PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1931, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

THE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, July 23. Jn the Legislative Council amendments made by the House in the Unemployment Amendment Hill were agreed to. The Wanganui Church Acre Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. In moving the second reading of the Captive Birds Shooting Prohibition 'Bill Hon. Thomson said the Council had’ passed the Bill on six occasions but it had not yet been considered by the House. The Bill was read a second time. The Council rose at 3 p.m. until tomorrow.

THE HOUSE

Jn the House of Representatives the Defence Amendment Bill was introduced and read a first time. Hon. .1. G. Cobbe said it was a very simple measure. At the present time al> territorials below the rank of sergeant were transferred to the reserve when they were twenty-five. The Bill proopsed to enable them to remain in the service if they wished till 35. It was thought the mixture of older men Would have the effect of stiffening up the ft)tees. The deaths by Accident Compensation Amendment Bill (Stewart) and Bank of New Zealand Amendment Bill (Langstone) were introduced and rend a first time. The Imperial Affairs debate was resumed. The Leader of the Labour Party said when the Prime Minister had gone to the Imperial Conference definitely opposing bulk purchase, he had done an enormous disservice to the people, of this country. Bulk purchase would enabled us to guarantee minimum income to producers and minimum income to wage workers. The Leader of the Opposition discussing the forthcoming Ottawa Conference said he would like Hon. Mr Forbes to indicate if he had had the opportunity of discussing trade relations with India. He believed there was an opportunity for development of trade between New Zealand and India. He would also like to know if trade relations between the Dominions would generally be closely discussed at the Conference. It should be the politician’s task to initiate and encourage inter-Empire trade and associated with them would be the Civil Service. Any further efforts in the direction of cementing trade arrangements, such as the appointment of Trade Commissioners, should rest with the representatives of various industries. The debate was continued by a number of speakers and interrupted by the rising of the House at 10.30 p.m.