POLITICAL JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1928, Page 8

POLITICAL JOTTINGS

STATE MINE STOPPAGES. Replying to the Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland) in the House of Representatives to-dav, the Prime Minister (Mr Coates) said he did not think any good purpose could be served by setting up a Commission to enquire into short time worked in the State mine at Greymouth. Three days had recently been lost, two 'because the bar could not be worked owing to bad weather, and one because the whole of the men stopped work on account of two men being put off. It was tlie recognised practice that when men supplied dirty coal they were put down at the bottom of the list, but on this occasion the whole show stopped. Mr Holland said that the practice was sometimes used as a species of victimisation. The Prime Minister said he could scarcely credit that, hut he would enquire into the suggestion. At all events the men should he very careful liefore they adopted the extreme step of stopping work, otherwise one of these days someone might grow tired of that sort of thing and say: “There is too much coal on the market, and we will close down.”

ELECTION DAY? Various attempts made during the past fortnight to “draw” the Prime Minister on the subject of the date of tne General Election have not succeeded. To-day Sir Joseph Ward expressed a hope that the elections would not clash with the Christchurch Show. M,r Coates, with a twinkle in his eye, solemnly remarked that prohahl the solution of the problem would he to hold the election before the Show. This suggestion was received with ores of “Hear hear,” considerable laughter, and a buzz of interjections. One hon. member called out, “Have it next »eek,” and another member, “Wha f about postponing the races.” i .Mr Coates: We must have the races I think. (Laughter. ) The Prime Minister asked Sir Joseph Ward what was the date of the Sliotv. Sir Joseph seemed uncertain about tlm date and Mr Coates, after a pause, said: “1 can assure the right lion, gentleman of this—that it will be either before the Show or afterwards.” (General hfughter.’)

The managers appointed on helm It of the House of Representatives met the managers of the Legislative Council in regard to the disagreement about the membership of the Canterbury Provincial Buildings Board, and they reported to the House of Represeutatices to-night that they bad come to an agreement that Canterbury and Westland members of the Legislative Council be added to the Board. Mr H. E. Holland Leader of the Opposition, said this appeared to be a peculiar development, but he did not know that the alteration mattered very much. Mr Howard, one of the managers from the House oi Representatives, said he : was influenced in agreeing to the recommendation as Sir R. Heaton Rhodes wished to he on the Board, because his father bad sat ns a member in the old Provincial Chamber. Mr Howard said the proposal; would add seven members to the Board. The House agreed to adopt the iepori of its managers.