PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19048, 27 June 1924, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

A DELUGE OF QUESTIONS. (By Telegraph.) (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, June 26. The House soon got into its stridf after the formalities of the opening ceremony had been completed this afternoon, and there was soon a deluge of questions. NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION. When the House assembled at about 3 o’clock, an early opportunity was taken by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Wilford) to give formal notice of his intention to move an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, which is to be moved by Mr. J. Bitchenet (Waitaki). WANGANUI PETITION, A petition signed by business men of Wanganui was presented by Mr. Veitch opposing any extenaion of gambling facilities in the Dominion. “We believe,” say the petitioners, “that the existing race days are, if anything, excessive and that dedistribution is the utmost that ought to be contemplated. We also believe that existing restrictions imposed on the Press should, in general interest, be maintained.” TAXATION ON RACING. Sir George Hunter (Waipawa) b asking the Prime Minister whether th< Government will deal with the ques lion of relieving racing clubs from Ihi present excessive taxation.

STRIKE BALLOTS. Possibly in view of the fact that the recent railway strike ballot then was a proviso stipulation that mem bers of the A.S.R.S. who did not vote would be deemed to have voted with the majority, Mr. G. Witty ( Ricca rton) asked whether steps irould be taken to see that in future strike bal lots affecting Government employees arc conducted under proper supervision and that only the votes of those whe have marked their ballot papers shall be recorded for or against a strike. DAIRY PRODUCE FREIGHTS. Mr. P. Lye (Waikato) intends to ask if, in view of the very heavy freights on dairy produce, consideration will be given to the question of a reduction. ASSISTANCE TO MOTHERS. The Leader of the Opposition will ask in the House at the first opportunity of the Minister of Health intends this session to introduce legislation to help the women of New Zealand during childbirth. PENSIONS FOR INVALIDS. Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) will want to know whether the Pensions Act will be amended so as to extend the benefits to the wivea and families of invalids. IMPERIAL AND ECONOMIC CONFERENCE. Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South) wants to know whether a copy of the proceedings of the Imperial and Economic Conferences will be made available, and whether the House will be given an oportunity for discussing the resolutions. SUMMER TIME BILL. Bowlers and sportsmen generally are very much concerned with the question of whether the Government will introduce this session a scheme of daylight saving. They arc to make suitaole representations to Mr. Massey on the suoject, but apparently Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South) has got in first. He has achieved a record for the number of occasions on which he has introduced Bills dealing with the subject of conserving daynght hours. These measures have usually gone by the name of New Zealand Meau Time Bill, but perhaps, following the precedent set by the Imperial Government during the war, Mr. Sydney has altered the title this year, for this afternoon he gave notice to move for leave to introduce a Summer Time Bill. To sporting bodies this means practically one and the same thing, an<F they will naturally hope it will see the light of day on the Statute Book.

PENSIONS. Pensions formed the subject of numerous questions asked by various members of the Opposition and Labour parties. Mr. Wilford gave notice to ask the Minister of Pensions whether he would introduce a comprehensive measure dealing with the whole of the pensions system, and providing for the extension of the pensions system to tha blind and invalided. Mr. H. Atmora (Nelson) was anxious to know whether legislation would be brought down giving an increase in the old age pensions to widows, and Mr. Fraser sought information as to whether the widows’ pensions will be increased from 7/6 to £1 5s per week, and children’s pensions from 7/6 to 10/-; such pensions to be’ paid up to eighteen years of age in the case of girls and sixteen years for boys. Mr. Fraser also asked whether it is intended to increase tho old age pensions for adults to 25/- per week. HOUSING SCHEMES.

Opportunity was taken by members of the Opposition in the House of Re-* presentatives yesterday afternoon to deliver policy speeches in the form of questions respecting the merits of the Government’s State advances and housing scheme. For instance, Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) was anxious to know whether the Minister in charge of the State Advances Department (Mr. Massey) would, in view of the house shortage, pursue the house building policy of the Department with renewed and increased activity. Numerous questions were asked by various members with respect to details of advances under the Act of last session, and if all the returns asked for under this heading are produced with promptitude someone will have to work many hours overtime.