PROPOSED LEGISLATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 153, 30 June 1934, Page 10

PROPOSED LEGISLATION

3ILL3 READ A FIRST TIME. ( Per Press Association ). WELLINGTON, June 29. When the House met at 2.3 U p.m. the following Bills were read a first time: New' Plymouth Borough Land Exchange and Empowering Bill, Auckland Metiopolitan Milk Act Repeal Bill, Meat Export Control Amendment Bill, Bluff Harbour Board and Bluff Borough Council Empowering Amendment Bui. and Town Board Amendment Bill. Mr. W. J. Jordan (Labour, Alanukau) asked the Minister of Railways whether Cabinet had reached a decision on the recommendation of the Railways Committee, referred to the Government for most favourable consideration and arising from a petition from the Amalgamated {Society of Railway {Servants in connection with the men who were retired under section fourteen of the finance Act, 1931, and if so what deci- | sion had been reached. Hon. G« W. Forbes, in reply, said that as indicated in the reply on the ninth of November, 1932, the report had been before the Government, which had decided, after very careful consideration of all the circumstances, that it was not in a position to give effect to the prayer of the petition. Notice of their intention to introduce amendments to the Electoral Act was given by Messrs. {Savage and Clinkard. When* the House resumed at 7.3 U p.m., the lirst Imprest Supply Bill of the session was introduced, and in the ensuing debate Mr. P. Eraser (Labour, Wellington Central) raised the question of tne extension of Parliaments life, stating that the House was elected for three years, and not longer. The extension was never considered by the electors, none of the Coalition having sought that authority at the last election. The prolongation of Parliament’s term until Decemuer, 1935, trampled underfoot the fundamental spirit ot tne Constitution and flouted democracy. The reply of the Prime Minister would doubtless be that the Coalition had sought and received from the electors a blank cheque, but he added that there great differences between a blank cheque and a forged one it W2U for members to settle for themselves and their consciences, whether their action had been entirely honourable. That action had placed Parliament at a discount. If the Government’s record for the three years was a good one, it should have no fear of going to the country. Criticising the Government's alleged absence of policy, Mr. Fraser twitted Mr. Coates for declaring himself a longdistance planner and then failing to produce the semblance of a plan. When the Finance Minister had gone to Waiho to think, Mr. Fraser had breathed a deep sigh at that unusual though hopeful development, but there had been no result, and the policy of the Government was still arid and barren, one of the most important subjects in the Governor’s speech being a reference to poisons. Mr. Forbes said the life of Parliament had been extended after full and careful consideration by members of Parliament. Regarding the blank cheque that had been given for a specific purpose, the electors had been told that the crisis required drastic measures, and the life of Parlaiment had been etxended to enable the effect of the legislation introduced by the Government to be seen. It had been felt that a reasonable time should be given for the measures to work out, so that the public could judge their success or failare. That was the reason why the extension had been brought forward. He knew the Opposition would like to see things get worse for the country, but the Government’s policy was just coming to fruition. Mr. Fraser raised a point of order on the grounds that Mr. Forbes was implying motives to the Opposition, but the Speaker did not uphold the point, and Mr. Forbes said he did not think members of the Opposition desired the position of the country to become worse, but they desired an election before they got better. Mr. Forbes continued that the life of Parliament had been extended during war time, and at the last election the Government had been authorised to take what measures it thought necessary to meet the depression. It had been thought right to extend the life of Parliament, and that had been endorsed by Parliament. The term of extension had to be left to the common sense of Parliament. He thought what had been done was reasonable to meet the crisis and to enable the Government to put into operation emergency measures that would take seyeral years to work out. He thought the people of the Dominion were behind the Government in doing that. The Government had had to do many things that could not be called popular, but he believed they had been absolutely necessary, and the effect was now’ being felt and things in the Dominion were getting better. ; Mr. F. Langstone (Labour, Waimarinol attacked the Government for extending the life of Parliament and asked how New Zealand differed from the other countries of the world. The

