PARLIAMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 264, 5 October 1933, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

AMENDMENTS DEFEATED

NO-CONFIDENCE AND HIGH EXCHANGE

By comfortable margins in both cases, the Government, in the House of Representatives yesterday, survived the amendments of no-confidence and on the high exchange issue moved respectively by the Leader of the Opposition and Mr It. A. Wright. There were several interesting features in the voting, among them being Mr I). McDougall’s alliance with the Labour Party.

A further amendment, moved by Mr P. Fraser and advocating a general election, was under discussion when the House rose.

HIGH EXCHANGE KATE. BENEFITS ILLUSTRATED. EFFECT ON SAVINGS BANK

Against the Amendment (43). Ansell, A. E. Kyle 11. S. S. Bitchcner, J. Liiildatcr, J. Bodkin, W. A. Lye, K. Broadfoot, W. J. McLeod, A. D. Burnett, T. D. McSkimming, P. Campbell, H. McL. Macmillan, C. E. Coates, J. G. Maophcrson, J. A. Cobbe, J. G. Massey, J. N. Connolly, J. Massey.. W. VV. Dc La l’errcllo, P. A. Murdoch, A. ,T. Dickie, H. G. Nash, J. A. Endean, W. P. Ngata, Sir Apiraua Field, W. 11. Poison, W. J. Forbes, G. W. Ransom, E. A. Hamilton, A. Reid, D. S. Hargest, J. Samuel, A. M. Hawke, R. W. Smith, S. G. Hoaly, E. F. Stuart, A. Henare, T. bykes, *-'• Jr., Holland, LI. To Tomo J aito Holyoakc, J. K. Young, J. A. dull, A. E. A THIRD MOVE.

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Oct. 4

The Address-in-Reply debate was continued in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Mr R. Semple, who said the application of scientific methods to industry was driving men int.o idleness. No effort had been made to organise industry in keeping with the march of science. Mr J. Hargest said the raising of the exchange rate had had a good effect on industry. He quoted the case of a stocking factory in Wellington which had recently been on the verge of bankruptcy and which was now doing well as a result of the extra protection against Australian and American, manufactures. There was also the case of a similar firm in Southland which had re-opened after the exchange rate had been raised. The timber industry had been affected beneficially and a dairy factory in Southland had been. able to pay 800 small suppliers a bonus of over Id per lb. over the whole of the season. During the past five years. Post Office Savings Banks withdrawals had been exceeding deposits with monotonous regularity, but four months after the raising of the exchange there had been an excess of deposits, and during the last five months the deposits had exceeded the withdrawals by over £872,000. This sum did not represent the savings of the wealthy, because the average deposit was £l4 a year. It demonstrated that the working people had benefited. Referring to the controversy over the payment of interest on the Southland Power Board’s loan, Mr Hargest said he desired to put the case for the board, which was not the custodian of the country’s credit and had not been responsible for the raising of the 1 exchange. At the time the bonds had been issued it had occurred to neither party that there would be any substantial variation in the rates of exchange, or some gold clause would have been inserted in the agreement. He pointed out that the bonds had been issued in Invercargill and the board had contracted to pay interest on one hundred pounds and not on one hundred pounds sterling. It was prepared to submit its case to the Privy Council, and if the decision went against it, it would “pay up like a shot.” Meantime, however, he contended the hoard could not he expected to pay to establish the country’s credit. That was the country’s job. Mr C. H. Chapman expressed the opinion that the cost of raising the exchange rate to New Zealand over 12 months would be £12,000,000. One effect of the increase had been a reduction in imports. Air Hargest: It gave the secondary industries a chance.

Mr Fraser then moved to add the following words to the Address-in-Re-ply motion:

That this House affirms that, in view of the nation-wide dissatisfaction with the administration of Your Excellency’s advisers, Parliament should be dissolved and a general election called without delay.

Laughter came from the Government benches. Mr Eraser said the amendment would give an opportunity for a straight-out vote in regard to the Government’s policy and called lor a, dissoiution, and was the opinion of an overwhelming majority oi the electors in this country. No matter what electorate might be vacated at the present time, tlie Government would have to fight for its life to win it, and in saying that he was putting things moderately. The Government had no right to sit on the Treasury benches and it had acted unconstitutionally by extending its term of office for a year. In effect, lie contended it had purloined another year of office without asking for a mandate, in spite of the fact that the Minister of 'Finance had gone down to Christchurch and with great personal exertion had stated that the Government had a mandate from the people. Mr A. E. Jull said he was satisfied that if another election were held immediately it would simply mean that the Government would be returned to office with a further mandate and endorsement of its policy. He still favoured the increased exchange rate. As long as Australia had a 25 per cent, rate, New Zealand would have to be very guarded about altering her own rate. He considered that the Government should make a statement to the effect that the exchange rate would not be reduced for a long time, and when it was, it should be reduced very slowly, say 5 per cent, at first and then perhaps 2£ per cent.

