"STRAFE" FOLLOWS DULL DEBATE

Evening Star, Issue 22441, 11 September 1936, Page 6

"STRAFE" FOLLOWS DULL DEBATE

ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD SLAVEHY THREAT Tt DISCIPLINE MENSES [Fsou Odk Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 10, Four hours’ discussion of the Agrielutural Labourers’ Hill in committee, and a dull repetition of the second leading points came to a lively climax in the House to-night with the threat to name one member, some allegations about child slavery in Taranaki, and the sudden application of the closure. The -debate had gone on quietly on the short title of the Bill, Air Wilkinson (Egmont) and Mr Smith (New Plymouth) being prominent in criticism of its effect. They were answered at intervals by the , Minister of Labour (Mr Armstrong) , who finally addressed the committee in .emphatic terms, declaring that the-Opposition was only concerned with the maintenance of mortgages, not the improvement of farm workers’ conditions. - This was denied with equal emphasis, and Mr: Smith’s running comment caused Mr Howard (Chairman of Committees) to hold up the proceedings for a moment with the unusual question: “ Will’ the committee stand behind me?” There was - an affirmative chorus from ell sides, and Mr Howard, indicating Mr Smith, said: “ The hon. member has been Chairman of s Committees, and 1 say his conduct'is uh-' becoming a member of the House. If his interruption , continues,. I shalfsend for the Speaker and ask that he" be named.” Mr Armstrong continued _ his attack on Opposition critics, turning his attention to Mr Wilkinson, ana declaring that he never milked a cow in hs life and never, grew .a spud for his country. (Laughter.) “But,” added the Minister, ‘‘he exploited the farmer by the chargee he made for farmers' requirements.” 1 Mr - Broadfoot raised a point of order in a protest' against referring to members’ private affairs, but the Chairman, declining to recognise it, remarked that the Minister might have used the word exploitation in a different meaning, from, that of the member for Waitomo. The Minister vehemently continued to turn his guns on Taranaki members, declaring that this was where children, overworked on dairy farms, Went to-eleep at school. Mr that he was the chairman of the Taranaki Education Board for 10 years, and only once was there a complaint from teachers. This came from a remote part well away from Mr Wilkinson’s electorate. Wherever there has been the slightest indication that children were not able to do their work, this was immediately discreetly and privately investigated, and‘action taken to prevent it. A Labour Member: It is common. Mr Smith: ‘‘lt is not common, and any statement that there is child slavery in Taranaki is contrary to fact.” ; As for his objection to . the BUI, he considered it camouflage, "and that it would make no difference to the farm workers, while Mr Wilkinson’s objections had not been to the wage minimum, for he believed it should be higher. The Prime Minister intervened at this point when the atmosphere had become heated. He quietly moved the closure, which was accepted without comment, and every clause in the Bill was adopted almost as quickly as the chairman could put the motion. There was remarkable despatch, for ■when the committee reported the Bill as having passed that stage, the House agreed to its third reading without debate 15 minutes* from the moment when the application of the closure had enabled the short title to be adopted.