Sudden Collapse of Address-in-Reply Debate

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 62, 16 March 1944, Page 5

Sudden Collapse of Address-in-Reply Debate

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Alarch 15. The Address-in-Reply debate came to a sudden conclusion in the House early this afternoon. The first speaker was Miss Howard (dliristchurch East) and when she resumed her seat no Opposition speaker made a move to follow and Air. Connolly replied briefly. Aliss Howard said that a machine in America had made it possible for dehydrated swintmed milk with butter to be reconverted into fresh milk and she considered New Zealand farmers could create a new export and send milk to all parts of the world instead of throwing the skimmed milk away. The legislation on domestic aid forecast iu the Speech from the Throne would be welcomed by thousands of mothers in New Zealand. She suggested that the scheme could provide openings for many women coming out of the services. The scheme might call for a Government subsidy, but that should not prevent the Government from putting it into operation. Families were needed iu New Zealand and they were bound up with domestic help and homes for the people, and where the provision of homes was concerned it appeared to her that there was something wroug with the* State Advances Department. She quoted the case of a woman living in an eight roomed house who offered to vacate it in favour of a large family if she could get a small State house. The Department refused because there was a Jong waiting list ahead of her. What was wanted, Aliss Howard said, was an ofiieer who could reorganise the Department so that tho homes could be distributed to the best advantage. Another way in which the Department was uot doing its job was iu providing homes for returned soldiers. She knew of a case where a woman living alone because lier husband was in tho Army was given a houso while a returned man with a wife and family was left to live in a small room built into a verandah. Mr. Connolly, replying to the debate, thanked those who supported himself and the seconder, lie hoped the House would now bo able to go full speed ahead with giving the people of the Dominion the legislation they were looking for at the present time. Few points had been raised iu the debate despite the wide variety of the subjects discussed and those few points had been most effectively answered by speakers on the Government side. The motion was then carried. Mr. Fraser moved an adjournment until 7.30 to-night. Mr. Holland asked for some indication of the business of the House. After three weeks—quite a reasonable time—spent on the debate were members to sit from 2.30 to 3.30 affd then adjourn? Tho Government appeared to have no, policy and no legislation. Alcmbers of tlie Opposition had come to do the-country’s business and it was the Government’s business to provide that business. Afr. Holland asked for some indication of the length of the session. Afr. Fraser said he was so delighted by the saving of the country’s time resulting from the Opposition’s refraining from putting up further speakers for the debate that he proposed to take n little time, as he was entitled to do, to consider the further business of the House. Afr. Fraser said a Bill would be introduced to-night which he felt sure would enjoy the support of all sections of the community and of the House which should be able to pass it in one sitting. It would be a Bill providing paid holidays for all workers. The House adjourned at 3.30.