Australian Parliament was holding an election in October, and other States and countries had held elections recently. Yet New Zealand said the crisis was so great that it could not have an election. He criticised Mr. Forbes’ visit to England for the Economic Conference, and blamed the Government for the plight of the unemployed. He said the Government’s outlook on economic problems was governed only by self interest, and that little notice was taken of the misery and poverty of a large section of the community. Mr. Wright’s Attack. Mr. R- A- Wright (Government, Wellington Suburbs; contended that had the electors known the meaning of the blank cheque, many members would not be in their seals that night. The extension of the life of Parliament had never been known to the electors, who had never dreamt of such a thing. In [the past, when a party went tu the country, it had a discussed and arl ranged programme, but at the last election the Government had no plan beyond a vague idea of putting tne country right. He believed that had the Act been contested in the Courts it would have been upheld, but had it been taken to the Privy Council it would have been a horse of another colour. What measure had the Government brought forward that required an extra year to work out? Mr. Wright added that the Government should be honest and say that they had known that they were going to be in a rocky place, and did not want an election at that time. Mr. P. Webb (Labour, Buller) referred to the relief rates of pay, especially to married men with large families. He said thia unemployment was likely to last until some definite plan was adopted. He also dealt with the gold and coal-mining industries, urged that the reductions in pay should be restored .to the gold miners, and that conditions in the coal-mining industry should be I investigated. | Mr. F. Jones (Labour, Dunedin I South) criticised the Unemployment i Board for alleged differential treatment j meted out to relief workers in different I parts of the Dominion- He said that I the board was claiming the tax w hen an I institution such as the Otago Hospital (Board provided its employees with meals, and that following such small (matters as that was responsible for the I high cost of administration. He said (that the Government had done nothing • to help youths under twenty, and as a I result crime among the youth of the j Dominion was increasing. UnemployInient was, he said, demoralising the | workers. I Mr. R. Semple said he was satisfied that the people of the Dominion I were crying for an election. If the Government had done things they said they had done, surely they would be pleased to hasten before the electors and receive, an endorsement of their actions. Mr. Semple’s Allegation lie said the Unemployment Boaid iiad granted a subsidy to tne {Southland Frozen Meat Company which, according to the {Sydney Bulletin, m 1933 paid a dividend of JSj per cent, and placed £46,000 to reserve. {Such a thing should not be allowed. Mr. W. E. samara (Labour, Napier), referred to a speech made by Admiral’ Burgess-Watson at the Nelson High School on Navy matters. He said that such speeches were to be deprecated, as they might mislead other nations. The Government should make its position perfectly clear and I disassociate itself from statements of I that kind. Mr. Barnard referred also to the Broadcasting Board's policy of barring controversial subjects. He said that the British Broadcasting Board permitted such subjects to go o'er the air. Mr. H. T. .Armstrong (Labour, Christchurch East), also dealt with relief pay, and said the further they went into the backblocks the lower became the rates. Everything . the Government was doing was driving the unemployed from the country districts into the towns. He declared that there was no precedent for the Government extending the life of Parliament, and he urged the need for raising the purchasing power of the people to restore prosperity. After midnight Messrs. Richards, Parry and Coleman carried on the debate on the same lines as the earlier speakers. SERVICES REMEMBERED DECEASED LEGISLATORS TRIBUTES FROM MEMBERS ( Per Press Association ). WELLINGTON, June 29. Soon after the House of Representatives met this afternoon it passed a series of resolutions placing on record its deep appreciation of the services to the country of Ormer legislators who had died during the Parliamcn’ary recess. Referring to the record of Sir EdjL

win Mitchelson, Hon. G. W. Forbes said he was a man of high ideals, who had taken a great interest in the public affairs of his country, and he was a man who had rendered great service during the whole of his long line. He was a man who took a tolerant view of political affairs and lived up co his ideals. Mr. M. J. Savage said that Sir E. Mitchelson was a man who knew and served New Zealand when it was a comparative wilderness, when things were not so easy of accomplishment as they were to-day, and once having given his word he could be relied upon to carry it out. He joined Mr. Forbes in paying a tribute to a man who had rendered to New Zealand wonderful service. He had left the world after making many IT.ends, and without any regrets. Hon. J. G. Coates referred to the great work of Sir E. Mitchelson in connection with the beautifying of the Ellerslie Racecourse, and said that he had been a pioneer of the West Coast and North Auckland. Ho had had great confidence in the future of New Zealand and his confidence had never been shaken. Everything he had taken up he considered from the public welfare viewpoint. Messrs. Mason, Endean, Stallworthy and Murdoch added tributes. Referring to the late Mr. Ell, Mr. Forbes said he- would be missed not only in Christchurch, but in the whole of Canterbury. He had devoted much of his attention to the improvement of scenic reserves, particularly the Summit Road to Christchurch. He had been a man who had been inclined to become impatient with those who could not muster the same enthusiasm as himself for hobbies, but he had not spared himself in anything he had undertaken. Mr. Savage referred to Mr. Ell’s efforts with regard to monetary reform, and said he had made a place for himself in the memories of his fellow citizens. Mr. W. H. Field dealt with Mr. Ell’s efforts to retain and build up the native forests. He had been untiring in his earnestness. Messrs. Howard, Sullivan, Hawke, Fraser and Kyle also spoke. Coming to the late Mr. J. C. Thornton, Mr. Forbes said he always remembered him. as a man who- took a great interest in the purity of the English language. He had been, very desirous of seeing that, no carelessness slipped into speech, and he had become embodied in the language of thG country. Mr. Savage said that in Mr. Thomson they had an example of the old progressives, and Hon. A. Hamilton referred to his efforts with regard toeducation. Mr. de la Perelle also spoke, Mr. Forbes described Sir Henry Wigram as the virtual founder of aviation in New Zealand, and spoke of the unobtrusive way in which, as a member of the Upper Rouse, he had assisted many charitable and deserving | causes. His splendid gifts to the State in the interests of aviation had been of immense value to the nation. Mr. Savage said that Sir Henry Wigram’s name would live for generations, and people of progressive idea would in. years to come realise what Sir Henry had done for aviation in the Dominion. Messrs. Sullivan, Holland and Kyle * also paid tributes. i Tributes were also paid by members to Messrs. Davey, Fletchdr and Grace, after which the House adjourned as a mark of respect, till 7.30 p.m. IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ( Per Press Association ). WELLINGTON, June 29. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. In paying a tribute to the services rendered New Zealand by the Hon. E. Mitchelson, lion. R. Masters said that Sir Edwin had endeared himself 10 all by his wonderful ability and high sense of duty and determination. He was one of New Zealand’s famous sons. Sir James Allen said that Sir E. Mitchelson’s record of public sen ice was a model for all young New Zealanders. Hon. R. Masters paid a tribute to Hon. W. Triggs, whom he described as one of New Zealand’s foremost journalists. who Lad played a big pait in promoting the welfare of the Dominion. Hon. R. Moore also spoke of the eminent qualities of the ex-councillor. The services given to aviation by Sir C. Wigrain were eulogised by several members. It was stated that he had been actuated by the noblest patriotic motives, and his name would not be severed from the progress of aviation as long as New Zealand lasted. The Councilrose at 4.21 p.m.