CHRISTMAS PARCELS.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19460, 27 December 1934, Page 3

CHRISTMAS PARCELS.

ALLEGATIONS IN SYDNEY. SCENE IN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY SYDNEY December T 9. Allegations that there had been unfair discrimination in the allocation of Christmas parcels, caused uproar in the Legislative Assembly to-day, while tlie Premier, Mr Stevens, was defending the 'Government’s method of distribution.

Pandemonium reigned when Mr Lang protested against the time taken by the Premier in making his reply, and Government supporters shouted, “'Put him out!”

(Mr Lee (U.A.'P., Drummoyne) asked Mr Stevens to lay upon the table of the House the basis of distribution, showing' the number of parcels given in each municipality. Mr Lee said that 'Drummoyne, which was a more intense industrial area than Ashfield, had been allocated 400 parcels, against 600 at Ashfield. Consulted Districts. The Premier said ' that the basis on which • distribution was made was determined by the Minister in charge after consultation with relief bodies in tiie districts. The department knew better than anyone else requirements in relation lo unemployment. H was impossible to allow any member to be the determining factor in any district. , The Minister made it plain yesterday that in districts like Iviirri and Gessnoek, distribution had been more liberal than in any other district, added .Air Stevens.

The Premier appealed to the Speaker for protection against the shouted interruptions of Labour members. Tiie Speaker said that the Premier must be heard, and could make his reply at whatever length he cared to. Mr Lang (heatedly): Ho won't take as long as he likes. “Put him out! Put him out!” yelled Government supporters. Mr Stevens said lie was prepared to put his trust in the Minister instead of llie member for the district. Me had no objection in informing Hie House of the quantity of parcels made available lo each district, and lie reminded Hie House that the initiation of a policy of Ibis lyPe of relief frequently received adverse criticism. f

Yells From Members. Mr Lang I hen moved Hint Mr Sicvcns.be no longer heard, amid yells from all over the Ghambor. “He is not going lo abuse Hie Opposition,” shouted 'Mr Lang. The Speaker: Mr Stevens must answer the question in his own way. Mr Uunningham (looking at Mr Lang) : Poor Pavlova is tired and sleepy lliis morning. Mr Davidson (Lab.. Lobar) asked the Premier if he could say why. in some parts of Ihc Western Division, where there were unemployed in necessitous circumstances, Ihcro hail been no distribution, while Parcels had been sent to areas where there was National representation. Mi: .Ullage* .tuwsx g.efi£6J> ai'Xt _ sajd

he could not answer for every area off hand, but there were certain areas where parcels had been distributed following arrangements made between the .Mayor and local charitable organisations. In some cases money had been granted for the purchaseof parcels locally. “Refused to See Mayor.” Mr Lang then asked the Premier if he were aware that the honorary Minister (Air Hawkins) refused to see the Mayor' of Auburn yesterday and last night refused to see a deputation and referred it 'to an official. Mr Stevens said Ihe Minister was engaged all day yesterday in the Upper House in charge of three bills, and was all the morning in consultation with him.

Me promised that if the Honorary Minister was unable lo see the deputation he would see that the deputation was -given the most courteous treatment.

During the season, added Mr Stevens, the Minister’s Department was endeavouring lo cope with Hie distribution of thousands of parcels in hundreds of .areas, and it was impossible for the Minister to discriminate in favour of any district.

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