MINERS’ WIDOWS

Southland Times, Issue 21854, 3 November 1932, Page 6

MINERS’ WIDOWS

PENSIONS BILL COMMITTEE’S REPORT FURNISHED UNUSUAL SITUATION ARISES (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, November 2. An unusual situation arose in the House of Representatives this afternoon when members of a Select Committee objected to a report from the committee being tabled, and sought to have it referred back to the committee. After considerable discussion and the ringing of the bells for a division, the petition was referred back on the voices. The Goldfields and Mines Committee had no recommendations to make in regard to petitions asking that miners’ widows’ pensions should be restored on the grounds that a Bill had already been introduced to deal with cases of hardship. Mr J. A. Lee (L., Grey Lynn) said he regretted that the committee , had made no recommendation to the Government. The pensions should never have been taken away. Mr P. Fraser supported Mr Lee and said it was regrettable that the committee had not made a recommendation which members must have thought desirable. A splendid opportunity had been missed. Mr A. M. Samuel (C., Thames) said that everybody knew where he stood. He was not present at the committee meeting when the matter was decided, otherwise he would have taken some action. He was astounded to learn that the petitions had been dealt with and concluded that the matter was disposed of in five minutes while he was absent from the committee. He was surprised that the Labour members of the committee had not taken some action. The Leader of the Opposition said he had no recollection of the matter being raised while he was present at the committee meeting, but he had been called out for a time. Mr Savage said it was obvious the report was not that of the committee, but only a portion of it. He moved that the report be referred back to the committee. The chairman of the committee, Mr W. A. Bodkin, said he would leave the matter to the House. His recollection was that there had been a full meeting at the time, although he would accept the assurance of Mr Holland and of Mr Samuel that they were not present. Mr Samuel said the Government would be very ill-advised to use the big stick in such a matter and force the report on to the House. The Leader of the Opposition urged Mr Bodkin to accept the amendment. Mr D. S. Reid (C., Raglan), who presented the petition, said he had given no promise that he would support it. He had made it plain that he did not favour all miners’ widows receiving pensions. Mr A. J. Murdoch (C.. Marsden) said it was not the fault of Mr Reid that the report had been submitted in its present form. If there was any fault it lay with the committee. Mr H. T. Armstrong (L„ Christchurch East) said it was the duty of every member to present the point of view of his constituents, whether opposed to it or not. Mr Bodkin said the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Chalmers were the only members who were excused from the committee. A good deal of the prayer of the petition was being met by legislation. The petition was referred back.