THE SESSION

Southland Times, Issue 21195, 23 September 1930, Page 4

THE SESSION

WEEK IN PARLIAMENT. VERY LITTLE PROGRESS MADE. ESTIMATES MEET OPPOSITION. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington', September 22. . The hope expressed by the acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) that the present session of Parliament would conclude about the ..third or fourth of next inonth does not appear likely to be realized, if the work done by the House during the past week can be taken as an indication. Members who are largely concerned with farming interests are getting anxious to return to their homes, but the Labour members, who in the main confine their interests to politics, are showing a decided tendency to-keep the session . going as long as possible. They do not appear to have any very definite object in view, unless it is a bulky Hansard for the edification of their constituents. The sum of the week's work is not an imposing one, the Estimates which have been before the House not having moved forward very rapidly. The only Minister who can claim to have received sanction for the expenditure of his Department with "anything like celerity is the Minister of Education (the Hon. H. Atmore), and he was showered with complimenatry remarks during practically the whole period he occupied the Ministerial chair at the table of the House. His action in having spent an unusually large amount of money in his own electorate was questioned by Mr R. A. Wright (Reform, Wellington Suburbs), but the other members who spoke vied w'ith one another to tell the Minister how well he had done. Mr Adam Hamilton (Reform, Wallace) chided Mr Atmore for his neglect of certain portions of Southland, but' he did it in a friendly spirit and Mr Atmore indicated that he would do more for Southland in the future. Postmaster-General Twitted. The opinion of the House on the Hon. J. B. Donald’s expressions regarding business methods was made known as soon as he took his place to pilot the Marine Department’s Estimates through committee. Members were not slow to take advantage of the fact that the annual report of the department was not before them, and Mr Donald had to listen to sarcastic references to business methods as outlined by him in the past. • The fact that Mr Donald has said that he is a business man and not a politician has not impressed members, and one went as far as to say that if Mr Donald’s methods were those of a business man he hoped that the House would be saved from business men. It has been freely rumoured that Mr Donald will meet with further opposition when the Post and Telegraph Department’s Estimates are being considered, but it is unlikely that the matter will be carried much further.

Wednesday proved a very dull day, the Nurses and Midwives Registration Amendment Bill occupying the greater part of the sitting, with the result that a great deal of discussion took place on matters, that had been previously dealt with. Railways were the chief topic under discussion on Thursday when the annual report of the department and the estimates were dealt with, and again on Friday, when the estimates were continued.

Unemployment Bill Again. The most important item of Parliamentary news during the week was the likelihood of the Legislative Council throwing out the Unemployment Bill, which was debated so keenly and bitterly through every stage in the Lower House. Members of the House of Representatives are evidently worried about the face of the Bill, and a good deal of lobbying is going on in its interests. The fact that the Bill involves appropriation prevents the Council from amending it, and the only way in which it can show its disapproval is. by throwing it out. As far as the House of Representatives is concerned this week does not appear likely to produce much progress. The estimates still to be disposed of will probably occupy the greater part of the week unless Mr Ransom decides to take them into the small hours of the morning. There has been openly expressed dissatisfaction about the progress the session is making, and some members have complained that Mr Ransom is too easy on the members and should keep them at work until they agree to pass the estimates before the House. The Nurses and Midwives Registration Amendment Bill will probably be committed on Tuesday, but in view of the discussion that has already taken place on it is doubtful if the committal, stage will last very long. Apart from that there are an additional 28 Bills and several local Bilks still on the order paper, and a large number of departmental reports and papers for consideration. An Impressive Service. Although not actually Parliamentary work, the unveiling of the beautiful memorial on Point Halswell to the late Rt, Hon. W. F. Massey was attended by practically all the members of both Houses. The service was a most impressive one and the addresses which were given gave a clear indication of-the love and respect still felt for the dead statesman both in the. Dominion and abroad. The memorial is of unusual form, but its beautiful white marble and green sward, with the blue waters of the harbour immediately below, make a picture of unusual charm. WHAT MEMBEJRS SAY (From Our Parliamentarj’ Reporter.) Wellington, September 22. The past week has been one of the dullest of the session as far as bright sayings from the benches were concerned, but occasional flashes of wit and wisdom were heard. Mr R. Semple (Labour, Wellington East):: The member for Thames is as devoid of political principles as a frog is of feathers. Mr A. M. Samuel (Reform, Thames'?: The time has long passed when we can view the railways through parochial spectacles. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Leader of the Opposition): The railways should be commercialized and put under a directorate. Mr E. J. Howard (Labour, Christchurch South) : It is want of wisdom that is dragging the railways to bankruptcy. Mr D. McDougall (United, Mataura): The position of the railways to-day is largely due to the actions of the Reform Party. | Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labour Party) : Parliament is a battle-ground of ideas. Mr H. G, Dickie (Reform, Patea) : (The Railways Statement breathes nothing - but despair. j Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Independent,, l Egmont) : The Tailways are a running sore in the country’s finance.