LOOKING BACK

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1065, 1 September 1930, Page 11

LOOKING BACK

The Week in Parliament

THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, Saturday. With the departure of the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, and his retinue, for the Imperial Conference, the cork, so to speak, has been pulled from the Parliamentary sodawater bottle and with occasional bursts of effervescence the legislative liquid is going flat. The Blouse seems curiously (lead without “honest George Forbes” in his place, and it is plain that only machinery business and private members’ legislation can provide matter for discussion. From present indications, it seems as if the session will end within four weeks, ami perhaps sooner. The most important business that will come before the House is the Unemployment Bill, which has already been discussed in much the same terms five times already. Members have aired their views; Reform has proclaimed its more or less undying enmity toward the payment of sus-

tenance; Labour has pushed its claim for a graduated scale of taxation instead of the “poll-tax” of 30s a head on all males over 20; and the Government. has indicated that it will he pleased to receive any suggestions that will make the Bill brighter, bigger and better than ever. The result was that after a day’s debating on Tuesday last, the Bill was considered in committee down to the clause dealing with the unemployment levy and it is now for Cabinet to give its opinion as to whether a graduated form of levy can be introduced. Cabinet has to deliver its verdict on Tuesday next, according to the pro- j visional order paper for next week, | for “further consideration of the Un- | employment Bill” is the first item j on the long list. Should a graduated < scale be decided upon, it is likely that the Bill will go through fairly quickly, for, after all, members cannot repeat ad infinitum their opinions on the Bill, only adding to the swollen bulk of Hansard. THE GAMING BILL Another Bill that will cause keen discussion and that will be strictly non-Party in its effect will bo the I Gaming Amendment Bill, fathered this session by Mr. K. S. Williams (Re- j form Bay of Plenty) in place of the late Sir George Hunter. Always on I this Bill there is a stonewall’ and there is a strict line of demarcation , drawn between those members who ■ patronise the prancing prad, and those j who do not. The Bill is substantially j unaltered from the hardy annual of former times and members will have | plenty of scope for their condemnation ! of the bookmaker, the totalisator, the punter and all their errors of omis- | sion and commission. The fact that the Prime Minister before he went away promised a deputation from the Sports Protection League that the Bill would be given a ‘‘fair spin” and the fact, that the Leader of the Opposition, the Right Hon. .T. G. Coates, has intimated that he always voted for the same measure may have some effect upon the attitudes of the members of their respective parties. At the same time, however, alteration in the gaming laws of New Zealand are always subject to bitter debate and while there seems to he a majority in the House in favour of the proposed changes, the promoter of the Bill may have his work cut out to get it through all its stages. It will he remembered that on the last occasion on which the late Sir George Hunter sought to bring about the alterations now proposed his intentions were defeated by his failure I to "maintain a House.” In other words, members walked out upon him. PARTY FEELING REVIVED While the hectic business of the fortnight before the Prime Minister’s departure was being put through, party feeling faded into the background, but the stalwarts came to light on Thursday last, when the Imprest Suoplv debate was taken. Then Reformers provoked Labour into hot criticism of the deeds of the past Government and also of the lack of frankness of the present Government regarding the public service. Labour members were insistent that something should be said regarding, rumoured “cuts” and dismissals, and only a definite reply by the acting-Prime Minister, the. Hon. K. A. Ransom, placated therp. While the party talk was going on it was hot and strong, and the Invercargill by-election was dragged in by the hair of its head and butchered to make a party holiday. RAILWAYS AND P.W.D. Beyond these few bright spots, the week in Parliament was dull, but next week, as has been indicated, promises better things. For instance, the Railways Statement is expected to be released very soon, and members will be able to dissect to their hearts’ content accumulated deficits, surpluses, and ordinary balances upon the working railways of the Dominion. The demands of the Opposition have been satisfied by the presentation of the Government’s statement upon railways under construction, hut discussion on this point is not likely to come up until the debate on the Public Works Statement. The Public Works Estimates are likely to give members a chance once more to chewover the position of the Main Highways Board and the alleged “’steals” of money from the Highways Fund. The House should hear once more the ancient arguments for and against and the development of backblocks roads should form a juicy bone of contention. After having been considered by the Health Committee for some time now, the Nurses’ and Midwives’ Registration Amendment Bill, providing for the recognition of private hospitals as training schools for nurses, should be before the House next week, and the organised protest that has been matTe about this Bill outside should find its echo in the attitude of members in the House. There is sure to be hot debate on this Bill. To each member of the House his electorate is the fairest , spot in God’s Own Country, so that the annual report. of the Tourist Department should give plenty of chance for discussion. The respective merits of Waikikamookau and the Southern lakes should be argued out with splendid bursts of forensic fervour. Still, although next week promises to be brighter than last, the Parliamentary salt is losing its savour, and many members are anxious to get home.