PARLIAMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18009, 14 July 1928, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

a*/ ’i'oJe^rapti— f - WELLINGTON, July 13. The House met at 2.80 p.rn. NOTICE TO INTRODUCE. Mr it. P. Hudson (Moiucka) gave notice of intention to move an amendment to ihe Religious Exercises in Schools Bill. Mr P. Fraser (Wellington) gavenotice- of intention to introduce a Right to Murk Bill. T.B. COMMISSION. Replying to Mr W. S. Glenn (Rangitikeij, the Minister of Health (iK-a. J. A. Young) said he had not yet received the report of a Committee set up to inquire into the question of tuberculosis. When the report came to hand lie would peruse it and in due course it would probably be laid before the House. CABLE and wireless. Replying to Mr P. Fraser, who asked; Whether New Zealand, as a member of the Pacific Cable Board, was represented at the recent' Imperial Wireless and’ Cable Conference, whether New Zealand’s representative acted under instructions .from Cabinet; whether the Government supports the reported recommendations of the Conference ; whether there is danger that the Pacific Cable Board will be replaced by a private commercial concern ; whether, in the event of the rumoured merger between the wireless and cable interests taking place, provision will be made for safeguarding the interests of the general public, and will the Governments of the various British Dominions and the British Parliament have adequate control of the new commercial concern, The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) said the question of Imperial communications and amalgamation of services, or possibly an arrangement between the cable and wireless services, has been under consideration at a conference in London, at which the various Governments concerned were represented. The report of tlie Conference had only reached him this week, and he had had information to-day that further information was on the way. Mr Coates said he had not yet studied the report, and that he would not be able to do so until final ihfprmation was received from Great Britain. When he Lad full information he would make a statement on the matter.

BIBLE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS. Mr Tf Atmore (Nelson) gave notice that he intends to ask the Minister of Education whether, in any Education Amendment Act which may he introduced, he .will embody the following clause: “Notwithstanding anything to the co&iiary in the nrincipal Act, or in any direction given by a Board, if accredited persons approved by the Minister desire to give moral and religious instruction of a voluntary nature in school, buildings, the ordinary opening hour of the school shall be postponed, and tlie ordinary closing hour in the afternoon shall be advanced on one day in each week, as agreed upon, for not more than half an hour, in order to enable instruction to be conveniently given; provided, no alteration shall be made in the opening or closing hours wliicn would reduce the number of hours to be devoted on that day' to secular instruction to less than the minimum of four hours fixed fty the principal Act.”

Mr Atmore explained that this proposal had been approved by the Education Committee which last year had considered the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill.

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. The debate on the Address-in-Repiy was resumed by Mr J. R. Hamilton (Awarua), who said the House and country were indebted to Mr C. E. McMillan, member for Tauranga, for the part lie had played in securing a reduction in prices of fertilisers. It was pleasant to know that the economic position of the Dominion had greatly improved. The Opposition had been denouncing the Government because of the' recent depression, but now the tide was turned they were not prepared to give the Government any credit. Much of the land in New Zealand had been bought at too high a price to make recent prices for produce payable. Now that prices of produce had. risen, land-owners were in a better position. The Opposition was very anxious about the farmer to-day, because it was election yeai, but what had they done to assist farmers? He agreed with the dairy control policy, and he always gave the Labour Party credit for their support of that policy. The absence of complete dairy control was costing the farmers of New Zealand a penny per pound on the whole of their da?.y p reduce. The speech closed the debate on the amendment moved by the Lender of the Opposition, and at 3.47 a division was taken, when the amendment was defeated by 48 to 14. The Labour Party and Mr Atmore alone voted for the amendment.

The debate on the main question was carried on by Mr T. Forsyth (Wellington East), who gave general approval t'o the Government's policy. Mr It. W. McKeen criticised what he called the “sheer hypocrisy” of the National Party, who throughout tin, country had denounced the Government, but when they had an , opportunity of proving the sincerity of their criticism they walked into the divison lobby and voted for the Government.

The House adjourned at 5.30 p m. When the House resumed at 7.30, the debate was continued by the Hon. R. A. Wright, who said it was correct that the Government had raised the rate of interest on workers’ loans, but it was not true that it was done at the instigation of the Banks. When they raised five million for lending to settlers and others, they had to pay 6£ per cent, interest, hnd it would not be sound business to lend money out at a lower rate. To increase the rate of interest was the only alternative. The Government money was cheaper than au* r other money, so that it was absurd to say that the rise was in any way influenced by the Banks. The Labour Party blamed the Government because there was a deficit in the railway returns, but such deficits were not peculiar to New Zealand.

Mr H. E. Holland: “The charge is that deficits are not shown in the accounts in such a way that they could be traced.”

Mr Coates: “That is imagination, not a charge.” Continuing, Mr Wright commented on the allegedly false statements issued by the United Party. The Government was not responsible for unemployment. The problem was world-wide, and no one in the world was able to solve it. The Government was not justified in paying award rates on relief work, otherwise men would never seek work elsewhere.

Mr Waite, mover of the motion, briefly replied. A motion that a respeeffui address be presented to His Excellency was adopted, without division, ami the House rose at 9.30 p.m. till 2.30 on Tuesday.