Mr. Speaker . .

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 766, 12 September 1929, Page 1

Mr. Speaker . .

Session Queries and Asides (The SVK’S Parliamentary Reporter} WELLINGTON, Wednesday. With the Prime Minister (the RL. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward> absent from the House with influenza, proceedings this afternoon were quie-t. Ministerial answers to questions were put down on the order paper, but at the behest of the Hon. G. W. Forbes. Minister of Lands, who q? leading the House now in the absence of the Prime Minister, the order was changed, and members devoted themselves to discussion of the Prisons Hoard and Police Force reports. Three days’ leave of absence waa granted Mr. A. E. Ansell (Chalmers* because of illness in the family. Women Police What is a discreet woman? That was the query put to Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) by the Minister of Justice (the Hon. T. M. Wilford) when the former was discussing women police in New' Zealand. Mr. Wright answ'ered that a discreet woman was one who knew when to hold her tongue and say nothing. Mr. Wilford: She’d have to be dumb. Mr. Wright contended that the ©ge should be 30 and over. Such a woman would be of considerable help to young girls in many ways. Mr. Wilford: Has the hon. gentleman seen those offering their services 7 Policeman’s Holiday As the policeman’s life is not so good as it is painted and he is always supposed to be on duty, even on holiday, a suggestion that members of the force on holiday should receive free railway passes was advanced by Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West) in the House this afternoon. Mr. Savage said that the policeman never had a real holiday. Te Kuiti Sections The question of revaluing and putting on the market at reduced prices sections in the Te Kuiti borough which have reverted to the Crown is receiving attention, according to au answer given by the Minister of Lands (the Hon. G. W. Forbes) to a question by Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Waitomo), who pointed out that as a result of over 150 such sections reverting to the Crown the borough w*as losing annually £1,500 in unpaid rates. Suburban Railways According to the answer given to a question from Mr. J. W. Munio (Dunedin North) by the Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. B. Taverner) tho question of the use of railcars of various types on suburban lines is under investigation, and a competent expert will be sent abroad to collect information. Film Censorship Regulations for the censorship oZ film posters have been drafted, and at present are under consideration. That w'as the reply given by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle) to a question on the subject by Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs). When the House resumed in the evening the Shops' and Offices Amendment Bill, introduced by Mr. R. McKeen (Wellington South) was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Labour Bills Committee. Imprisonment for Debt The second reading of the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Amendment Bill w'as moved by Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Auckland Suburbs). After some discussion the Bill was read a second time and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. Hobson Bay On behalf of the Railways Committee Mr. J. T. Hogan (Rangitikei), chairman, reported that, regarding the petition of George Baildon and others, praying that no further reclamation. ,for railway purposes be allowed at Hobson Bay, the committee had no recommendation to make as the question was under consideration by the Government. * * m Dangerous Cross : ng As the petition of A. Hedley and 28 others for the elimination of the dangerous railway crossing at Hukerenui involved a matter of policy, the Railways Committee had no recommendation to make. Overworked Police In the opinion of the Minister of Justice, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, there are not enough police in New* Zealand, and what there are have too much to do. Every year, he said, new duties w-ere created for police by the Agricultural and other departments. The Arms Act alone absorbed many men, but he hoped to alter that state of affairs this session. There was no dearth of a fine stamp of men willing to enter the force.