SESSION INCIDENTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 430, 11 August 1928, Page 5

SESSION INCIDENTS

Queries and Asides j ! 4 4—|

(THE SUN’S Pari WELLINGTON, Friday. Though scheduled to begin at 2.30, the opening of the Budget debate this r afternoon was delayed until after 4 - o’clock by the unexpected discussion i on the Christchurch Hospital Amend- [) ment Bill, in which Christchurch members, including Labour men. took ops posite sides on the question of whether or not the Christchurch Hospital is on a healthy site. j The Christ’s College (Canterbury) Bill was read the third time and ’ passed. On the motion of the Hon. - F. J. Rolleston the Maintenance Orx ders (Facilities Enforcement) Bill was read the first time. The War Memorial Museum Maintenance Bill was 3 read the first time. i After reports from committees had been discussed for the greater part of the afternoon the debate on the Budget was begun by the Leader of the Op--3 position. 3 Back to the Fold Though he last session lost the chairo manship of a committee because of his o difference with the Government on the question of motor-omnibus legislation, / concerning which later developments have entirely endorsed his viewpoint. 3 Mr. A. Harris, Waitemata, appears now to be back in the best graces of r bis party leaders. He has, at any rate, - been appointed to the important chairmanship of the Cinematograph Films t Committee, a special committee set up - to deal with a Bill paramount in its appeal to public interest. s & l Flock House For N.Z. Boys So successful has Flock House, near s Marton, been as a farm training es- / tablishment for English boys, that Mr. W. S. Glenn has the idea that a similar institution should be available for New Zealand-born boys. He has asked t the Minister of Agriculture if such a proposition would be practicable,

■liamentary Reporter.) pointing out that after (heir training is completed the Flock House boys are placed with good farmers, and pa.rfc of their wages saved for them so that they may later start on their own. tS? “Forgive Me” There was an acid note in one or two of the passages when Mr. H. E. Holland was examining the Budget today. At one stage, when Mr. Holland was talking at, if not to, the Prime Minister, Mr. W. D. Lysnar crossed the floor to talk to Mr. Coates. “I want to get the Prime Minister’s attention.” said Mr. Holland. “I know tho member for Gisborne will forgive me.” At another stage Mr. Holland and the Prime Minister were exchanging compliments concerning newspaper quotations. “That is a mis-statement altogether,” said Mr. Holland, of one remark made by the Prime Minister. “This is a financial debate, not a personal one,” then said Mr. T. M. Wilford, icily. Sayings of the Week Mr. Lysnar (on preferential voting): Mr. McCombs lias a newborn idea, and I hope it will soon be stillborn. Mr. P. Fraser: That would be a mir- ; acle. * * Mr. J. A. Lee (on noxious weeds): Californian thistle, blackberry, .rabbits and the Reform Government —these 1 are the farmers’ worst troubles. Mr. Bellringer (on licensing): If anyone wants extremeness carried to an extremity, Mr. Lysna.r will give it to them. Mr. Bellringer (still on licensing): France is the most alcohol-soaked country in the world. Mr. Wilford (horrified): What? Roads Or Railways? “I believe the Government would be

well advised to go thoroughly into the question of whether it might be advisable to carry certain traffic on the roads instead of on the railways. The whole question of railway construction should be reviewed, as many railways were begun before the modern system of motor transport was developed. It will tako a great deal of courage for the Government to do this, but I believe a study of the position is warranted.” Thus Mr. D. Jones disj cussing the Budget to-night. Leader of “Davy Party” Another possible candidate for tho leadership of the United Party, which he referred to as the “Davy Party,” was nominated to-night by Mr. Jones during the Budget debate, when Mr. Jones hailed Mr. E. A. Ransom as competing for the leadership of tho Uniteds. In a vigorous speech Mr. Jones challenged Mr. Ransom’s contention that the farmer, under the land tax system, was allowed to escape a fair share of the taxation. In proof lie cited tho instance of the farmer who had £ ISO.OOO invested in unimproved land. If that man had money invested in the city at 6 per cent, he would pay £2,400 in income tax, but with the money in the land he would pay £5,500 in land tax. The big landowner was fighting for income tax; that was what he wanted, therefore both Air. Ransom and Mr. Holland were agitating in the interests of the big landown-