Toilworn Parliament

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 479, 8 October 1928, Page 16

Toilworn Parliament

LAST RALLIES OF SESSION Mr. Sidey and Summer Time (THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Saturday. FROM a week of hard work and rapid-fire legislation the reappearance of the summer-time principle stands out as one of the- surprises. Parliament in its closing hours has transacted important business with such celerity that it seems regrettable, if only in the interests of economy, that the methods followed in this closing week could not be more generally applied.

RUMMER time—even only half an hour of it—meant several things. First, a personal triumph for Mr. T. K. Sidey, to whom no better parting gift could have been made by a House that, while seeing him no more, will always have cause to remember him as a popular, courteous, soft-spoken, yet amazingly tenacious figure. Next, the summer-time compromise meant the liberation of Mr. Coates and his party from the embarrassing charge that it had deliberately withheld a popular principle from an enormous section of the people that desired it keenly. This view was undoubtedly given full recognition by the Reform caucus to which the proposal was submitted on Thursday morning. Ths Prime Minister had kept his secret well, and even on the evening before the caucus there were still members of the Reform Party who had no idea that the proposal was coming forward. Conversely, the introduction of the half-hour summer-time measure robbed the Labour Party of a piece of splendid ammunition. There seemed to be a touch of chagrin in the voice of Mr. P. Frazer. But half an hour is not an hour, and in the coming campaign the Opposition will be able to console itself by elaborating on that theme. IN TOP GEAR The House was in top gear on Friday evening, when, having exhausted its polemical resources over the pay and prospects of Mr. Sterling, it grappled manfully with the Auckland Transport Board Bill and the SummerTime Bill, and put them through all stages in short order. Earlier in the week there had been a resurrection of familiar topic, unemployment, but the subject was unfortunately not given any original treatment, and it consequently tended to become wearisome. There were really amusing moments when, after a spasm of industry had enabled the House to probe to hitherto unfathomed depths of the order papfer, Sir John Luke’s Music Teachers Registration Bill was dredged up and resuscitated. Mr. A. M. Samuel, whose racehorse had on this happy occasion won him a success in “another place,” chose the opportunity to make merry. Since he can be brilliantly amusing, There was a refreshing interlude, closing in applause for Sir John when the Bill was finally enacted. The Third-Party Risks Bill did not, after all, prove to be a “slaughtered innocent.” Instead it -was passed by

both Houses with a minimum of analytical discussion, and motorists next April will have to pay £1 more for their licences, to gain in return what most of them will undoubtedly regard as a very limited benefit. Two members conspicuous for their reticence broke their long silence during the week. One was Mr. J. Walter (Stratford) who spoke briefly on behalf of friendly societi**, and the other Mr. H. W. Uru, colossal in stature, but rarely voluble. Mr. Uru added his vigorous testimony to the polished appeal of Sir Apirana Ngata for justice for the Maori race, and he was warmly applauded for his fervour and sincerity. SATURDAY SITTING Sitting from 11 a.m. to 4.15 p.m., the House effected a good clearance of the order paper on Saturday, the following measures being passed: Native (“washing-up”) Bill, Auckland University College Reserves Amendment Bill, Local Legislation Bill, Copyright (temporary) Amendment Bill, the Lands (“washing-up”) Bill, the Engineer’s Registration Amendment Bill. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m., and put through Government Railways Amendment Bill, Electric Power Boards Amendment Bill, Sum-mer-Time Bill and Auckland Transport Board Bill, and adjourned at 3.50 p.m., until 11 a.m., on Monday. The House will meet again at 3 0.m., on Monday when the Supplementary Estimates, local bills and the Finance Bill will be dealt withr Tuesday evening will see the curtain fall on the 22nd Parliament that has legislated for New Zealand. Election manifestos for the short, but very sharp campaign will probably be issued within a day of two thereafter. The Reform Party held a very successful and enthusiastic caucus on Thursday, when the party policy was given formal endorsement. It is understood on good authority that “Auld Lang Syne” did not figure in the programme.