ON THE ESTIMATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 219, 15 September 1928, Page 7

ON THE ESTIMATES

THE HOUSE AT WORK MINISTER’S BRUSH WITH LABOURITES (“Chronicle” Special Parliamentary Service.— Copyright throughout Mew Zealand.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. Parliament to-day settled, down, to a discussion of various Departmental votes, ten of which were passed before the House rose in the afternoon. There was criticism from all parties of the alteration in the system of selling stamps, which cannot now be handled by small retailers on commission. basis. There was also a pro onged discussion over the charge made by the Labour Party that Customs duty to the extent of £9OO had been remitted from the duty on machinery imported by the Dominion newspaper, but a motion by Air Al. J. {Savage that the Customs vote be reduced by £5 as a mark of disapproval of thL remission, was defeated by 39 votes to 14. A lively interlude during the discussion of the Education estimates was provoked by Air J. A. Lee’s observation that only £1 of the £lO set apart for the purchase of New Zealand ensigns had been expended. This prompted the Hon. R. A. Wright to comment on the wonderful change in the attitude of the LabourSocialist Party in regard to patriotism. “The Sinner Who Repented” ‘‘l am sure it was most refreshing to hear Air Lee ta king about the New Zealand ensign,” said the Alinister. “What a change! What a wonderful change. I am sure we rejoice over this sinner who has repented. There was a time when he would have made the welkin ring with his protests about such an item ” * Air H. E. Holland: Was that when he *was fighting on Gallipoli? Air Lee: On y 20 shillings spent — 1 20 shillings’ worth of patriotism. The Alinister: I might tell you that 120 shillings was spent on postage. Air Lee: Sj nothing was spent on patriotism? Air Wright said that most schools already had a New Zealand ensign.