PARLIAMENT’S DAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 August 1941, Page 4

PARLIAMENT’S DAY

DEBATE ON DEVELOPMENT BILL FINANCES OF SMALL FARMS SCHEME. FURTHER OPPOSITION DEMANDS FOR INQUIRY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The House of Representatives met yesterday afternoon after the long weekend recess. After a number of questions had been asked by members and some answered by Ministers, two local Bills, the Lower Hutt City Empowering and Rates Consolidation Bill and the Awatere County Empowering Bill, were read a second time, put through the committee stage without amendment and passed. The second reading debate on the National Development Loans Bill was continued throughout the rest of the sitting. It was a routine day on unspectacular legislation. When the House resumed at 7.30 in the evening the Acting-Prime Minister, Mr Nash, interrupted the debate by consent and made the much-sought-after statement on the Government’s proposals for dealing with conscientious objectors, and men whose appeals have been dismissed and who still refuse military duty. Regulations covering the points outlined by Mr Nash were gazetted last night. During the’ debate on the Development Loans Bill Opposition members renewed their attack on the Government’s administration of its small farms development programme, and the previous demand for an inquiry into the financial aspects of the scheme was renewed. Government spokesmen warmly defended the scheme. The House adjourned at 10.30 till 2.30 this afternoon.