Mr W. E. Barnard said the excess of the Post Office Savings Bank withdrawals over deposits during the three years ended March, 1933, had demonstrated the very heavy burden the Governmfent’s legislation had placed upon the poorer classes of the community. The debate was interrupted by the rising of the House at 10.30 p.m. CHILDREN WITH MEASLES. SCHOOL REGULATIONS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 4. Replying in the House of Representatives this afternoon to Mr A. Harris, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes outlined the regulations governing the attendance at school of children suffering from measles or those exposed to measles. Ho said a copy of the regulations was in the possession of every headmaster. In regard to the period of exclusion from school of children suffering from measles, the regulations provided for a period of at least two weeks from the date of appearance of rash and until convalescence was satisfactorily established. In respect of children exposed to measles, the period of exclusion was as follows: (1) If the child had had the disease, not to be excluded, with the exception that if the disease was not an epidemic, all children from the infected home were to be excluded from school until 16 days from the occurrence of the last case; (2) if the child had not had the diseaes, until 16 days from the occurrence of the last case; (3) if the disease was not epidemic when the first cases occurred in a school, all children from the infected home were to be excluded from the school until 16 days from the occurrence of the last case. He said it would be seen that the headmasters concerned were already acting strictly in accordance with the regulations. They had nothing to gain by forcing children to go to school in order to maintain the attendance, because due allowance for epidemics of any kind was made by the Education Department. PROVISION FOR INVALIDS. PENSION SCHEME ADVOCATED, Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 4. Introducing the Invalid Pensions Bill in the House of Representatives, this afternoon, Mr J. O’Brien said he quite realised that, as it involved the appropriation of public money, it would be impossible for it to be passed through the House as a private member’s Bill. He therefore urged the Government to take the measure up, even if it went no further than to establish the principle of a pension for invalidity. The Bill provided for the payment of a pension up to £1 for invalids, with an additional 10s for children dependent on them. He pointed out that the call on hospital board funds was now heavier than ever, and it was the duty of the Government to enable invalids to live without the necessity for charity. Invalid pensions were in existence in Australia and the Old Country, and there was no reason why New Zealand should lag behind. Mr A‘. M. Samuel said that when, in the past, he had advocated pensions for invalids he had been told what such scheme would cost the country. It was deplorable that the suffering of invalids and the women and children de-

Mr Chapman contended that secondary industries had not benefited. On the contrary, they had been placed at a disadvantage through having to pay extra exchange on materials which they had to import in order to manufacture. He submitted that the only way in which prosperity could be restored was to raise wages, ■ and in this respect America had given a lead to the world. The divisions on the no-confidence amendment moved by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland) and that subsequently moved by Mr R. A. Wright in connection with the exchange issue, were then taken. HOW THE VOTING WENT. The House first divided on the question as to whether the reasons detailed by Mr Holland should be omitted or retained. These were struck out by 46 votes to 27, the division list being as follows: Against the amendment (46). Ansell, A. E. Kyle. H. S. S. Bitchener, J. Linklatcr, J. Bodkin, W. A. Lye, F. Broadfoot, W. J. McLeod, A. D. Burnett, T. D. McSkimming, P. Campbell, 11. McL. Macmillan, C. E. Coates, J. G. Macpherson, J. A. Cobbe, J. G. Massey, J. N. Connolly, J. Massey, W. W.

De La Pcrrelle, P. A. Murdoch, A. J. Dickie, H. G. Nash, J. A. Endean, W. P. Ngata, Sir Apirana Field, W. H. Poison, W. J. Forbes, G. W. Ransom, E. A. Hamilton, A. Reid, D. S. Hargest, J. Samuel, A. M. Harris, A. Smith, S. G. Hawke, R. W. Stuart, A. Healy, E. F. Sykes, G. R. Henare, T. To Tomo, Taite Holland, H. Veitch, W. A. Holyoake, J. K. Wright, R. A. Jull, A. E. Young, J. A. For the Amendment (27). Atmore, 11. McKecn, R. Barnard, W. E. Mason, 11. G. R. Carr, C. Munro, J. W. Chapman, C. H. O’Brien, .1. Coleman, D. W. Parry, \V. E. Fraser, P. Richards, A. S. Holland, li. E. Rushworth, H. M. Howard, E. J. Savage, M. J. -Jones, F. Schramm, F. W. Jordan, W. E. Semple, R. Langstono, F. Stall worthy, A. J. Lee, J. A. Sullivan, D. G. McCombs, Mrs E. R. Wilkinson, C. A. McDougall, D.

