Mr. Speaker . . .

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 707, 5 July 1929, Page 1

Mr. Speaker . . .

Session Queries and Asides

(THE SEN'S Par., .cntary ReporttrJ PARLIAMENT BLDGS, Thurs. Parliament has begun its session in earnest now atul the Address-in-Reply debate Is well under way. After the transaction of formal business members go straight on to the task of either defending or criticising the Government with gusto. Mr. W. L. Martin (Raglanl asked the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. G. W. r*orbes. for an analysis to be made of all the patent stock medicines. as many of them were harmful to animals. ... Mr. A. W. Hall (Hatiraki) asked tha Minister of Education for returns of the number of unemployed teachers, the number of married women teachers, and the number of married couples in the employ of the Education Department. Westport Fire Risks The need for providing facilities in the event of an outbreak of fire in Westport, whose public services havo been disorganised by the earthquake, was stressed by Mr. H. E. Holland in a question to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, today. He asked had the Minister received notification of the likelihood of fire at Westport, and the need for taking steps. Mr. Perrelle replied that he had got 4nto touch with the ofllcials concerned and a tug under steam would provide one lead of hose, the Railway Department pump another lead for the business section, the steam roller would drive the borough fire engine, and that the dredge was unable to assist at present because of boiler trouble. The necessary fire equipment had been shipped by the Arahura, so that every possible precaution had been taken.

Deceased Wife’s Niece The Marriage Amendment Bill introduced into the House of Representatives by Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Auckland Suburbs) legalises marriages with a deceased wife's niece, or a deceased husband’s nephew. Prisoner’s Statements The Evidence Amendment Bill, also introduced into the House by Mr. Mason, will, if passed Into law. reverse the presumption of threat or promise in favour of a prisoner. In England the rule Is that, before a prisoner’s confession or statement can be accepted by the court, it must be shown that it was not made as the result of a promise or a threat. The New Zealand rule is different in that statements or confessions are accepted by the court unless the prisoner can prove that they were obtained by the police as a result of threats or promises. * * * Unusual! From Mr. D. McDougall (Mataura), it seems, one may well expect the unexpected, so to speak, this Parliamentary session. He gladdened the hearts of men on opening day by appearing in a tartan waistcoat, and during the Address-in-Reply debate he provided members with something that is almost unprecedented in Parliamentary history. Mr. Coates was in full stride, talking about railways and things, when the little bell that marks the knell of further talk, unless the House grants an extension, rang. Immediately Mr. H. E. Holland and. Mr. W. A. Bodkin jumped to their feet. Mr. Bodkin caught Mr. Speaker’s eye, and he moved that an extension of time be given Mr. Coates. Mr. Speaker put the motion, and there was the usual silence of assent until the vigorous and fervent tones of Mr. McDougall cut the air with “No!”

“Let’s get on with the business of the House,” he added. There vrere mild chuckles amid a stunned silence, and Mr. T. W. McDonald (Wairarapa), Mr. McDougall’s bench-mate, tried to calm down his dissatisfied neighbour. Mr. A. J. Murdoch (Marsden), senior Government Whip, also turned round to calm Mr. McDougall. He subsided, and Mr. Coates, laughing, thanked Mr. Bodkin for his motion, and got into his stride again.

Tartan Exuberance The never-failing exuberance of Mr. D. McDougall (Mataura), knight of the tartan waistcoat, was once more in evidence just before the adjournment of the House tonight, when he and Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Riccarton) did a “Mistah Bones” act across the floor. The last speaker for the evening was Mr. Kyle, who said that he did not Intend to delay the House any further with his remarks. Mr. McDougall (in loud voice): Hear! hear! (laughter.) Mr. Kyle: When the hon. member rises to speak it will take us all wo can do to hold him down. In the din that ensued Mr. McDougall shook his finger at Mr. Kyle and endeavoured to make himself heard. Mr. Kyle: When we have the muzzle off we will have an enjoyable time. Mr. McDougall: Give us a song now, give us a song. (Laughter.) Mr. Kyle: If I were Harry Lauder at a banquet I would do so.