PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 23306, 16 September 1937, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

TWO SPEECHES DELIVERED

Address-In-Reply

Debate

MR HAMILTON TO BE NEXT SPEAKER

CONTINUATION EXPECTED THIS EVENING

(From Our .Parliamentary Reporter)

WELLINGTON, September 15.

Before crowded galleries and with the observance of traditional procedure the Address-in-Reply debate was opened in the House of Representatives this evening. Following a late sitting last night on the Imprest Supply Bill the House did not meet this afternoon and the arrangement proved satisfactory, inasmuch as the opening speeches in one of the main formal debates of the session were able to be broadcast at a convenient hour.

The only two speeches taken tonight were those of the mover and seconder of the motion that “a respectful address be presented to his Excellency in reply to his Excellency’s speech.” They were respectively Mr J. Thom (Lab., Thames) and Mr J. G. Barclay (Lab., Marsden). In keeping with tradition both wore full evening dress. There was nothing untoward in the opening speeches, which in some of the past sessions have been marked by a spirit of vitriolic criticism. Certainly the history of the last Government was painted in exceedingly sombre tones by Mr Thorn, but both he and Mr Barclay confined themselves mainly to the development of the Labour policy, with special reference to guaranteed prices, taxation and the general economic position of the country. The speeches of the mover and seconder lasted for an hour each and at their conclusion the House rose at 9.30 p.m.

The adjournment of the debate was moved by the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton), but when the House meets this afternoon it is more than likely that only formal business will be taken and that the Ad-dress-in-Reply debate will not be resumed until the evening sitting. The idea behind this is that the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) is anxious that Mr Hamilton, who will be the next speaker, should have as large a radio audience as the Government speakers had tonight. Mr Hamilton will probably be followed in the debate by the Minister of Education (the Hon. P. Fraser).