N.Z. PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1933, Page 5

N.Z. PARLIAMENT

COUNCIL ADJOURNS MRS McCOMBS’S SPEECH. (Per Press Association, Opyright). WELLINGTON, Septemebr 29. Tlie Address-in-Reply debate' was concluded in the Legislative Council yesterday and the Council adjourned until October 11.

In the House of Representatives, notice was given of the intention to in. trcduec tne following bills: — Summertime Amendment (Mr Mc~een).

National Credits and Currency (Mr Mason).

Orders, in Council Confirmation (Mr Carr). ✓ Additional interest in the Adressi 11-Reply debate was aroused, when Ml’ Wright, stating that while there were some points in the Labour Amendment with which he agreed, there were others with which he could not agree, He moved to delete the body of Mr Holland’s amendment and substitute the following: “Believing that the manipulation of exchange is inimical to the public interests, this House desires a return to free exchange, uncontrolled by Government, and without compensa. t-ion to banks.” .

The Amendment was seconded by Mr Harris.

Tbe Leader of the Opposition said lie wondered if the amendment was the result of an arrangement with the Government or of the childlike innocence of the mover and seconder. The effect would be that the Government members would join Mr Wright in voting against the body of the Labour amendment, and vote against Mr Wright’s own 'amendment.

MRS McOOMBS SPEAKS. Rising to make her first speech in the House, Mrs McCombs was vigorously applauded and was given a most attentive hearing. She thanked menubers for the kind reception. they had given her and said she trusted.nothing would eventuate in her. political career that would disturb the harmonious relationship that seemed to have been established. Criticising the handling of the . unemployment- problem, - Mrs McCombs said the Government . appeared to have lapsed into a mental euthanasia. She was particularly interested in unemployment',' so far as it affected women and youths. Government had collected 759 thousand pounds annually from women for the unemployment fundrWtpdsiTig its'taxation sometimes in a manner bordering on the fantastic, yet in spite of womens contributions to the unemployment fund, women's niiemplovent coni’ inituies were still being driven to at>» sist iinomployed girls.' Many girls were being jlvivep to thtf point of d<2«ipevatiou. She expressed her pleasure that the Government had introduced •a bill providing for the raising of the marriage age, and urged the appointment of women, police. On concluding her speech Mrs McCombs was again warmly applauded and heartily congratulated by her fellow members.

The Hon. A. E. Ransom said whatever the Opposition might feel, members of the Government benches were full of hope, and that hope was fully justified. There was a decided improvement in the prices of all primary products. Butter had risen from 65s to I.los per cwtf, cheese from 47s to 55s ner cwt., lamb from 5s to 17s per bead and crossbred wool from twopence tct Old .and Bld per lb, and in addition there had been an increase in exports. The debate was interrupted by the vising of the House at 10.30 p.m. till 10.30 this morning.

TO-DAY’S SITTING. WELLINGTON, September 29. In the House of Representatives this morning, notice was given of the intention to introduce a Licensing Amendment Bill \AIr Langstone) and Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill (Leader of the Opposition). The Add ress-i n-Reply debate was continued. Air Veitch said he would like to make the position clear regarding Mr Wright’s amendment. He could honestly say there had been no collusion with the Government, and that no o ne apart from Mr Wright, Air Harris and himself had known the amendment would be moved. He contended the sequence and significance of votes on amendments would be exactly the same as if Mr Wright had waited until APr Holland’s amendment had been disposed of. Debate continuing