PARLIAMENT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 88, 18 August 1923, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

THE DEI.'ARTSm OF MARINE. ALLEGE!/ PO&FriCAL INFLUENCE P'ir "Press Association. Wellington, August 17. The H,t)use of Representatives met at 5.30 p.m. The Minister for Marine (the Hon. G. J- Anderson) moved to lay the annual report of the Department of Marl/ae 011 the table. W'r P. Fraser (Wellington Central) attention to the fact that the Recommendations of the commission 'made four years ago, ana afterwards gazetted as regulations governing cargo working gear at ports, had , not been put into operation. This meant that waterside workers were subject to grave danger \ through the use of untested and | faulty gear. Mr Fraser stressed the j tioed for adequate life-saving apparatus at the principal (if not all) j ports for use in case of wrecks.

Mr R. Masters (Stratford) called attention to the fact that the Government member on the Tauranga Harbor Board had been displaced following shortly after his appearance as chairman of Sir Joseph Ward's committee at the Tauranga Parliamentary by-election. This and other appointments were a discredit to the Government and he (Mr Masters) regretted such an introduction of political patronage. Mr H. Atmore (Nelson) said there never had been a political party in New Zealand that carried the practice of conferring "spoils to the victors" to sunjh a fine point as the Reform Party had done. Mr Alian Bell "(Bay of Islands) said tvo appointments to the Harbor F„<oard in his district were made in 'Accordance with the recommendations from the local people, which <Vere submitted through him as the Parliamentary representative. When the appointments were announced the disappointed canditdates raised an uproar, but he (Mr Bell) pointed out that political influence did *pt affect the appointments, as the two men appointed were both active opponents of his (Mr Bell's) candidature at the general election. Other speakers protested that 'Government representation on harboads was an anachronism, Mr W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) adding a suggestion that appointments in such casese were becoming just a family matter among Government supporters and that the Reform Party was rapidly evolving a Tarn-1 many system. - 1

The Minister, replying, said seven inspectors, two of whom were watersiders, had been appointed to safeguard the safety of waterside workers. Instructions had been given for the provision of life-saving apparatus at the four main ports and also a patent rocket line and guns at the minor ports. He would see that ambulance outfits, which harbor boards should provide, were kept in proper order. Referring to appointments' to harbor boards, the Minister challenged anyone to show that any appointment had been made by the Liberal Party outside of its own supporters. The present Government had taken appointments in the public service out of its own hands, so that no charge of political influence might He against it. As far as appointments to local bodies were concerned, Mr Anderson said he never made any enquiries as to the political views of appointees. So far as Tauranga was concerned, the Minister said ho did not know that the displaced member was connected with the Liberal campaign at the bye-election. He pointed out, however, that while Sir "William Herries was still alive representations had been made for a change in the Government representation. The Government had been charged with adopting Tammany practice, but Tammanyism was not known to the Reform Party and he defied anyone to point a finger at the party in this connection.

The report was tabled after two hours' discussion.

THE ESTIMATES, The War Expenses Account (£534, 863) was taken. In reply to Mr Veiteh, the Minister said he could not say when this account would be closed. There were still some transport accounts outstanding. The vote was passed. The Customs Department (£lll, 969) gave Mr Holland an opportunity to raise the question of the cen4' sorship of literature. He contended the censorship should be abolished, and the common law be allowed to take its course. The Hon. W. D. Stewart said he had promised to look into this question, and only pressure of work had prevented him doing so. He hoped to set up a tribunal which would inspire such confidence as would satisfy everybody. The vote was passed.

The Pensions Department (£lO4, 846) was next discussed. Mr Wilford moved that the total vote be reduced by £SOO as an indication that pensions should be provided for the blind. The amendment was not debated, and on a division it was lost by 35 votes to 31. The vote was passed . The Mines Department (£35,951} and the Marine Department (£ll9, 132) were passed.

Wellington, August IS. After the Telegraph Office closed, the vote for the Labor Department (£37,768) was discussed. Mr Monteith complained that the workers were prosecuted for breaches of the award with greater ardour than was so in the case of employers. In reply, the Hon. G. 3. Anderson denied that this was so. The instructions were that the strictest impartiality must be observed, and he was confident the instructions were carried out. Mr Monteith moved a reduction of £5 in the vote as an indication 'of dissatisfaction with the administration of the Department. This was rejected by 86 votes to 32.

Mr McKeen urged that the Department should take action to secure rent restrictions in cases where they were deemed justified. He also con tended that the assessors at the Conciliation Council proceedings should receive adequate expenses. The Minister replied that it had been found that when cases were heard, say, in Auckland, the assesors were brought from Dunedin, and so the expenses were curtailed. Now that the Dominion Council was in being, assessors were allowed expenses. [

The vote for the Lands and Survey Department (£183,386) and the Department of Agriculture (£244,858) passed unchallenged. On the vote for the Tourist Department (£66,678) Mr J. C. Rolleston urged the development of accom- , modation at Waitomo Caves. A larger j sum should be devoted to Improve facilities to reach the Caves, and to advertise them overseas, as they were a valuable attraction for tourists. Mr Wilford supported this claim, and the Prime Minister agreed the Caves merited great expenditure when finance permitted, especially in the matter of providing electric light. Mr Langstone put in a word for Tongariro National Park, which required hostel accommodation. The people of New Zealand, especially the -children, should be given facilities for seeing their own country's scenic beauties. \jy Mr Massey said an offer had been made to him by a party ready to. find half the cost of providing & hostel at Waimarino. He did not know whether the Government could at present find the money for such a purpose, but he considered the offer was an extremely good 6ne, and the hostel must come' before long. Mr Field said a private subscription had already been raised, which. with the Government subsidy would make a total of £IO,OOO for the erection of a hostel. He'alio beaded " !

for the protection of the native bush. Mr Girling mentioned the need of conserving the bush ia the bays of Pelorous and Queen Charlotte Sounds. Mr Masters asked for the reinstatement of the , Government grant to the Egmont National Park Board. Mr Fraser considered the member for the district should be a member of the Tongariro Park Board. He was left off on account of ins political colour. . • *': After other members had stressed the claims of scenic resorts from the Bay of Islands to the Bluff to financial assistance, the Minister said the lack of funds had been the department's trouble. He was now assured funds would be provided for electric light at Waitomo. Caves. The Tongariro Board was constituted a year ago, and then the member did not desire to be a member. There is no intention to slight the present member, whom it might still be possible to make a member. Hostel accommodation would j be available at Waimarino lor tourist traffic next Christmas. The vote passed unaltered. On the vote for the Valuation Department (£46,555), replying to Mr Masters, the Hon. W. Nosworthy said additional valuers had been appointed as fast as it was found necessary to cope with tne Fork. The vote was passed. The Electoral Department (£9021), in reply to Mr Wilford, Mr Massey said his Electoral Bill could not be passed this session, but the House would be given an opportunity of putting it On the Statute Book next session. The Bill would provide for compulsory registration, not compulsory voting. The voter's would be three months' residence. The Bill would not be a party measure.

Mr Fraser moved a reduction of the vote by £5 as an indication that the electoral system should be based on proportional representation.

Mr Wilford said he would vote for the amendment with the reservation that the country quoto be retained. The amendment was lost by 37 to 29. ./•':.-. The vote then passed, jj The Police Department (£399,118). The Minister gave an assurance that constables and detectives would be treated similarly to otherpublic servants in the matter of travelling expenses. The vote passed. A number of accounts chargable on the Consolidated Fund were passed without reductions, leajrtas only Railways and Education still to be dealt with. Progress was then reported and the House adjourned at 6.25 a.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Monday.