PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1926, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION THE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, June 29. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. Tho Addross-in-Replv debate vas resumed by Hon. Col. Smith, who opposed the idea of employing a commission from .abroad to investigate Dominion problems and suggested the sending away of delegates of men already acquainted with the conditions in the Dominion. Ffe condemned the establishment of an Agricultural College as a wicked waste of money, as Lincoln College could be adapted to the purpose, and be quite efficient. Hon. Hawke who also opposed tlie new college thought the Agricultural Department should employ more instructors to give advice to farmers and that this would serve the needs of the next year or two, while the requirements of the country were definitely ascertained.

Hon. Michel said the payment of award rates to unemployed would ( illy encourage unemployment. He criticised Government interference by regulation and said it was having a pernicious effect upon the cost of living and development of the land. Hon. Scott dealt with irrigation .natters and urged tlie Government to make full investigations before spending large stims of money as watering might be harmful father than beneficial to farmers in certain localities. The Government should do everything possible to discourage the drift from the country districts to the towns.

Hon. Barr replying to suggestions for assistance of secondary industries pointed out that tho existence of tho same was not warranted and that our first dut" should ho to tlie primary industries. He would oppose any proposal for giving monetary assistance to large families in poor circumstances, which would he worse than the clo'c. and said the Government could help in other social directions. After the mover of the Address-in-Reply had replied, the motion was carried and the Council adjourned at 4.20 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday next.

THE HOUSE.'

The House met at 2.30 p.m. The debate on the Address-in-Reply was continued bv Messrs Sullivan, Bell, Armstrong, l>. Jones (Ellesmere), Reid and .T. C. Rollcston (Waitomo). Tho debate was adojurned on the motion of Mr J. R. Hamilton, and at 11 p.m. the House rose until 2.30 p.m. next day.