Session Incidents Queries and Asides

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 399, 6 July 1928, Page 1

Session Incidents Queries and Asides

(THE BUN’S Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, To-day. The debate on Mr. 11. E. Holland’s .Jcndment to the Address-in-Reply Copied the greater part of yestersitting of the House of Represen“fives Mr. Holland severely critithe Government on financial C ffalrs The Hon. W. Downie Stewart promptly to the attack, accusing the Labour Party of shifting its nolle y ground and of lacking evidence of financial wisdom. Two Bills were introduced and road first time, the Onerahi Water Reserve Enabling Bill and the Christchurch Hospital Amendment Bill. The debate was carried on until 11.30 m. when the House adjourned until ■> 30 p.m. to-day. "The debate on the Address-in-Reply was continued in the Legislative Council until 4.25 P-m-, /K "f? Bank Rate Inquiry In answer to Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central), the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, said yesterday that it liad been promised that the position regarding the bank rate would be investigated when the June figures were available, and this was being done. A report on the subject would be available in a few days, probably on Saturday or Monday. A Trip to England An air of mystery pervaded Parliament Buildings this morning, when all three parties held meetings. The warning notice, “Meeting, please

knock,” outside the Labour headquarters was particularly suggestive of solemn conclave; but investigation dispelled the notion that important party issues were at stake. The chief object was for each party to sort out its delegate to the Empire Parliamentary Conference in Canada in September. Ordinarily there would be shoals of candidates for such a trip, but the coming polls complicate the position. The composition of the party of four, including one Legislative Councillor, will be decided by a meeting of all parties to-morrow. Racing Taxation Another conference yesterday was the meeting of the Prime Minister and a large body of racing club representatives. The deputation, a private one, was understood to be chiefly concerned with racing taxation, and it was perhaps significant that the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, was summoned to take part in the proceedings. rft 7vi Feeling the Way As far as summertime is concerned, Mr. T. K. Sidey, whose Bill proposing that the measure become a permanent institution will appear again on July 25, appears at present to be feeling his way. He will undoubtedly expect strong opposition, particularly as some of his supporters, under the influence of farmer constituents, will have renounced their last year’s allegiance: but at present he appears disinclined to contemplate a compromise in the forms of his proposal. B rfc B*ck to the Fold Several members who were not present when the House opened are now in attendance. Mr. W. D. Lysnar, Mr. 'T* S. Glenn and Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon, the last of whom is receiving many congratulations, are among those who have appeared this week. In addition, Mr. Uru, who has been absent since the opening, and Mr. John Mason, who has been away for a day °r two, took their places to-day. * rtnimumtion ? Mr. W. A. Veitch, speaking in the Aadress-in-Reply debate, may have felt as though he were supplying a Prospective election opponent with ammunition. Sitting in a privileged Place among those listening to the debate was Mr. W. J. Rogers, Wanganui’s f-abour Mayor, who is expected to oppose Mr. Veitch at the next election.

Stolen Thunder Mr. T. D. Burnett (Temuka), the Member who, in his own words, hails from the land of misty gorges, otherwise the lofty foothills of the Southern , must have felt to-day as if his Reformer, Mr. A. M. Samuel lOhinemuri), had stolen some of his uiunder. At any rate, Mr. Burnett asked a question regarding licensing lin * arm tractors, on almost the same nos as one put by Mr. Samuel only few moments before. Both memt rs Pointed out that farmers owning actors for private use were liable to y penalised under present legislation. Z? addition. Mr. Burnett asked if, in payment of licences, a distinction could th ma s* e between motor trucks feeding railways, and motor trucks actually ompeting with the railways.

°dds and Ends' In the House to-day Mr. J. A. Lee !P Ve notice of his intention to introuce the Compulsory Military Service Hill. M r . H. T. Armstrong thi lr T> Stchurch E ast) gave notice to ask T .\? st;ma ster-General if it were in<*rrT • to P rov ide a post office for the 5? WI ?F district of Waltham (Christ--1 arC and Messrs. Lee Martin (Ragand J C. Rolleston (Waitomo) questions about fertilisers, the Pointing out that phosphate was j n - N P er fb London and Brisbane than and asking if local Profitl a Si. urers vvere not making larger * ‘kan they were entitled to.