Mr. Speaker . . . Session Queries and Asides

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 768, 14 September 1929, Page 1

Mr. Speaker . . . Session Queries and Asides

J (THE SUE'S Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Friday. At 5.30 today the curtain was rung down on the dullest scene in the Par- | liamentary drama so far. The whole I of the day was consumed in the dis- ! cussion of Estimates, and the House : devoted most of its time to those of the Internal Affairs Department. Members themselves were not disposed to treat the discussion seriously. Both I lots of estimates were passed. There have not been many bright spots at all this week, and the incident that attracted most notice was the challenge of the member for Grey | Lynn, Mr. J. S. Fletcher, on the unemployment problem, and his threat to transfer his allegiance to the other side of the House. The absence of the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, has had the effect of slowing things up. although Sir Joseph has been carrying on with the routine work of the day in his apartments. He is making a good recovery from his bout of influenza, and should be leading the House again on Tuesday. * • The discussion today covered a wide range, deer, opossums, publicity, moving pictures and court houses being some of the subjects under review by members. Later in tbe day members devoted their attention to tuatara lizards. * • • Petrol Storage That the cities and towns of the Dominion were being undermined, so to speak, by the issue of permits for the underground storage of petrol and oil, was a view advanced by Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon), who urged upon the Minister of Internal Affairs the desirability of conducting an investigation into the whole question of underground oil storage, so that local authorities could be given a guide to the issue of storage permits. The authorities went upon the advice of the Internal Affairs Department. * * * Making Crime Pay Criticism was made by several mem • bers of the Justice Department. They claimed that it was not paying. The Minister of Justice, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, in his reply stated that the bal-ance-sheet of the department for the past year had not yet been audited, it showed a profit of £9,400, excluding interest and depreciation. If interest were charged at the rate of 41 per cent., the charge would work out at £22,500, and that would have to be set against the profit. Interest was not allowed on court houses, but depreciation only. They also were not insured, the Government taking the risk of fire 9s with other Government buildings. Mr. F. Waite (Clutha): It seems to me that If the department is paying so well we should really encourage crime. “It does seem that we can make money this way," said Mr. Waite, “instead of going on the London market.” * , * Students as Boosters That the New Zealand University debaters who will tour Canada and the eastern States of America will do a lot of good in advertising New Zealand was the contention of Mr. G. C. Black (Motueka), who urged that the Publicity Department should avail itself of the services of these young men of education and ability. They had offered to help the department, and the department should avail itself of the offer. • * * What Do Opossums Eat? Much discussion occurred on the alleged depredations of opossums in the Dominion The importance ol the fur industry to New Zealand was stressed by several members. In his rep'y, the Minister of Interna] Affairs, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, said that he fully realised the importance of the industry. Regarding statements that the animals menaced New Zealand bird life, the Minister sa’d investigations were being made into this subject. The stomach contents of 150 opossums had been examined, and no indication had been found that birds had been attacked an eaten. Possibly opossums ate berries in the bush and starved the bird life. * * * Racecourse Playgrounds Mr. A. M. Samuel (Thames) asked the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle. whether he would consider granting some of the revenue the Government derived from totalisators for the purpose of helping the public to obtain playing areas on racecourses. He pointed out that many racecourses were used only a few days a year and the rest of the time they remained idle. It was unfair to request racing clubs out of their own funds to provide playing grounds on their courses, but he thought something could be* done if the Govornment would make a arrant. Mr. Perrelle promised to give the matter full consideration.