GALLERY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 242, 11 September 1929, Page 6

GALLERY NOTES

DAY IN PARLIAMENT. HOROAYHENUA ROAD AVORKS. (By Telegraph .-Special to Standard.) AVELLINGTON, Sept. 10. In the House of Representatives today Mr AV. H. Field (Otaki) gave notice to ask the Minister of Public AVorks whether the necessary money will be quickly made available to enable the Horowhenua County Council to carry on their plans for the completion and paving of the final eighteen miles in the Horowhenua County of the main AA’ellington-Auckland highway. Mr Field stated that, unless this" money is provided at once, over 100 men will be thrown out of employment, and valuable plant and a large sum of loan money bearing interest and sinking fund will be idle. WH AKAREAV ARE AV A. The sordid amenities of AYhakarewarewa have for a long time been a byword in Is r cw Zealand and ot comment among tourists. In the House of Representatives to-day Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates asked for intormation on the subject. The place, he said shou d be cleared up and made a model village. He had noticed that the small sum of £l5O was on the estimates for the preliminary cost of preparation for the scheme. He had always been concerned over this matter. The amount on the estimates was not enough. Sir Apirana Ngata expressed his desire to see a model village established at AVhakarewarewa. An estimate had been given for ’a type of model house, but it was the general opinion that it was too high. The amount suggested was £BOO, but lie thought it would bo possible to erect a house that would be quite picturesque for £2OO or £3OO. Thev need not at this stage consider the "question of partitions to which the Maori people were not yet accustomed; that might be done later. During the discussion it was mentioned that the town planner’s estimate for the £BOO native dwellings included enamelled baths and this statement caused some laughter. The Leader of the Labour Party mentioned the fact that the model pah at AVhakarewarewa was held together by European nails, and that there was a European tree growing in front of it. AVELLINGTON RAIL AY AY STATION. ' Mr Field lias expressed the opinion that the new AA T ellington railway station will not be erected at Davis Street. He says that the people who have been travelling for years on the Manawatu line have been waiting patiently for the time to come when they will be carried to a central station in the city, Bunny Street having been long ago selected. NAVAL AND DEFENCE ESTIMATES Mr P. Fraser (AA’ellington Central), discussing the naval and defence estimates to-night, complained that Parliament was being asked to pass votes though they had not yet been submitted to the public accounts committee. This was, lie believed, the first instance in which the defence estimates had not been so submitted. He noticed several increases in this year's estimates and it was evident that the Minister (Hon. T. M. AYilford) had “put it across” the other Ministers. He had battled for his own department and lie had got away with it. The House should not pass these estimates without a close scrutiny. Tlio issues should be submitted to the democratic control of the Jiouse of Representatives. In item after item it would be found that there was an increase. In some instances the items were doubled, and yet they could not get money for social purposes. Hon. T. M. AA’ilford explained that the Diomede and the Dunedin would have to go Home for repairs which would cost £60,000 in each case, but the Home Government would make certain allowances in connection with this matter. Mr li. E. Holland said that the time had come when the Defence estimates should be substantially decreased. He expressed the hope that the Singapore Base would bo abandoned.

Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates asked whether steps had been taken to have closer co-operation between the air force and naval and land defence.

Mr D. Jones (Mid-Canterbury) said that the estimates had to be submitted to the Public Accounts Committee. They had not been so submitted and therefore the whole position was entirely irregular. Mr Barnard (Napier) wanted to know what assistance would bo given to the encouragement of •the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. In Napier there was a desire to set up a branch of the R.N.V.R. They had an experienced instructor whose services could be secured and there was a large wool shed- at Port Ahuriri that wouTd serve as a drill hall.

Hon. T. M. AVillord said that a committee had been set up to decide what Auckland should contribute to the enlargement of the Calliope Dock. The dock at present could take in the cruisers, but not our big cargo and passenger steamers such as the Rangitiliei. A committee had just been set up consisting of a member of the Treasury, a member of the Public AVorks Department, a member from the Naval Service, and the Solicitor-General. In regard to the new contract, the Government had already been in touch with the Admiralty as to what thev wanted. In regard to the R.N.ALR., they were going to provide for three companies this year. This matter would be referred to Cabinet. There were 420 men now enrolled and there was authority for 500.