FROM THE GALLERY.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19315, 23 July 1934, Page 9

FROM THE GALLERY.

WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

MORE LEGISLATION THIS WEEK.

RESERVE BANK ACT AMENDMENT.

(Times Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Sunday,

Having finished the discussion on the report of the Customs Tariff Commission and the Ministerial statement that accompanied the Introduction of the resolutions, the House of Repre,sentatlves 'completed last week another stage In the revision of New Zealand’s fiscal policy, The next step will be the 'lntroduction of the Customs Amendment Bill giving legislative effect to the resolutions. This measure is expected to make Its appearanoe in about three weeks’ time. Last week’s tariff debate ran into three sitting days, the remainder of the time being occupied with the despatch of minor business and a discussion on unemployment. More legislation is due for introduction this week. There will be a Finance Bill which is designed to remove certain anomalies in the Reserve ißank of New Zealand Act passed last year. Another measure will be a Mining Amendment Bill, a comprehensive Bill which will bring up-to-date the existing mining law. Although the Bill will be substantially the same as the original measure introduced late last session and not .proceeded with, it differs from Its .predecessor in so far as several amendments have been inserted in the light of further experience gained in the meantime. Debate on Unemployment. The question of unemployment was discussed for the second time this session on Friday when a debate'developed on the introductory stage of the Unemployment Amendment Bill, sponsored by Mr D. G. Sullivan (Labour—Avon). This Bill aims at the abolition of the Unemployment .Board and the payment of .sustenance In accordance with the rates provided for in the original unemployment legislation of 1930. . Mr Sullivan, who is Mayor of Christchurch, had intended to move the adjournment of the House in order to allow a discussion on the unemployment situation, but he achieved the same object without resorting to that course. Although the Minister of Employment, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, did not take his place in the House until the late afternoon, he made a vigorous reply 'to the criticism that had been directed at the administration of the Unemployment Board. Mr Hamilton explained that if sustenance allowances on .the scale set out in the original enactment, £2 14s 6d .per week to a married man with four children — were to be paid the 'cost would bo about £9,000,000 a year. Immediately the new -sustenance rates were applied the registration figures would go up by about 20 per cent. 111-Health of Minister. Owing to ill-health the Minister of Employment, the Hon. Adam Hamilton. Is temporarily withdrawing from Ministerial activities, but is not resigning from .Cabinet—a development suggested at one stage last week as being possible. During Mr Hamilton’s absence his portfolios will be distributed among his colleagues in Cabinet. Following a meeting of 'Cabinet. on Saturday morning, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, explained that Mr Hamilton had again consulted with his medical advisers and as a result of this further consultation thought he would be able to resume his duties after a .period of complete rest.

Mr Hamilton had expressed a wish to be relieved of his portfolios for a month or two, and in fhe meantime the Government did not intend to appoint a new Minister or add to the strength of the Ministry. No decision had been reached yet on the temporary arrangement of .portfolios, ft, was remarked by iMr Forbes that the country had run along all right while the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon. R. Masters, and himself were away Home last year at the World Economic Conference and the Government thought it could carry on efficiently while Mr' Hamilton was recuperating. Mr Hamilton's ill-health emphasises the heavy load of responsibility being borne by Ministers in these difficult days of economic rehabilitation. The Ministry comprises only ten members which is regarded in many quarters ns being two below Hie number required for reasonable efficiency. Because of his responsibility as Minister of Employment, Mr Hamilton lias been one of the hardest-worked Ministers. He took office when Ihe Coalition Ministry was formed in September, 1931, being then Minister of Labour and Postmaster-General, in addition to which be controlled various minor departments. To this responsibility he added the portfolio of Employment temporarily when Hie Minister of Customs, Ihe. R(. lion. .1. G. Coates, left for the Ottawa Economic Conference in June, 1932. The portfolio was given permanently to Mr Hamilton on Mr Coates’ return, so that, iMr Hamilton has had the handling of it for over Iwo’years—the period when the unemployment reached its greatest magnitude'.