EIGHT SPEECHES IN HOUSE

Southland Times, Issue 23308, 18 September 1937, Page 8

EIGHT SPEECHES IN HOUSE

Debate On Address In Reply

BACK-BENCHERS ON FLOOR

COMPARATIVELY LITTLE FRESH ARGUMENT

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 17.

Sins of omission and commission by both the present Government and its predecessor were paraded at length in the House of Representatives today when the full sitting was devoted to the continuation of the Address-in-Reply debate. Eight speeches were delivered, evenly divided between Government and Opposition members, but comparatively little fresh argument was advanced by either side. The Government contributors to the debate today were exclusively backbenchers, who followed chiefly along the lines laid down by the mover and seconder, Mr J. Thom (Lab., Thames) and Mr J. G, Barclay (Lab., Marsden), and developed last night by the Minister of Education (the Hon. P. Fraser). Nor did the Opposition put forward its strongest debaters, the only noted political personality to take part being the former Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) However, Mr W. P. Endean (Nat., Parnell) made a breezy speech in which he covered a variety of topics, while a particularly solid speech was made by Mr J. Hargest (Nat., Awarua). From the Government side Mr A. F. Moncur (Lab., Rotorua) made a reasoned defence of the guaranteed price scheme. COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING Practically the only new note struck

during the day was concerned with the Opposition’s criticism of the commercial broadcasting service and there are indications that argument on this point may be developed further as the debate proceeds. Another feature of interest was contained in remarks by Mr Forbes on the benefits likely to accrue to New Zealand from the visits of her political leaders overseas. Mr Forbes took an early opportunity of dissociating himself from criticism of the amount expended on ministerial delegations abroad during the recess. After the day’s proceedings the House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. for the customary week-end recess.