Mr. Speaker

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 724, 25 July 1929, Page 1

Mr. Speaker

Session Queries and Asides (TUB SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, 'Wednesday.

This afternoon questions and answers occupied the time of the Houso of Representatives, and tomorrow Sir George Hunter’s Gaming Bill will come up for consideration. On Friday probably there will be the Standing Orders for consideration, and next week the Budget. Parliament then will be settled down to the earnest things of life. * m m ' For the first time in the session a flavour of political warfare entered into things, when the Prime Minister rose to make his debut in the debate. When he told the House of his reasons for not being able to borrow' on the London market, he created an air of tension, which was only heightened by the swift, incisive questions of Mr. Stewart, who, for him, was vehement in denial. Then there was the reading of that '?tter from Mr. E. E. Vaile to the Rt. lon. J. G. Coates. There was d.-ama n the hush that came over the ch a trier, and the way in which the Prime iinister drew' Mr. Coates on to admiting that the line was not a political ne could not fail to be admired. The ilence that followed the reading of he letter was followed by ironic laugher from the Opposition benches. The ’rime Minister’s speech was remarkably free from interjection. He had oo much of the interest of the House vith him for that. There were some passages between iim and Mr. Coates, and once Mr. Speaker had to restrain the two rival eaders from making things too conversational. Mr. Stewart in his reply also received a good hearing, and the House istened eagerly to the even tones of lis voice as lie made out his case, lie inished off with some agreeable jest ng at the expense of the Government Party and its Cabinet members, his satire evoking laughter from his own and the cross-benches. * * * That London Ban The war between the Prime Minister ind Mr. Stewart was carried on a stage further this afternoon, when Mr. Stewart moved that a return be laid on the table of the House of copies of ail correspondence betw'een the Minister of Finance or his predecessor and London which lent any colour to the suggestion that the Minister of Finance had been prohibited from going on the London money market for two years, and in particular any correspondence that suggested that he was embarrassed in any loan transactions by the action of his predecessor office. Petitions still keep pouring into the House, and there was a regular shoal of them praying for an amendment to the Gaming Act this afternoon. Nearly every member now has presented one or more petitions on this subject. Possiblv an idea of the answer may be ob - tained from the discussion of the new Bill tomorrow. # The Christ s College (Canterbury) Private Bill was read a second time, so that the careless flick of the typist s finger in putting an eight for a six is gradually being rectified.^ A fatal accident to Mr. J. P> • Xichols of Christchurch, was recalled, when Mr. D. (J. Sullivan (Avon), quoting the accident, gave notice to ask the Minister of Transport, the Hon. \\ A. Veitch. if legislative provision couli. be made in connection with third-party risk insurance for a person injured or killed by a motor-car. the driver 01 which was unknown or unable to be found. , • • Mr H. S. S. Kvle (Riccarton) wanted to know of the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. Atmore. what facilities there were in the Dominion for the training of sports mistresses for secondary schools. m Replying to Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central), the Hon. AV. B. Tanner, Minister of Kailivays, said the regrading of the positions in the first division of the railway service as at April 1 1029, is now well in hand, and will, it is anticipated, be completed at an early date. I Christchurch will not get its new i railway station yet awhile. The Hon. 1 AV B Taverner, replying to a question by’ Mr. E. J, Howard (Christchurch South) said: —“I regret that it Is not possible at present to indicate when the new railway station at Christchurch will be gone on with. I * , * * 1 Chorus of "Noes 1 The ranks of Labour raised a small storm of dissent in the House tonight when, at the 9.30 supper adjournment. the Prime Minister. Sir Joseph AA’ard, suggested that as the debate could not be finished in the evening it should be adjourned. Labour Members (loudly and in disgruntled manner): Surely, surely! Mr. R. Semple (Wellington East). We’re getting bilious. . Sir Joseph Ward persisted in the ooint and the motion to adjourn was put to a chorus of “No, no, no I” from L Is a division called Labour members shook their heads. The House adjourned with gentle irony. m

Hearing the Call With an excellent story to illustrate the point, Nlr. D. Jones (Mid*Cantcrbury), this evening hit off the foibles of one member of Cabinet, and his acquaintance with things Scriptural and Divine. Mr. Jones gazed at the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy as he told the story of :he Scottish lady who went to hear her nephew preach. The nephew made a mess of the sermon according to Mr. Jones. “Jam:e,” she ! said, “why did you take up preachI ing?” “I had the call,” he replied. I “Ah. Jamie, are you sure it was not some other noise?” The House I chuckled. Mr. Jones later raised a loud laugu when he said that, speaking on * floor of the House with the waters • of Wellington Harbour behind the Op- ! position Mr. Stallworthy had pointed I dramatically and exclaimed, “They are I between the devil and the deep blue sea.” Amid laughter Mr. Jones said, I “We will call him the second Lucifer I and leave it at that.”