QUESTIONS FIRED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20843, 29 June 1939, Page 12

QUESTIONS FIRED

ROUTINE BUSINESS “LEE LETTER” MENTIONED IMPREST SUPPLY BILL TO-DAY (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Wednesday After the official opening, the House of Representatives sat for 20 minutes. The first reading of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was moved by the acting-Leader of the House, the Hon. P. Fraser, To-morrow an Imprest Supply Bill will be introduced. Mr R. M. Macfarlane (Government -—Christchurch South), who was elected this month to replace the late Mr E. J. Howard, gave notice of his intention to move that a respectful address should be tendered to the Governor-General in reply to the Speech from the Throne. The debate on this motion will begin on Friday and is likely to last several weeks. The Speaker reported that a petition against the election of Air G. W. Boswell (Government—Bay of Islands) had been withdrawn. Notice of Questions Notice was given by several Opposition members and one Independent of their intention to ask questions of the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, and other Ministers on matters chiefly concerned with important developments since the election last year. A storm of derisive laughter from the Government benches greeted a question by Mr S. G. Holland (Christchurch North). He gave notice of his intention to ask the Prime Minister whether the attention of the Government had been directed to a document that had been widely circulated throughout New Zealand by leading trades union officials and others, which was now generally known as the “Lee Letter”; and whether it was the intention of the Government to issue a reply to the attacks made in that letter on the Minister of Finance, and to the allegations against the Government of shilly-shallying, vacillation, lack of policy, drift and betrayal of the working class. Mr Holland also asked, if such a statement were made over the broadcasting service, would the author of the letter concerned be given the same right of reply?

Australian Steel Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Independent—. Egmont) announced his intention of asking Mr Savage whether the Government knew that Australian manufacturers of steel, galvanised iron, wire-netting and other necessary com- | modifies had plated an embargo upon all further orders to New Zealand merchants and to the Government itself until full assurances were forthcoming that shipments would be paid for in Australian currency. He. also asked if the Government realised the full implications of this action upon New Zealand industry. Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition—Riccarton) gave notice of motion that there should be laid upon the table a return showing the actual cost of preparing a building in Hereford Street, Christchurch, for the use of the Labour Department industrial and employment branches and the cost of demolishing the same premises and reconditioning them for the Social Security Department. Imports From France Mr J. Hargest (Opposition—Awa- j rua) moved for a return showing the amount of borrowing in the past vear [by Government departments and the I sources from which they borrowed. The lion. J. G. Cobbe (Opposition— Manawatu) gave notice of his intention in an urgent question to ask Hie Government whether it intended to modify the import restrictions as they applied t • France in view of the French threat, of retaliatory action and also because France bought, from £T.500,\900 to : 12.000,00(1 worth of New Zealand ; who! yearly. | The acting-Leader of the House, the i Uon. P. Fraser, recommended fhal, in ! I he absence of the Prime Minister, and ! as the question involved the Govern- ! incut's fiscal policy, the question ! should he placed on the order paper, i This has the effect of making the iquest nn an ordinary one and not an ■ urgent one.

Naval Ratings’ Pay Mr W. P. Endean (Opposition— Remuera) gave notice of his intention to ask the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, whether it was a fact that about two years ago or some considerable time before June 19, 1939, naval ratings of the New Zealand Navy made application for an increase in rates of pay, and if such application was made why the Government delayed in its decision and forced ratings in the country's first line -of defence to take unconstitutional action. Mr Kyle also gave notice of a question to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, whether it was the intention of the Government to set up a racing commission as promised by the Minister to the racing clubs, and, if so, when would he make a pronouncement concerning the personnel of the commission. Mr W. A. Bodkin (Opposition— Central Otago) moved for a return showing the number of trade unions that had applied for subscriptions to Hie recent internal loan and the amounts allotted to them. The House adjourned at 3.20 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. tomorrow.