A Parliamentary Notebook

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 138, 1 September 1927, Page 10

A Parliamentary Notebook

Innings for Me tubers

(THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

After quite a spirited protest against usurpation by the Government of vate members’ privileges. Oppositi 011 members in the House of Represea. tatives enjoyed a good innings at this sitting and took advantage of the op. portumty to discuss wages and the si an (Sard of living, as well as airing grievances raised in questions. . Health reports were laid on th e table in the afternoon, and in the i evening Mr. J. McCombs’s Minimum Wage Bill kept the House occupied till the adjournment at midnight. I The Legislative Council passed the Finance Bill and the Imprest Supple Bill (No. 3). 85 85 * Fire Losses The great loss to the Dominion caused by fire was referred to in the House to-day. Replying to a question, the Minister in charge of the State Fire Insurance Department, Hon. W Nosworthy, said the seriousness ot the waste by fire in the Dominion was recognised. Particulars regarding the origins and causes of all fires in the Dominion for the past three years had been supplied by the State Fire and other insurance offices to the Government Statistician, who would have them analysed and scheduled. The information would be published when available. Disappointment The irresistible fascination of a stonewall debate was reflected in the well-filled galleries which greeted tonight’s sitting of the House, presumably in anticipation of a free discussion on the Summer Time Bill. Women forgot their knitting and fancy work and girls left their novels at home, and every seat in the men’s galleries was occupied. When it was discovered that instead of turning the universe forward one hour Parliament discussed the prosaic subject of wages and production the enthusiasm in the galleries waned to indifference and finally boredom, and after the supper adjournment, only one woman remained, to hear the legislative wisdom. Rent Restriction The nest move in connection with rent restriction —if there is to bo another move —will have to be made by the Legislative Council, which possesses the power to reintroduce the measure and discuss it again at any time. The Minister for Labour says that the Lower House is not going to do anything further, and he expresses anxiety as to what is contemplated by members of the Council He assured Mr. R. McKeen in the House that the Labour Department would assist as far as possible anyone who was suffering hardship through having to pay excessive rent. Protection in this respect can be applied for under certain clauses of the old Rent Restriction Act, which virtually expired on August 1. 85 85 85 Lectures for Farmers If the wishes of Sir John Luke are met, farmers who possess crystal wireless reception sets will not have much respite from the farm, and when they tune in to 2YA in the evening* they will hear not music and song, but lecturettes on sheep, cattle, horses, how to till the soil, how to increase production, and other agricultural subjects. The Minister for Agriculture has been requested by Sir John to arrange for lecturettes of this character to be delivered aud relayed to all the big stations in New Zealand.