Budget Debate.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 July 1941, Page 4

Budget Debate.

In the Budget debate in. the House of Representatives yesterday, an extended account of the organisation of New Zealand forces was given by the Minister of Defence (Mr Jongs). A plea for political unity was made by an Independent member, Mr Wilkinson. With these exceptions the debate was carried on 'by Government backbenchers. Two women members now sit in the House. Mrs M. M. Dreaver was sworn in as Government member for Waitemata and occupied a bench not far from Mrs Stewart (Government, Wellington West).

NIZ. Vehicles in Egypt. Anything from home always arouses friendly interest .on the part of New Zealand troops serving with the forces in the Middle East. For this reason they were especially interested recently to see trade vehicles from New Zealand still bearing the marks of their previous owners make their appearance in the camps here. To see motor transport painted in greens or reds in marked contrast to the sombre colours used by the Army immediately ■suggested something unusual, and to find that New Zealand “civilian” lorries had joined the N.Z.E.F. overseas was a pleasant surprise. The fact that at least one bore the signs of a well-known brewery may have had something to do with this. Aluminium Production. A suggestion that representation should be made to the British Government or to Lieutenant-General, Sir Ronald Charles, director of the British Aluminium Company, bringing under notice the potentialities of New Zealand for the production of aluminium in the Dominion was made by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, in notice of a question to the Minister of Industries and Commerce. Mr Sullivan, in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr Holland, who said that it was reported in the Press that Australia would undertake the manufacture of aluminium, also asked the Minister if he would draw attention to the fact that the Dominion had remarkable hydro-electric resources available for the production of aluminium and other light metals.