COMING LEGISLATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 934, 29 March 1930, Page 1

COMING LEGISLATION

“PARTY WON’T DIVULGE” SAYS MINISTER CABINET DOING ITS DUTY j Press Association BLENHEIM, Today. "It has been suggested that Mem-, hers of the Cabinet have been unable to fulfil their obligations,” said the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, Minister of Internal Affairs, at a civic reception last evening* "but I want to say that I believe that every member of the Cabinet is carrying out his duties and j doing them untrammelled. “There is a further complaint this j time from the people who are asking about Legislation for the coming session. They have expected us to divulge our programme but:, I ask you. has any party ever saicl to the people what Legislation it proposed to bring down? I want to say it will be presented in due course to members when they assemble in Parliament for the transaction of business. Furthermore, the Legislation will be up-to-date and ample in every particular for the welfare and advancement of this Dominion.” (Applause). The Minister went on to make brief reference to land settlement, and to illustrate what the Government had done to provide financial assistance for j people on the land. He stated that 1 during the last 14 months the State i Advances Department had established i a record by actually paying out the I sum of £6,000,000 to settlers and j workers. PRIME MINISTER’S HEALTH ] "I want to tell you he is steadily l improving,” ( proceeded the Minister j amidst applause, in .referring to the illness of Sit, Joseph Ward. “I want ! to tell you that physically and meni tally, with the exception of one of i his legs, which is troubling somewhat, iheis as good as ever. (Hear, hear!). 1 As you know, the Prime Minister has been attacked by his opponents during his illness, but I consider it unsportsmanlike, ungenerous and unkind for some of the papers and some individuals to have criticised so severely i a sick man. (Hear, Hear!) “We have never tried to take advantage of sick men. Last session of Parliament there were half a dozen members whom we hardly saw because of sickness, but we sympathised with them and did not try to harry them. However, I think the great bulk of the people of New Zealand do not associate themselves with these attacks and sincerely hope and trust that Sir Joseph will bo restored to health and will be able to resume his seat in the House.” (Applause.) The Minister received a number of deputations and leaves for Wellingj ton tomorrow.