Mr Holland’s reasons for expressing no-confidence in the Government having been struck out, the House then voted on Mr Wright’s amendment, which read as follows: “And believing that manipulation of exchange is inimical to the public interests, this House desires a return to a free exchange uncontrolled by the Government and without compensation to the banks.” Tlie voting on this amendment, which was defeated by 43 votes to 30, was as follows: For the Amendment (30). Atmore, H. McKecn, R. Barnard, W. E. Mason, H. G. R. Carr, C. Miinro, J. W. Chapman, C. 11. O’Brien, J. Coleman, D. W. Parry, W. E.. Fraser, P. Richards. A. S. TTnvrL* A Rushworth, H. M. Holland, H. E. Savage, M J. Howard, E. J. Schramm F. W. Tones F. Semple, R. Jordan, W. J- Stab worthy A. J. Langstono, F.- Sullivan, D. G. Lee J, A. Veitch, W. A. McCombs, Mrs E. R. Wilkinson, C. A. McDougall, D. Wright, R. A,.

pendent upon them should be measured in callous terms of pounds, shillings, and pence. If the state of the country’s finances rendered it impossible to pay these pensions, it was incumbent on the Government to introduce some form of insurance that would make it possible. Ho hoped the appeal would strike a tender note in hearts that up till now had ben frigidly callous on the subject. Mr W. E. Parry said that Mr O’Brien deserved to be congratulated for his persistence in bringing this Bill forward every session. it should have been passed into law many years ago, and there was even more necessity for it now in consequence of the depression. Mrs E. R. McCombs said that no measure created greater interest among charitable institutions than Mr O’Brien’s Bill. Charitable institutions and benevolent committees of hospital boards looked with some anxiety towards the House to see what was to be the late of tlie appeals made on the subject. It was regrettable in a Christian community that women whose husbands were laid aside by illness should have to appeal to charity to enable them to keep life in the bodies of themselves and their children. Only those who had been present when appeals were being made knew liow terrible was the ordeal through which these women had to go. Messrs Barnard, Mason, Sullivan, Atmore, Chapman, Stallworthy. Jones, Howard, Semple, Richards and Coleman also spoke in support of the Bill. COALITION SYMPATHY. Mr H. S. Kyle said he was sympathetic towards tlie measure, but he wanted to know why it had not been put on tlie Statute Book when the Labour Party was keeping tlie United Party in power. Mr S. G. Smith said he resented the suggestion that members of- the Government Party had no sympathy for those who were suffering. He was' in favour of something being done to help invalids. Hon, J. G. Cobbe said lie was sympathetic toward tlie object of the Bill, but could not see Ills way to involve tlie country in such expenditure at the present time. At a more favourable time lie would be pleased to introduce such a measure. He asserted that the Government was not lacking in humanitarian feeling, but it was a question of finance. Pensions were at present costing tlie country over £3,000,000, and invalid pensions would bring the total to £4,000,000. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland) said that in 1930 the Minister had indicated that invalid pensions would cost £400,000. It could hardly be expected that the number had now been doubled. The only argument against the Bill was the old one that money could not be found, but it was peculiar that money could always be found for other purposts. It would be better to withhold the annual payment towards the Singapore naval base, so that the money could lie spent on invalid pensions. The Bill was read the first time. B CLASS RADIO STATIONS. MINISTER TO MAKE STATEMENT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 4. In the House of Representatives today, Mr F. Jones asked whether it was correct that the Postmaster-. General had stated that after the expiry of their licenses on March 31, 1934, B class stations would not bo permitted to broadcast sponsored programmes. Hon. A. Hamilton replied that the statement was correct. He would shortly make a statement to the House on the subject of B stations. MEMBER FOR MATAURA. POSITION QUESTIONED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 4. Asked what was Mr McDougall’s position in consequence of his having voted for the Labour Party’s no-con-fidence amendment, the Prime Minister said that was a question for Mr McDougall to decide. He knew what the consequences of his action must be. Asked whether Mr McDougall would be invited to further caucus meetings of the Coalition Party, Mr Forbes said Mr McDougall would probably not expect to be invited. Invited to state his position, Mr McDougall said that as long as the Government maintained wheat restrictions on the farmers of Southland, he would vote against it, but if it removed the restrictions, lie would vote with it. The fact that lie had voted with Labour to-night did not mean lie would support Labour in everything.