Session Incidents Queries and Asides

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 405, 13 July 1928, Page 12

Session Incidents Queries and Asides

(THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, To-day. \\ T ITH the Address-in-Reply debate * * wearing thin, there are signs that the protracted argument will end today, probably with a late sitting. If it cannot be concluded to-morrow the debate will be renewed on Tuesday, and will then finish the same day. Taupo Railway Again Mr. W. D. Lysnar’s interest in the Rotorua-Taupo railway—a somewhat jealous interest, one might judge—was shown by a question to Mr. Coates yesterday. ‘ Will the Prime Minister,” asked Mr. Lysnar briefly, “take the House into his confidence, and tell the House the direction and destination of the Rotorua-Taupo railway?” Good Gates If attendances at Parliamentary sittings were measured in the terms •of the “gates” they returned, no complaints could be made this session. So far the galleries have been well lined every night. The ladies’ gallery, often attended by the wives of members and Ministers, has been exceedingly popular, though during dull debates this faithful regularity must be a strain on domestic loyalty. Yesterday afternoon a girls’ civics class was in attendance. 7(k Conrad in the House Mr. J. A. Lee attained the dignity of quoting Conrad on the House yesterday afternoon. After delving into Conrad’s sea novel, “Typhoon,” for nautical allusions, Mr. Lee delivered himself thus: “It is time to free the ship of Reform barnacles and limpets, and of a crew bereft of storm strategy.” That Pamphlet What is now known in the House as “that pamphlet,” a booklet circulated in Kngland to attract immigrants, caused the Hon. W. Nosworthy to inform Mr. F. N. Bartram that the Labour Party was quoting, for political purposes, a pamphlet not now in circulation. Mr. R. McKeen: It was published in 192b*. Keeping An Eye on Vestey's Mr. Lee Martin (Raglan) is keeping an eye on the trusts. He warned the Minister of Agriculture not to let the Union Cold Storage Company, a dairy produce concern said to be controlled by Vestey Brothers, get too strong a hold on the country. /k 7T. No Gaming Bill It is improbable that gaming legislation will come before the House of Representatives this session. Last year Sir George Hunter, member for Waipawa, introduced the Gaming Amendment Bill, providing for the introduction of the “double” totalisator, telegraphing of investments to the course, and the publication of dividends. In reply to a question, Sir George stated to-day that he did not intend to introduce his Bill again this year, as there is but little chance of getting it through in the dying hours of Parliament. Christchurch Favoured Mr. R. McKeen (Wellington South) appeared to think Christchurch was favoured in the unemployment measures recited by the Prime Minister. In reply to Mr. 1). G. Sullivan (Avon) the Prime Minister said that in the past six months 470 men had been given employment in Christchurch, 330 of them since April 1. A further 100 were now being placed on various relief works, and 100 more would be wanted for tree-planting on the Waimakariri, while the department was also preparing to take on others. Mr. R. McKeen: What are you doing in other centres? Mr. Coates: Much the same. Mr. McKeen: That means nothing. Mr. Coates replied that right through the Dominion the Government was taking on surplus men as fast as it could. Balaam’s Ass The bray of Balaam’s ass, likened by Mr. Allen Bell, last week, to the voice of a Labour interjector, had an echo in the House yesterday, when Mr. F. N. Bartram, in his best form, returned the original thrust. In his eagerness to defend Reform, he said, the member for the Bay of Islands had even deserted his beloved Winterless North, and had confirmed his faith in Reform by historical references and scriptural allusion. Unfortunately, his history was wrong and his scripture misapplied. He had shown himself less concerned with the sound made by “the ancient and hirsute animal owned by Balaam” than with the fact that it had kicked him in a tender spot. “If he reasons about it he will discover that the ass was the vehicle of divine wisdom. It turned Balaam from his wayward path, so that he repented the error of his ways.” Having thus delineated the truth about Balaam Mr. Bartram ventured the hope that Mr. Bell would go home and do likewise.

Seven Daily Hymns Seven maids with seven mops could not stem the flood of oratory poured out daily in the Lower House by the seven earnest orators usually selected each day to carry on the Address-in-Reply debate. So far some 30 speakers have participated, and the number will be nearer 40 before the clang of division bells signals that the end is nigh. Yesterday’s speakers were Messrs Bartram, Hudson. Lee. Potter. Atmore and A. Hamilton. Messrs. Bartram and Lee assailed the Government with vigour spiced with humour. Mr. Atmore, as usual, spoke with considerable vehemence, while his neighbour, Mr. Hudson, used up only 20 minutes of his hour. yr. ~r. Glen Eden Petition A petition asking the Government to grant them relief by legislation from having their properties rated on unimproved values was presented to the House by Mr. I-I. G. R. Mason (PJden) on behalf of 64 ratepayers of Glen Eden. The petitioners assert that rating on unimproved values imposes hardship on owners of properties of two or more acres, and they say their land is not suitable for subdivision.