Mr. Speaker

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 741, 14 August 1929, Page 1

Mr. Speaker

2 Session Queries and f _ Asides

(THE SL'X'S Parliamentary Reporter) \VELLINGTOX, Tuesday. Possibly because the Grand National Steeplechase was being run at Christchurch today, the House of Representatives was rather “thin," several of the members with sporting interests being notable absentees. There was little in the proceedings, however, to warrant their presence. 8 t O Leave of absence has been granted to the following members: Mr. C. L. Carr (Timaru), four days; Mr. Tau Henare (Northern Maori). two days; Mr. J. A. Young (Hamilton), two days; Mr. “I J. Polson (Strattord), one day. 0 . -§ The Budget debate is meandering on, and some of the arguments advanced by the various speakers are starting to assume the roles 0t tried and trusty friends. One can almost say to oneself, “Ah, it's about time old Supertax and Primage put in an appearance. This crowded hour of inglorious blurb can’t be complete without them." And sure enough they turn up, a little ragged now and frayed at the edges, without that spick and span, appearance they were on Budget; night.

Growing Shriller A touch of brightness was added to the proceedings this afternoon when Mr. F. Langstone (VVaimarino) was replying in introducing his Bank of New Zealand Amendment Bill. He grew quite indignant about the banks not paying taxation and helping to swell dividends by drawing money out of the reserves. He thumped his table vigorousbr, and his voice grew shriller and shriller as he worked up to his climax once. so that one thought he was a prima donna venturing on the high C’s.

Garratt Locomotives Two questions concerning the newly-acquired Garratt locomotives were asked of the Minister of Reilways (the Hon. W. B. Taverner) by the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr. H. E. Holland). Mr. Holland wanted a. return or the cost of repairs, adjustments and trial runs of the locomotives, and also asked if it were a. fact that the engines were not yet running trains. He asked for a. departmental‘inquiry before any more money were spent on the engines.

Banks, the King. and Love Royalty and banks do not seem to \ be associated very much, but Mr. F. Langstone (W'aimarino) brought them together in the House today in speaking to his Bank of New Zealand Amendment Bill. He brought them together in such a way, however, that Mr. Speaker had to bring him to order. He was declaiming about the way in which the bank paid taxes. “They give one—seventh to his Majesty the King." he said ironically, adding parenthetically, “How they love the King; and six-seventh: to themselves.” Mr. Speaker called Mr. Langstone to order here. - “It's in the Act,” protested Mr. Langstone. “I’m quoting from the Act.” Mr. Speaker: It says nothing in the Act about love. (Laughter-J It seems that the honourable member is introducing matter that he should have put in his first speech. t It I! Boots An earnest advocate of the slogan “Buy New Zealand Goods" is Mr. D. G. Sullivan' (Avon). During his Budget speech this afternoon he asked pointedly of members how many of. them were wearing New Zealand boots and shoes, saying that every imported pair meant a day’s less work for a New Zealand tradesman. He asked members to think what make of boots they were wearing, and to praise or blame themselves as necessary. The eyes of several members turned to their feet. ¢ 0 ’ Mr. Fletcher's Retort W'henever Mr. J. S. Fletcher speaks Mr. A. M. Samuel (Thames), Retorm champion catch-as-catch-can interjector, camps right on his trail. He had been baiting Mr. Fletcher during the latter's disquisition on primage. He asked if Mr. Fletcher favoured the primage duty, after Mr. Fletcher had said that he liked primage as little as any member in the House. Mr. Fletcher looked at him with pained surprise and repeated his assertion, and capped it with: “I prefer the whips of prim. age to the scorpions of Reform Admim istration.” There was a roar of laughter. - 8 O t Summer Time : According to a statement by the ‘Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. Sir Hoseph Ward) the Government this i session will introduce a. Summer Time ; Bill. and will provide for halt an hour‘s ; robbery of Old Mari Time‘ as last year.

Then Unemployment Insurance High hopes of a big surplus at the end of the financial year were voiced in the House of Representatives tonight by Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynn). in looking forward to unem~ ployment insurance. ‘I hope we will have a big surplus.” he said, “for it we do we have a chance of unemployment insurance." Mr. Fletcher added that unemployment insurance was a subject in which he was keenly interested.