MILLIONS A MINUTE.

Wairarapa Age, 10 October 1936, Page 5

MILLIONS A MINUTE.

CLOSING RUSH IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. APPROPRIATION BILL PASSED IN 15 MINUTES. EXPENDITURE OF £35,000,000 AUTHORISED. (By Telegraph—“ The Age” Special.) WELLINGTON, October 9. The long session of Parliament is rapidly running to an end. It was quite evident from the expressions of members on Uoth sides of the House of Representatives this afternoon that there is general agreement in favour of a quick dispatch of the remaining business. Though the previous day’s sitting had not been completed till 2.30 a.m. on Friday, members were again in their seats at 10.30 a.m. to deal with Supplementary Estimates aggregating £1,700,000. All were approved by 3.35 p.m. As an example of the brevity with which highly controversial questions can be handled, the Broadcasting service Estimates were passed almost without discussion. The Hon. A. Hamilton asked for an explanation regarding a £lO,OOO vote for B stations. Days had been spent by Parliament on this subject, but seconds sufficed to-day for the vote was passed after the Prime Minister had explained: “Just a shot in the dark. We do not know how much we will pay, but we have men on road making the valuations.” With the Estimates through, the Leader of the Opposition suggested that the Government could now give an indication of how much more business had to be done. “If we knew what work had to be done,” commented Mr. Forbes, “we could sit down and get it through. ’ ’ The Prime Minister replied that they would get down to realities on Tuesday or Wednesday—“see what we must do and get through as soon as we can.” There were a number of Bills including a few Government ones, but they were non-contentious. The Appropriation Bill came next under review. Its discussion usually takes a day, but on this occasion the mood of the House was reflected in its rapid passage in fifteen minutes. The Bill was prefaced by an assurance from the Prime Minister that it was quite formal, containing no “nigger in the wood-pile.” The first reading and the second reading were passed as quickly as the Speaker could put the question, but at the Committee stage, which seemed likely to be equally breathless, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates interjected: “Just a moment till we read it.”

The Hon. A. Hamilton held up progress for a moment while he endeavoured to calculate on his feet the amount of money which was being authorised in the Bill. He worked it out at 40 millions. A friendly argument followed among members of the Opposition, who were not quite sure whether the total was 37 or 40 millions. “Well, anyhow,” exclaimed Mr. Hamilton, “it’s a hummer! (laughter) It is over 50 millions.” Government members: “Have another shot!” Mr. Coates: “Keep going.” The Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) explained that the measure included large sums involved in the trading departments, such as the Railways and Post Office. Mr. H. 8. Kyle (Riccarton): “How much are you taking away with you!” Mr. A. F. Moncur (Rotorua): “How much is he bringing back?” (Laughter). Mr. Hamilton suggested that it was a record. He wondered if the Treasury ever remembered a higher total. The Minister of Finance: “The actual amount is something below 35 millions. It is a comparatively small sum.” Mr. W. J. Polson (Stratford): “This high finance is over my head. I have never discussed so many millions in my life. It seems to me we are entitled to a little more time to take a breather.” The Minister: “But you have just passed it all.” Mr. Polson: “Yes, we rushed pell mell through it all, but when we see it in the form of a Bill it is colossal.” Government members: “Staggering!” Mr. Polson: “I have not the command of the English language to describe it! ” Mr. A. G. Hultqujst: ‘‘Are you dumfoundedl” Mr. Polson concluded by declaring that there was nothing left hut to congratulate the Minister on a record and to wonder whether this was progress.”