HASTE RESENTED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18547, 6 November 1934, Page 9

HASTE RESENTED

PASSAGE OF MEASURE FINISHING THE SESSION STRONG PROTESTS MADE (Per Pre?s Association.) WELLINGTON,, last night. In the House to-night, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates moved for urgency for the passing of the Appropriation Bill, and also of the Finance Bill (No. 3). This was challenged by Mr. M. J. Savage, Leader of the Opposition, who claimed that such an action was ail outrage. Members bad not bad a chance to see the bill, and did not know that it was coming down. On a division being taken, urgency was accorded the passing of the measures by 33 votes to 19. ‘Mr. Coates, in moving the second reading, reviewed the first half of the current financial year. Mr. J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn) protested against the House being asked to consider lush legislation. There was a crisis in the dairy industry, and with the passage of the Appropriation Bill the House could adjourn and wish the industry “A Merry Christmas.” He had been asked by the Auckland Returned (Soldiers’ Association whether the Prime Minister would intercede with the National War Funds Council to persuade them to set aside a larger amount of money to assist the relief of distress among returned soldiers in December. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Ind., Wanganui) said that trade conditions were still unstable, and there had been no great changes which would increase the trade in New Zealand between New Zealand and the Mother Country, or between New Zealand and other countries. He was at a loss to understand the Government’s action. THE CINEMATOGRAPH BILL Mr. A. S. Richards (Lab., Roskill) criticised the Government strongly for asking urgency for the two measures. He protested against the way the ~’-overnmenl was conducting the business of the nation. Mr. F. Langstoue (Lab., Waimunno) also wondered at the haste. .He asked when the next boat was sailing for Australia. He also wondered if party differences over the selection of the new Minister was the cause of the early adbnrnment. Mr. A. Harris (Coal., Waite na-a) said Ihe House should not rise mi l the Cinematograph Bill was pissed. He thought it is a dereliction of public duty on the part of the Government if it did. Every theatrical proprietor in New Zealand had suffered under a grave disability for many years. That till removed it. ...—- Mr. Savage endorsed the statements made by Mr. Harris. ''here was no reason on the score of time for the Government throwing the bill overboard. However, if the bill were passed by, it was the responsibility of Government, not of the House. The bill could be passed in 10 minutes. ;W: , Mr. A. Wilkinson (Ind.., Egnnut) supnorted Mr. Harris and said that aS a busy man. he protested against beingcalled to Wellington to sit oli a committee if its i ecommendations were not to He. heeded. The Minister could at least say if the bill was to be nut ti rough. “A DAMNING DOCUMENT” Mr. J. O’Brien (Lab., Westland) urged that assistance should bo given to the- - dairy farmer. He said the margin between New Zealand and Danish butter at the present time was 50s. A few years ago it was only 7s to 9s per cwt. ‘.Mi’. A. D. McLeod (Coal., Wairarapa): It will be again in three months. Mr. O’Brien said he hoped that would prove correct. Tho introduction of tho Appropriation Bill was a quick way of getting rid of the Native Commission’s report, which was a damning document. Mr. It. Semple (Lab., Wellington E.) said that Parliament had been sitting for four months. He asked the Minister to indicate the measures that had been passed that would help the many thousands of people who were looking for help. He joined in tho protest against the Ciiiematogiraph Bill being dropped and he asked the Minister to give some definite information as to how tho money voted for public works was to be spent. Mr. W. J. Jordan (Lab., Manukau) supported Mr. Lee in asking that more should be dono for returned soldiers, manv of whom were unable to securo pensions. Mr. F. Jones (Lab., Dunedin) referred to the down-grading of schools, which, he said, was causing much dissatisfaction among teachers. Returns from eight of the nine education boards showed that 179 schools were to be down-graded and that 54 teachers were to be dismissed. In all 81 teachers were occupying overtrade positions, and 21 over-grade teachers from last year had been unable to secure positions. He considered that fhe Government should make a state--leiit on what it intended to do. BILLS FINALLY PASSED Mi-. A. J. .Stallworthy (Ind., Eden) also referred to the down-grading of schools. He could not believe that the Government intended to drop the Cinematograph Bill and did not think at the present stage there was anything sinister behind the low position it occupied bn the order paper. He also drew attention to the fact that a number of motions for returns bad not been answered. After Mr. Coates had replied, the second reading was carried and tho bill was put through committee without amendment.

Further consideration was given to the Finance Bill (No. 3). In committee, Mr. Coates said that no power, was given to make the rating rebate apply to power board, hospital beard, and similar rates. Mr. StallwOlthv moved an amendment in‘the directi m of making the rebate only to those in respect of incomes less than. £3OO a year. •Mr. Coates said that the amendment would be practically impossible to 'operate.

The chairman ruled it out of order on the ground that.it would be ineffective and impracticable.

Mr; ft. A. Wright (Ind., Wellington Sub.) and Mr. H. Holland (Coal.. Christchurch N.) protested against the rebate being given to farmers, a. number of whom were very wealthy, and not to city people, many of whom were iust as hard up against it as the farmers. Both bills were read a third time and passed.