SESSION INCIDENTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 459, 14 September 1928, Page 16

SESSION INCIDENTS

Queries and Asides

■ ■ ■ - » 4 (THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter)

v WELLINGTON, Thursday. Though the House A devoted itself with enthusiasm yesterday aftfernoop to the cause of roads and heavy traffic fees, there was bigger game in sight, the Licensing Amendment Bill introduced on Tuesday was at the head of the order paper overshadowing the lesser considerations of the day. The debate lasted until 2 o’clock this morning, when the second reading was passed on the voices. A denial that all, ballot papers for the coming licensing poll have already been printed was made by the Hon. A. D. McLeod in answer to Mr. Holland. Mr. McLeod said that the only papers printed were those for absentee voters w'ho required to have their papers early and would have to make adjustments as required if Parliament altered the law in accordance with the Licensing Bill or amendments thereto. Outside, Looking In Seated in the public gallery to-day were a number of United Party candidates, who have assembled in Wellington for the conference, beginning today, at which they will select their leader. It was noted, incidentally, that Mr. W. A. Veitch was absent from the Chamber this afternoon, perhaps undertaking the last phases of the necessary detailed organisation work. Meanwhile the candidates in the public gallery were doubtless harbouring secret hopes of next session seeing the proceedings from another angle. Council’s Quick Work Thirty-three minutes sufficed the Legislative Council to-day to put through 16 Bills. The Statutory Land Charges Registration Bill was passed. The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill and the Auctioneers Bill were read

a second time pro forma, the former being referred to the Statutes Revision Committee and the latter to the Agriculture and Stock Committee. The following local Bills among others were read a second time and set down for committal to-day: Whangarei Harbour Board Vesting, Whangarei Abattoir Site Extension, Whakatane Harbour Amendment, Onerahi Water Reserve Enabling and Whangarei Borough Empowering. * & Rolls-Royce Does it “What about the farmers in their Rolls-Royces?” asked Mr. J. S. Dickson this afternoon. “What about tbp damage those big, heavy cars do to the roads. Now the member fqr Raglan; I suppose he’s got a Buick, or something Voices: “Oh, no, a Rolls-Royce,” Mr. Martin: “Anyway, the farmers pay/more than anyone else, already.” * 3R 3k C.O.D. System Early in the session immense petitions were received in great numbers on the question of reduction in heavy•traffio taxation and abolition of the cash on delivery parcels system. So large and so numerous were these petitions that it almost seemed as if everybody in the country had signed one or the other. Yesterday they were returned after investigation by committees, both with the recommendation that they be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. _ $£ rl?' City v. Country The recommendation concerning thp C.O.D. system was adopted without discussion, but the recommendation concerning motor taxation precipitated a discussion tkat lasted the whole afternoon. An interesting feature was that

city members, whether Reform or Labour, joined in attacking the present system, while country members upheld it. Mr. Lee Martin, the farmer Labour member from Raglan, was an unexpected champion of the Government’s policy of making the heavy vehicles pay. * Sfc * Upper House Wary As suggested in this column some days ago, the fact that tjie Lower House had, practically without exception, agreed that a new bank in New Zealand is desirable, in no way suggested that Legislative Councillors would take the same view. Thus it was seen this week that the two most powerful figures in the Upper House, Sir Francis Bell and Sir James Allen, seem without equivocation to be opposed to the idea of a new bank. The council is now setting up a committee to investigate the Bill, and some surprise amendments, if not a surprise decision on the whole Bill, may be the result. ... w . * * * Lighter Vein There were some laughable moments during the licensing discussion, as when Mr. H. G. Dickie said “I am a moderate drinker. I have been all my life.” Mr. J. A. Lee: Oh, naughty, naughty. Again, Mr. R. M. Samuel mentioned that he had never anyone drunk in Ohinemuri. A voice: I suppose they’re all locked up. Mr. H. Atmore gave friterjectors short shrift. “Don’t interrupt me,” he said to one critic and to Mr. T. Forsyth, who asked what was a certain percentage he said “Work it out for yourself. You’re an accountant.” Mr. J. McCombs interrupted the Prime Minister with some remark about “free licensing vote.” Mr. Coates: I don’t follow the hon. gentleman. Mr. Wilford: You’re very wise not to.