AN EYE ON PARLIAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12748, 18 September 1919, Page 6

AN EYE ON PARLIAMENT.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY. PARTIES AND POLITICS. (Special to the “Star.”) AN ABSENCE OF EXPERTS. WELLINGTON. September 18. After the eulogies bestowed upon the Industries’ Committee by most members the criticism of Mr R. M’Callum must have been quit© refreshing. The report was a sort, of omnium gatherum he said. The committee had dealt with a. number of subjects with no expert knowledge, and the report reminded him of the opinion of a man who had read a dictionary. It was very interesting but very disconnected. Re acknowledged the industry of the committee, but the members were not experts, and it seemed to him that expert evidence had not received the attention it should have. STATE COLLIERS. RAILWAYS AND STRIKES. Making n. reply to requests for the purchase of State colliers for the railways the Hon W. H. Herrics (ex-Min-ister of Railways), said- the matter was earnestly considered. They recognised that coal steamers would be a necessity in the future for the railways, but it was impossible to contemplate the matter while the shortage of shipping obtained and the high prices for ships ruled, and the question of buying a coal mine was a more difficult proposition. If the railways had a coal none and were obtaining coal when there was a shortage, some controller would probably say that they ought to give some of it to the freezing works or other interests. Nor did Mr Herries think that superannuation would stop strikes. The older men with a larg-i sum in the Fund would consider twice before striking, but the young men might even he more inclined to leave, because they could draw a certain sum and enter another industry. They had not found that superannuation deterred young men in the railways from leaving to enter other employment. In fact the possession of a sum of money helped them to start in other industries, HELPLESS LIBERALS. It is usual for Labour members to argue that tlm Liberal members of the National Cabinet were responsible equally with the Reform members fur the alleged failure of the National Government. Mr John Payne has departed from the orthodox views of Lahoin several times this session. Yesterday he made a further serious departure. He was blaming the Government for something or other Dt Thacker, who showed signs of interest asked: Which Government are you referrino- to? Mr Payne answered that it was the National Government, hut it was the Reform Government all the time. “We all know,” he said, “ tha£ the Liberals were helpless under the war conditions.” THE QUESTION OF SUPERANNUATION. Grants to increase the superannuation of retired civil servants were strongly favoured by several members, especially those from Christchurch. The official reply was that it was doubtful if there would be time to consider the matter this session. The Hon W. H Herries said the Government was not at all nnsmypathetic, but with a short session it was very doubtful if there would be time, for the question arose as to whether they were to deal with civil servants alone. Thero_ were other people, widows with annuities, suffering more than civil servants, and if they were to give something out of the Consolidated Fund, should they not consider other people? It was quite impossible tu take more from the Superannuation Fund, and the money required would be a fairly large sum. Dr'Thacker: About £50,000. Mr Herries: More than that, 1 think. Mr Witty: The whole question wants revision. Mr Herries said the feeling of the Government was that the new Parliament with a mandate from the people was the proper body to revise the whole question of pensions and superannuation and the general well being of the people. Dr Thacker: Well, why don’t yon make a lead and you will probably get back on that subject. Mr Herries: It is quite possible that it may be in the programme. The Government, ho continued, was not unsympathetic, but it did not want to raise false hopes of legislation which it might not have time to deal with.