Mr. Speaker ... Session Queries and Asides

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 797, 18 October 1929, Page 1

Mr. Speaker ... Session Queries and Asides

THE S t.VS Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, Thursday. This afternoon was another repositorial time, so to speak, in the House of Representatives, when the accumulations of the past few weeks were flung into the lions' den so that they could be chewed over at leisure until 5.30. In other words. Ministers’ replies to members' questions were discussed for the first time for some weeks. * * * It was not a very interesting afternoon. the only subjects to arouse much feeling being the Arapunl erosion and the Auckland Harbour Bridge Commission. Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynn) protested against Mr. F. W. Furkert, engineer-in-chief to the Public Works Department, being a member of the commission when ho had so many other jobs with which to occupy his time. • • • Universal Half-Holiday Notice was given by Mr. W. E. Barnard (Napierl to ask the Prime Minister. the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, if he would give the House an early opportunity of discussing the universal Saturday half-holiday proposal, and if, on the House deciding in favour of of it, opportunity would be given to legislate on it. * » • Mr. Barnard also gave notice to introduce the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill. * • • Smuggling in Samoa In reply to a question by Mr. IL Semple (Wellington East), the Minister of External Affairs, the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, said that every possible step was taken to check opium and liquor smuggling iu Western Samoa and to bring to justice any offenders. A report on the subject had been received only a few weeks ago. He had no reason to believe that Government and shipping officials were concerned in any breaches of the law. and if any breach were discovered there would be no differential treatment.

Military Objectors Answering a question on the subject of what was to be done in a legislative direction concerning 13 applications for exemptions from military training which had been adjourned in Auckland until October next, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, said that suitable alternative service for the objectors had not yet been arranged, but aa announcement should be made within a few days. "We have had trouble in finding anyone to take them,” said Mr. WTI- - “but I think I now have an institution which will take them.” Mr. W. E. Barnard (Napier): A respectable institution? Mr. Wilford: Yes, the Salvation Army. * • * New Mcrrinsville Station Under the Government’s unemployment relief scheme, railway works are being selected with a view to e-«rly future requirements, and the preparation of the site for the new station and yards at Morrinsville will be considered with such works. That was the answer given by the Minister of Railways to a question by Mr. F. Lye (Waikato). The Expert

Who made the wireless regulation; t for the Post and Telegraph Department? Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) thinks an office boy did. He was giving his views on the subject in the House this evening. The Under-Secretary did not do it, he ssAd He didn’t have time. The chief engineer probably didn’t know anything about wireless. The late Postmas lerGeneral, Sir William Nosworthy, probably didn’t know a wireless set i f he saw one. A lad In the depart? pent must have framed the regulations. (Loud laughter.) * * * Local-Body Franchise Mr. W. J. Poison (Stratford) asked the Minister of internal Affair*!, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, vVhether during the recess he would hvive the legislation governing the election of hospital, harbour and electrfiic-power boards carefully scrutinised. Hand provide for amending legislaticfn giving rural voters a more equita/de basis of voting. The Minister replied 'that the matter had been the subjeeit of conferences between the Internal Affairs, Public Works, M arine and Health Departments. It was proposed to go more fully int/;» the question during the recess.

London Money Market In a written reply to a <tuestion the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, states that he proposers shortly to make a further stated nent to the House in regard to the resertion that he had been precluded from borrowing on the London xnarket for 13 months.