Session Incidents Queries and Asides

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 442, 25 August 1928, Page 5

Session Incidents Queries and Asides

WELLINGTON, Friday. PARLIAMENT settled down to-day A to an examination of the first series of Departmental estimates. The Internal Affairs Department, first on the list, afforded opportunity for excursions into publicity, bird-life, salaries of private secretaries, and many other subjects equally diverse. During the afternoon a mass of reports on petitions and bills was submitted. No decisions of a sensational character were involved, though the fiat rejection of the Auckland City Water Supply Bill, embodying the recommendations of a commission which investigated the question last year, will no doubt be considered a jar to the aspirations of tlie Auckland City Council. A number of petitions praying lor the abolition of compulsory military training were reported from the Public Petitions Committee without recommendation. When tlie House resumed at 7.30, Labour members continued discussion on the Estimates by attacking the administration of the National Wax Funds Council. The House continued to discuss the Estimates until 12.15 a.m., when it adjourned until 2.30 p.m., on Tuesday. * * & Electrical Wiremen The Electrical Wiremen’s Registration Amendment Bill was introduced and read a first time. The Bill seeks to remove anomalies in the existing _law and to give greater control with regard to the installation of electrical fittings. 3R S& 3R Domains and Parks Certain alterations are embodied in the Public Reserves, Domains and Parks Bill, returned by the committee to-day. Provision for levying admission charges at public domains may now be given on 20 days annually instead of 10, or by special authority on 30 instead of 15, as before. There is a new clause providing that controlling boards may grant easements through parks for water or electricity reticulation or other purposes. The borrowing of controlling boards is placed within the terms of the Local Government Loans Act, 1926. & Racing Club’s Plea The Te Kuiti Racing Club’s application for remission of penal interest on arrears of stamp duty has been referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7^ Ex-Prime Minister Returning. Sir Joseph Ward, who is returning by the Aorangi, was to-day granted a further three weeks’ leave absence “on account of urgent public business.” This will no doubt surfice to see him safely back in his place in the ££ouse. Tragedy of the Seventies There was an echo of a tragedy of the ’7o’s to-day, when a committee, supported by several members, strongly recommended that an Act bo. passed to enable children of the victims of the Kaitangata mine explosion, 1879, to have the benefit of the fund, amounting to some £4,000, which was collected at the time, and is. still unexpended. The money was tied up by Act of Parliament, apparently because it was then not required, in the time of the late Hon. R. J. Seddon. * * * Something About Rabbits The Hon. O. Hawken: Angora rabbits are shorn each year with scissors. The Hon. A. D. McLeod: I wonder if they come under the shearing award. * * * Mr. E. A. Ransom (champion of the Angora): They are not like ordinary rabbits. You have to house them, feed them, groom them “And bath them!” said a voice from the back benches. Mr. W. D. Lysnar: Rabbits are things that travel very quickly when they are on the move. Motiti Island The petition in which Tokotohiwi Ngahaii and 48 other inhabitants of Motiti Island, near Tauranga, asked that Motiti Island might be excluded from the Arawa Trust Board district, and placed under the Matatua Malris’ Council, thus restoring ancient tribal adjustments, has been recommended to the Government for favourable consideration. SAYINGS OF THE WEEK Mr. J. A. Nash: I have been in Parliament 10 years now. Labour chorus: Too long, too long, too long. Mr. W. S. Glenn: I ask the hon. gentleman not to state facts that are contrary. * * * Mr. R. McKeen: Is there any man who is a greater guesser than a politician? Mr. W. D. Lysnar: The rural credits system is like offering the country a spoonful when it needs a bucketful. Mr. W. E. Parry: I shall not pull down my flag. I shall come home bringing my tail behind me. * * * Mr. F. Waite (on Kaitangata explosion) : The explosion took place in 1879, and as far as I am aware the children are still orphans.