Mr. Speaker . . .

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 791, 11 October 1929, Page 1

Mr. Speaker . . .

Session Queries and Asides TIIE SIS $ Parliamentary Repo ter PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Today. With scarcely any preamble, the House hopped straight into consideration of the estimates this afternoon. and carried on the talk on them till 10.30. the subjects occupying most attention being the Post and Telegraph votes, the Prime Minister's residence in Tinakori Road, and the highways vote. The estimates will occupy the House all day tomorrow again. Members seem to be getting a little tired of the long sittings, for they cut off the oratorical flow at the head just after midnight on Wednesday evening, after every argument used during the last umpteen years had been brought out on the question of daylight saving. There is nothing new under the sun. particularly in a summer-time debate. “The Noah's Ark” Great concern was expressed by Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynnl at the state of Government buildings m Wellington, proudly pointed out as the biggest wooden building in the world, or something like that. Mr. Fletcher said that the paintwork was in a shocking condition. Then Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South), who is no respecter of persons or buildings, cut in "You mean ‘X'oah's Ark’ across the road? ’ * • • Gruesome Past A quiet descent from the twentieth century, with its well of English defiled by pictures and so forth, to the words of older days, was made by the Rev. Clyde Carr (Timarul this afternoon when the Government buildings estimates were under discussion. He regretted the continued existence on Mount Eden of a gaol, and pointed out that, in England now they were getting on without gaols. “If there is a battlemented relic of tlie gruesome past,” he said, iu fervent tones, “it is Mount Eden gaol. If the warders are not grendels and ogres to begin with, they would become such, and if prisoners are nor. criminals when they go in they will be when they go out. I hope it goes the way of old Lyttelton gaol.” Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East): It is a pity it hadn’t gone sooner. (Laughter.) Mr. Carr: Yes, I can appreciate the reference of the hon. member for Christchurch East. ♦ » • New Members “I am getting fed up with this talk of new members by Ministers,” said Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Egmontl in the House this evening when the Highways Estimates were under discussion. “I might point out,” he continued, "that new members are as old in their jobs as Ministers in theirs. New members are entitled to respect.” Parliament's Supremacy Speaking In the debate on the Highways Estimates this evening Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynn) made a strong plea for Parliamentary control of the Main Highways Funds. He said that Ministers of the Crown had entered Parliament on the pledge, but 1 now they sat silent. He challenged them to support their election pledges. There was no answer, and on the plea of Mr. Coates and Mr. H. E. Holland a division on the subject was taken. * • • Concessions on Metal Regarding concessions to local bodies in railway freights on metal, Mr. J. A. Young (Hamilton) said, in tlie House today, that the Estimates showed that the difference between full and concession rates was £2,500. The sum of £1,975 had been expended last year. Mr. Young wished to know whether the vote covered the whole of the concessions which were given local bodies. Was the amount for one section or for a number? The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. | Ransom, said that the amount Included everything.