Party appointed to this <«mouse-trap commission?'' He asked if an estimate could be given of the expenditure. Mr. Smith declared that Mr. Lee had not taken the smallest interest in finding employment for boys in Auckland. Mr. Lee: I am taking considerable interest. We are entitled to know all about this commission; this political patronage; these spoils to the victors. “If the report of this committee is to deal with mouse-traps I am not going to think much of it,” said Mr. F. Langstone (Labor, Waimarino). Declaring that it was quite evident that the matter was being made a personal One, Mr. Smith said the House would be informed of the cost of the investigation. It had cost him money tO go round the country to dp the job. Continuing, ho said that at one meeting addressed in Auckland a very distinguished gentleman had given an address. Mr. Lee: A good Tory speech. Mr. Fraser: He was interfering in politics, which he had no right to do. SOME PERSONALITIES Mr. Smith: I have a copy of the speech which was made, and a copy of the minutes at that meeting. Mr. Leo and Mr. Parry wore present. Mr. E. J. Howard (Labor, Christchurch S.): Why drag that in? • Mr. Smith said that in the placing of 671 boys in Auckland, Mr. Leo had AOt assisted at all.' ' “Nonsense! ” interjected Mr Coates when Mr. Armstrong assorted that more boys were unemployed to-day than when the committee started its investigations. “What have you done?” he asked. “More than you have ever done, retorted Mr. Armstrong. Mr. Smith: Mr. Armstrong was once on a commission and received £2 5s a dt Mr. Coates: What did he do for it? Mr. Armstrong: I did more than you are ever capable of doing. I will take you on at anything —yes ; at anything acting-chairman: Order! Order! “What about the other chap?” demanded Mr. Armstrong. The acting-chairman: I am uddress-

imr you. ]y|~j» t Armstrong: What about calling the other fellow to order too. You are pretty good at calling this side to OI A complaint was made by Mr. Parry that attempts had been made during Messrs. Smith and Ansell’s investigations to put the Labor Party offside. GOVERNOR CRITICISED

“We went along to a meeting in Auckland/’ he said, “and we were compelled, as members of this House, to listen to a political speech made by the Governor-General. The acting-chairman pointed out that Mr. Parry should not refer to His Excellency by name. The Hon. J. A. Young: Refer to him as a distinguished gentleman. Mr. Parry: I can do that, and everyone will know whom I mean. I object to that gentleman stating at that meeting that he objected to people in this country advocating raising internal loans for the purpose of putting boys on the land. Mr. Fraser: What had ho to do with that? Mr. Parry: He continued that the burden of interest would be greater when the boys matured. I replied by interjection that it was a thousand times better for us to give boys and girls healthy conditions to-day, and let them fight the battle out in the future. I will defend that, and I de- , fend it’in this House. That was what I was rebuked for. No matter where I am, and if the same gentleman speaks and says the same thing again, 1 am going to interject again. NO POLITICAL BIAS

Mr. Coates paid a tribute to the sendees of Mr. Smith and Mr. Ansell, who, he said, had received only oOs a day travelling expenses. “As far as Mr. Smith's ability for the job is conearned/* added Mr. Coates, “be could do the work better than most members of this House, including myself. Mr. Armstrong: Then why did you displace him from the Cabinet? Mr. Howard: Why did you jump his job! ... Mr. Coates: One must expect jibes of that sort when there is a reshuffle in politics. An allegation was made by Mr. Fraser that the appointments to gon4eial committees had been of one political color. There had been no trade union secretaries on the committee to investigate female unemployment. Miss Carnaehan was a school teacher and a prominent member of the Reform Party. Airs. Wilson was the .wife of a former Reform -member of Parliament. lie did not know the political color of the third • appointee, Mrs. McDonald. Mr. Smith replied that Miss Carnachan was chosen on the rccoin©eadatioa of the National Council of