WORK ON ESTIMATES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 August 1939, Page 5

WORK ON ESTIMATES

PROGRESS FACILITATED BY OPPOSITION SOME CONTENTIOUS ISSUES. BURDENS OF HOSPITAL FINANCE. ißy Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. An assurance of Opposition assistance in passing a substantial list of Estimates al one silting was given to the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr Fraser said that in view of the present circumstances he would like to have the assistance of the Opposition in passing a fairly heavy programme of Estimates. All the votes involved in the list related lo departments directly under his control, as well as those of which he was temporarily in charge. Mr Coates (Kaipara), who was acting as Leader of the Opposition, said that members of the Opposition fully appreciated the difficulties that faced Mr Fraser at present and the very heavy burden that rested on his shoulders. They were anxious to help rather than hinder the Minister in carrying out his onerous duties, and to that extent would co-operate. On broad lines of policy the Opposition might find it necessary to divide the Committee, but he could give an assurance that so far as the Opposition was concerned the Estimates would be passed. Appreciation of the Opposition attitude was expressed by Mr Fraser. “If our positions .were reversed we would take up the same attitude." he said. Eleven items, representing a total of £7,632,786, were approved as ’follow: — Legislative Departments, £109,995; Treasury Department, £48,200; Land and Income Tax Department, £158,000; Public Service Commissioner’s Office. £14,500; Marine Department, £204.112; Health Department, £1,537,000; Electoral Department £14,000; Police Department. £625,000; Mental Hospitals Department, £409,000; Education Department, £4)470.000; Audit Department, £42,979.

Two amendments were moved by the Opposition, one to reduce the Legislative Department vote-by £1 as a protest against the legislative expenditure, and another to reduce the amount voted for subsidies to hospital bodies by £lOOO in order to draw attention to the burden imposed on ratepayers by the present system of hospital finance. Both amendments were lost.

Several important departmental reports were also presented. The House adjourned at 9.54 p.m. till today, when answers to questions and an imprest Supply Bill are to be taken.