PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17839, 11 October 1929, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

PREMIER’S RESIDENCE

ITS DISPOSAL OBJECTED TO.

MATTER TO BE RECONSIDERED. WELLINGTON, Thursday. On the understanding that the Government would reconsider the proposal to dispose of the Prime Minister’s residence and grounds at 260, Tinakori Road, a Reform amendment to divide the House on the question was withdrawn in the House to-day. The matter was raised by Mr D. Jones (Reform —Mid-Canterbury), who, during discussion on the Estimates for Public Buildings and Domains, moved that the total vote be reduced by £lO as an indication that the property should not be subdivided and sold, but should be retained for Government purposes as a reserve. Mr Jones said it would be a gTeat mistake to so dispose of a property with 3uch historical associations." He felt sure that the House would Insist that the beautiful grounds surrounding the property should be retained. The Leader of the Labour Party, Mr H. E. Holland, agreed that neither the house “ Arikitoa ” nor the grounds should be sold. If the Government were not prepared to retain the site it should be prepared to hand over the grounds to the city of Wellington. The Minister in charge of the House, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, said the building was a very old one and the Cabinet had discussed its disposal, although no definite decision had been arrived at.

VOTED AGAINST HIS PARTY.

GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. WELLINGTON, Thursday. The unusual step of voting against the Government Party, of which he is a member, was taken in the House this evening by Mr J. S. Fletcher, member for Grey Lynn, who supported an unsuccessful amendment that the estimates of the main highways account should be reduced by £lO to indicate that the expenditure of an item of £1,000,000 for the improvement, maintenance and repair of main highways should be under Parliamentary control. At various times in recent weeks Mr Fletcher has been a frank critic of the Government. This is the first occasion upon which he has voted against the Government. “ I came into Parliament pledged to see that no public money was expended without Parliamentary control,” said Mr Fletcher. ” Some of the Ministers made the same pledge, yet not one of them is willing to back up his promise. I ask them to honour their pledges."

DISCUSSION ON ESTIMATES. SLOW PROGRESS MADE. (By Telegraph—Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Friday. Slow progress was made by the House yesterday, when two clauses of the Estimates were passed. These related to public domains and main highways. The discussions will be resumed to-day.

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

EDUCATION AMENDMENT BILL. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Time hanging heavily upon its hands the Legislative Council is turning Its attention to an Education Amendment Bill, introduced by the Hon. G. M. Thomson, which is designed to “provide for Bible reading, under qualified persons, approved by the Minister, for half an hour on one or two days each week." The Bill is framed in some measure along the lines of the “Nelson System," which is so frequently quoted by both parties to the Bible reading controversy; but Sir James Allen has given notice of his intention to move in committee an amendment which, if carried, would take the Bill practically out of the hands of its author. Sir Robert Stout and the Hon. J. A. Hannan, have denounced Mr Thomson’s proposals lock, stock and barrel, and have protested strongly against the perennial introduction of such disturbing measures. By way of illustrating the beneficial iniluences of the present system of education Sir Robert Stout yesterday compared the sobriety of the members of Parliament to-day with the excesses of those of 50 years ago.