HOUSE RESUMES

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21370, 14 March 1941, Page 6

HOUSE RESUMES

MORNING QUESTIONS DRAINAGE WORK IN SOUTH TRIBUTES TO LEGISLATORS (By Telcg-rapn.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Friday When the House of Representatives met this morning the question of the stoppage of clearing work on the Ashburton River was raised by Mr T. D. Burnett (Opposition—Temuka) in an urgent question to the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong. Mr Burnett said that work had been stopped with only 60 per cent completed and he asked the Minister when it would be started again. Mr Armstrong, in reply, said the report and estimate of the cost of the completion of the scheme was in hand and when it was completed he would consult his colleagues regarding the early completion of the major scheme. Meanwhile he was considering the possibility of a small additional grant to enable work already completed to be rendered effective. In another urgent question to Mr Armstrong, Mr Burnett asked if he would tell the people of South Canterbury when the remaining areas of 160,000 acres of the Downlands water supply scheme would have reticulation finished. Mr Armstrong said that, due to the prevailing war conditions he was unable to say when the remaining areas would be finished, but every effort would be made to proceed with the scheme as fast as conditions permitted. The remainder of the morning session was devoted to tributes to deecased legislators. Mr C. E. MacMillan’s Services In moving a vote of appreciation of the services, and sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr C. E. MacMillan, who for many years was Member for Tauranga, and was an ex-Minister of Agriculture and Mines, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, said he had been a close personal friend of many members on both sides of the House and everyone held him in the highest respect and regard. He was recognised as a painstaking private member and a very able administrator, probably one of the ablest Ministers, who had occupied office under the Crown. Mr S. G. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, who seconded the motion, associated himself with the tribute which had been paid to Mr MacMillan by Mr Fraser. The late Mr MacMillan, he said, would always be remembered as a kindly, big-hearted gentleman. They had lost a true friend in his passing, but they were richer in the experience they had gained through his friendship. After several other members had spoken in appreciation of Mr MacMillan’s service, the motion was carried. Similar resolutions were also passed in connection with the deaths of Mr C. H. Poole, a former member for Auckland West, Mr A. E. Ansell, a former member for Chalmers, Mr T. Forsyth, a former member for Wellington East, and Sir John Sinclair, of Dunedin, a former member of the Legislative Council.