NEARING THE END

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21549, 11 October 1941, Page 8

NEARING THE END

PARLIAMENT’S WORK

REHABILITATION MEASURE

GENERAL ELECTION QUESTION

(Times Parliamentary Reporter)

WELLINGTON, October 11

Parliament did not have a particularly busy week although a large j number of measures were dealt with, l leaving the way clear for the Rehabilitation Bill and some minor measures next week. The Social Security Amendment Bill was finally passed by the Legislative Council j after an unusually long debate for , the Council, but most of the speak- , ers spent their time saying how j pleased they were that free medical l services were to be provided. The J Hon. W. Perry (Wellington) and the Hon. T. Bloodworth (Auckland) were i not quite so well pleased, however, I the former attempting to move an j amendment to allow doctors to sue for fees, while the latter said that to call the service “free” was a mistake as the people had already paid a considerable sum for it. Mr Nash “got into the news” by giving the trading banks praise instead of what they have been used to from Labour members for many years. He said, in effect, that the oft-repeated claims that the banks should be taken over by the State could no longer be justified, and as the Leader of the Legislative Council (Mr Wilson) stated during the week that the Social Security Amendment Bill fulfilled the last of Labour’s promises it appears certain that the socialisation of the banks is to remain a “left” dream. Outspoken Whips Outspoken comment by the Junior Government Whip (Mr A. S. Richards) on the cost of living and the need for an increase to enable certain old age pensioners to enjoy reasonable conditions was seized upon by Opposition members who accused Mr Richards of attacking his own Government. The Senior Government Whip (Mr J. O’Brien) expressed a similar view to that put forward by Mr Richards, and Mr W. J. Poison (National —Stratford) hastened to sympathise with the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) on what he called “the revolt’ ’of his two Whips. Although Mr Richards denied attacking the Government, he vigorously claimed his rights to speak the truth as he saw it and was taken to task both by Mr Fraser, who called his remarks inconsiderate and injudicious though made in good faith, and by Mr Nash, who questioned the accuracy of at least one of his statements. The Minister of Social Security (Mr Parry) acknowledged the need for doing something to ease the lot of elderly single pensioners living in rooms in the main cities. The Rehabilitation Bill, which will be the main topic for discussion next week, is a most comprehensive measure covering both individuals and industries affected by the war. There has been no suggestion in the lobbies ! that its provisions do not meet with entire approval of members, but it is likely to prove a popular medium for debate. The general election question has continued to form a background to Parliamentary life and it has become somewhat less nebulous during the week. Negotiations between the two parties are developing but no decision is likely to be reached for some days.