PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1931, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

THE COUNCIL. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 16. In the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon the new Leader, Sir James Parr, was sworn in and took his seat/, and rtvas congratulated on his appointment. I lie Distress and Replevin Amendment Bib and Judicial proceedings (regulation of reports) Bill, were rejected on divisions, the voting being 15 to 9 and 21 to 3 respectively. Land and Income Tax Amendment Act, Land and Income Tax Annual Bills, and Companies Amendment Bill were received from the House arid read a first time. The Council adjourned until to-day. THE HOUSE. NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION. In the House of Representatives the Leader of the Opposition moved:— “That the Government does not possess the confidence of the House.” He asserted that the motion created « clear cut issue. The main question was confidence or no-confideime, aim was in no way obscured by a side issue.

Referring to the Government’s proposal in the direction of compulsory i.c'i-.ion and imuntarv arbitration Ml’ Holland said the Government, was simply following th e lead of the Employers Federation and Chambers of Commerce, A section of the employers, though not all of them, had definitely stated that they preferred the strike and lock-out system to the arbitration system and at the present time the economic conditions were ail in favour of th e employers. He contended that with a falling market, the workers organisations were at a disadvantage. If effect were given to the Government’s proposals, the employers would hold full power to prevent any case from going to the Arbitration Court. Employees would consequently have no other redress than to strike and at a period when there were tens of thousands of unemployed, that was no redress at all. In conclusion, Mr Holland said there could be no return to prosperity until the 'purchasing power of the people was increased by the restoration of wages to the former standard. The Labour Party was prepared to stand or fall by this policy, in preference to the Government’s pulling down policy. Mr Forbes, replying, said the amendment to the Arbitration Act would be necessary for the rehabilitation of industry. Employers had stated they could not, in many instances, employ men unless certain restrictions were removed. He declared tlie Government was facing the position squarely, ntid was adopting the course necessary to aid the country out of its difficulties. The debate was interrupted .by.the rising of the House at 10.80 p.m. DERATE CONTINUES, WELLINGTON, October 16. The debate on H. E. Holland’s noconfidence motion was continued in the House of Representatives this morning. Mr Wilkinson moved as an amendment that the following words be added to the motion (that Government does not possess the confidence of the House): —<T) “Because of its failure to provide nr to indicate any provision for a standing reduction of interest rate oil mortgages on land, on chattel securities, and on bank ovei drafts, and for a reduction of rentals on land and buildings commensurate with the reduced earning power of the tenants thereof; (2) and further because it has not taken steps to provide for a full and open investigation into banking currency and credit systems operating in London”