PARLIAMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1940, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

TODAY’S PROCEEDINGS

DEBATE ON EMERGENCY BILL. ' MR HOLLAND CRITICISES GOVERNMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association., WELLINGTON, This Day. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m., when urgency was granted for the, passing of the Emergency Regulations Amendment Bill. Continuing his speech in the second reading debate on the Bill, Mr S. G. Holland stated, that five months after the outbreak of war, there were more men on public works than there had been a month before the war. On the previous evening, the Minister of Finance had stated that there would be no profiteering during this war, but, asked Mr Holland, when was the Government going to apply this decision to and others who were being paid high rates in overtime for-work which was vitally essential in the Dominion’s war effort? He suggested that many men at present on public works be transferred to more productive work. The Minister of Supply (Mr Sullivan) said a large proportion of the men engaged in public works were bringing into production lands that hitherto had lain idle. With regard to the formation of a War Council, it was the Government’s intention that this body should have full executive powers as far as New Zealand’s war effort was concerned. The Rt Hon J. G. Coates contended that the country was waiting for a clear and definite lead and that it was Parliament’s duty to get busy and mobilise the country for a united war effort. Surely, he said, if members from both sides of the House were fighting side by side on the battlefield, it was the duty of members who remained behind to get together and make a united effort. PUBLIC WORKS POSITION. The Minister of Public Works (Mr Semple) said that talking should be reduced to a minimum and work increased to a maximum. Discussing the public works position, he said the Government was working to transfer men to productive works. However, irrigation work could not be cut down, because that meant increased production.

Mr W. S. Goosman considered that the crying need at the present time was for men to help in ordinary routine work on farms. If the Government went about things in the right way it could have the ungrudging compliance of the whole of the people. Mr E. P. Meachen, referring to the question of conscription, said he was one of those who considered it should not be passed before it was necessary. As long as we could fill our camps with men who entered them in the right spirit, the better it would be for all concerned.

Mr A. E. Jull suggested that the reason why the session was so long delayed was that the Government had to consult the Labour Conference.

The House adjourned at 1 p.m. until 2.30 p.m.