SIDELIGHTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17344, 26 September 1924, Page 6

SIDELIGHTS.

; COMMENT IN THE HOUSE. 1 POT FOURRI OF POLITICS. (Special to the “ Star.'*) WELLINGTON, September 25. “I anr disappointed in the Minister of Railways.'’ declared Mr Bertram (Grey Lynn) in the House to-day in pressing the needs of Auckland in regard to railway services. “I used to look upon him at one time as the most hopeful individual on the Government benches,*' he said, “but from being an optimist he has developed into a pessimist. His attitude at one time used to be one of smiling affirmation, but now it is one of unsympathetic negation.” (Laughter.) SUNDAY MEETINGS. Mr Lysnar suggested in the House to-night that political meetings on Sundays should be prohibited, and he hoped the Government would introduce legislation to that effect. Extreme Labour people made politics tlieir calling and business. They had no other calling and they were agitators. Sunday political meetings should be stopped. He knew of the member who occupied the pupit one Sunday morning and held a political meeting in the evening. He described the Labour members as disbelievers in religion who were prepared to desecrate the Sabbath Mr Armstrong (Christchurch East) remarked that it would he all right, perhaps, if Labour spent Sunday night preaching the doctrine of Mr Lysnar, but he would he ashamed to do that von on Mondav. Mr lordan (Manukau) objected to Labour members being referred to as >f no religion, because the reference was not correct. Ho said he had once occupied a nulpit in Mr Lyusar’s elecSPOILS TO THE VANQUISHED. Members laughed unfeelinglv when Mr \Vright. Reform member for Wellington 'Suburbs, complained bitterly that the Government were giving nil the plums to their political opponents, formerly, he said, the spoils were for the victors, but now they seemed to be for the vanquished. .Indeed, Mr Masters (Stratford) had boasted that be had got more for his district than if he had been a Government supporter. Apparently the proper course was to oppose the Government to get anything done. Mr Wright had not been able to get anything for his district, not even a post office for Karori. (Laughter.) The Government gave the best things to the Opposition. “ I got one little thing,” he admitted. “ The Minister of Railways started a train five minutes earlier for me. (Laughter.) It was not an easy thing to do.” Mr Forbes: Then what are you growling about? Mr Wright: l am giving full credit for what 1 got. hut it is nothing to what Mr Masters has got. (Laughter.) “ THEY HAVE A FREEZING WORKS.” Mr Lysnar took the opportunity in the House to-day to urge the needs of Gisborne in the matter of railway communication. He said Wellington had two railway stations, while Gisborne A Labour member: But you have a freezing works. (Laughter.) Mr Wright complained about the inconvenience of the two stations in Wellington, and declared it would be ten years before the new station was completed, as there was a great deal of reclamation to be done. The existing stations were most unsatisfactory. Air Lysnar: We will take them. NATION A L PROVI DENT A COU MU LATIONS. What the National Provident Fund report describes as notable thrift accumulation is the total of over a million sterling at the credit of the fund. The income amounted to £227.141, payments by contributors accounting for £142.931 and interest £46.922. A total of £40.188 was claimed in respect of maternity allowances, and oi this amount £33.228 was for members of “ approved ” Friendly Societies and £6960 for contributors to the fund The. amount paid out in allowances on retirement and incapacity and to widows and children is steadily increasing, and shows a total of £15.934. These payments represent a comparatively minor phase of the fund’s beneficence. its main obligations being pensions, which, however, will not for some years yet bulk largely in current accounts. Last year’s State subsidy was £36,434. SCAFFOLDING ACT. Several minor amendments to th~ Scaffolding and Excavation Act. 1922, are proposed in a short measure introduced by the Hon G. J. Anderson. Section I is amended by excluding from the Act. work in connection with a tramway "done by any local authority or public body,” these eight, words being added. The definition of scaffolding is extended to include a structure or framework used or intended to be used for the support or protection of workmen “ or other persons ” engaged in any building work. The clause allowing a person charged with a breach of the Act to bring a charge against the actual offender and have it tried before his own case comes on has been deleted. Other small technical alterations have been made. A GOOD RECORD. When a severe bush fire caused extensive damage to farms in the Raetihi district, the Government granted the settlers loans to re-stock and restore their pastures. The Prime Minister remarked to-day that it was to the credit of fhe.se settlers that they had repaid every copper. “IF THE PUBLIC ONLY KNEW.” “ If the people of New Zealand onlv knew the careless way in which we vote large sums of money for public works, about which the majority of members know absolutely nothing, they would rise in their indignation and turn out any Government that supported >uch a practice.” declared the Hon J. .i. Ha nan in the House today, when dealing with the Railway report. Air Hanan added that any Minister who denied that the proper system was that obtaining in every progressive country, where there was a thorough investigation, did not recognise. his duty as n public man. He took exception to the limited nature of the reference in the case of the coming Railway Commission. Why was there to be no inquiry into the financial methods of the Railway Department, or into the question of conditions of work and remuneration? Why did the Government appear to funk dealing with these matters ? He pleaded for a wide investigation and a thorough overhaul from top to bottom of all aspects of railway management and railway administration.