THE SESSION

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 148, 25 June 1934, Page 10

THE SESSION

OPENING QN THURSDAY

WOKE FOR MEMBERS

IMPORTANT TOPICS

- Questions of outstanding importance will engage the attention of members of Parliament during the session to open 'on Thursday next. Under ordinary circumstances the session wquld have been the last of the present Parliament, but in 1932 the House of Representatives voted itself an extension of one year, on the ground that political stability was essential in order to combat the effects of the economic depression. Next year the House will be in no mood for serious work, as eyes 'will be turning towards the electorates, and for that reason the Government will endeavour to accomplish as much as possible'during the.coming session. The. programme is certainly a big one, and although the Prime Minister .has expressed the view that it should be possible to complete the business by October it seems likely that it will be difficult to keep to that estimate. .

Believing that, it has the ball at its feet, tyie Labour Party is bound to make every post a winning post during the session, and the Government might find it-difficult to push ahead with the business as quickly as it desires. The \ddress-in-Keply debate will provide the Opposition 'with its first, real-op-portunity of launching it's attack' on the occupants of the Treasury benches, and it is expected that it will avail itself to the full of that opportunity. The Standing Orders permit a member to bos the political compass during his Address-in-Rcply speech, ' but on this occasion Labour, may choose to concentrate on-the Government's action in extending the life of Parliament. .During the recess Labour spokesmen made no secret of the fact that'the Opposition is entering upon tho session with the one object of forcing an appeal to the country at what the Opposition considers to.be the right time—November next. Tho subject will probably have a prominent places in the no-con-fidence amendment which is bound to be proposed by" the'Labour Leader^Mr. M. J. Savage). During the recess Mr. Savage has been touring tho country, and at practically every meeting a motion has been carried calling oif tho Government .to face tho electors this year. Whether these'motions represent the feeling of the'electorates as a whole it is impossible to say, but Labour will probably claim that" they do. Unfortunately for Labour, its voting strength in the House is only twenty-four, so it,-will have a difficult task in persuading Parliament t to reverse its decision of two years ago. Whatever happens, the Address-in-Reply dobate is bound to provide some lively moments. TARIFF REVISION. When the Address-in-Beply debate is out of the way, members will be asked to turn their attention 'to a complete revision of the tariff. ■ Although there have been several changes in- Customs duties during the last few years, there has 'been no complete overhaul since 1927.' On that occasion it took tho House about .two months to complete the task, and this year, with bigger issues .involved, it is sure to take quite as long, and probably longer.' At tho Ottawa Conference New-Zealand gave an undertaking that the tariff would be reviewed, and in keeping with that undertaking a Royal Commission1 was set up. The Commission completed its work some months ago, and since then the Government has been considering its recommendations. It is anticipated that the amended, schedules will .be ready for 'early presentation to tho House. They will, make their appearance in the form of CustQms resolutions, which, must be adopted at one sitting and before the Custom' Houses open for business on the following"1 morning. After the adoption of the resolutions it is customary to allow, somo weeks to elapse before legislation' is introduced to give statutory effect to the changes. This is done to enable interested parties to make representations to the Government. "With tho introduction of the Customs Amendment Bill Ihero begins a-minute examination of every item on the schedules, and it is' (his stage that occupies so, much time. BUDGET .HOPES. The presentation of the Budget this year will be awaited with keen interest, especially in view of the improved position disclosed in the year's figures.

It is expected that the Minister of Finance.(the Bt, Hon., J. G. Coates) will give^some.indication of the possibility of relieving taxpayers of some portion. ; of the, load they are carrying, although<it is doubtful whether the relief will: come -during the current year. , T . x.. "■■-.■■■ '■-. ,■- -■ ■■.."■, ' . public servants will also be looking for a reference by the Minister to the Government's intentions in regard to the restoration -of wage cuts. In his public utterances since, the ■ closing of the financial year Mr: Coates has not held out any/great hope of ' a "general restoration,.but it would riot be surprising if provision was made intheßudget for some small relief for the lowerpaid State, .employees.. The ■presentation of the Budget-will probably follow the tariff' resolutions arid the de'-'l bate which ensues will provido members with another' opportunity of renewing the policy, of the Government. I ■During the recess; several commissions and committees have been sitting, arid their reports' will be presented'to the House during ?th&'jspssioii. Of. those probably the most .■■,■. important' is the Commission which is investigating the economic-condition of the dairying industry.l ■.•• The Commission has already been, sitting for: some time, and there is still much-,work for it. to do, so it appears unlikely that the report will be placed before : Parliament until tne middle of August, unless an interim report bearing on the most important aspects of the question is shortly after the beginning of the session. After the report: is presented it will be for_ the Government 'to. consider what legislation is required to give effect to its recommendations. The legislation may be expected to give riso to considerable debate. ~ , The special recess1 committee which carried out an investigation 'of the cinematograph industry has already reported and "legislation' giving effect, to its recommendations is at present being drafted. This will be in charge of the Minister of : Internal Affairs (the Hon. J.A.-.Young). The proposal^ of the committee deal very :largely with the, internal workings *of the motion-picture industry, and the public interest in the legislation will not be great. 'The special committee which has been carrying out an exhaustive inquiry into the monetary system is now meeting in Wellington to prepare its'report, and it is expected that the report will be ready for the House within the first

few weeks of the session.- The report will probably be a lengthy andinteresting document, but whether- the Government will go as far as preparing legislation is extremely doubtful. It ..will no doubt grant facilities for a discussion of the report and let it rest at that. The Native Affairs Commission has not yet concluded its sittings, and its report is v not expected for some little time. '. ♦ •'.":■ ■ • • ' ■ SUPERANNUATION ; FUNDS.'.. Apart from tho subjects to which reference has been, made above, the legislative programmo will,; not be a heavy one, and'the -Bills ■ which tho Government contemplates proceeding with should not give, rise to. a great deal of controversy, with tho exception possibly of the Government Superannuation funds Amendment Bill. When a Bill dealing with tho superannuation funds was introduced two sessions ago it was assailed on all" sides and eventually the Government decided to defer the measure. Since then discussions have taken place-between tho Government and representatives of Government service organisations, apparently without much headway being padc. The nature of tho Bill which the Government will introduce this' session has not been disclosed, but it will probably differ somewhat from its predecessor. Strong representations have been made to tho 'Government by Labour, organisations asking that thoi'3 'should be an amendment of the. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration. Act so as. to give unions the right to approach the Arbitration Court for a general order restoring the 10 per cent, cut in .wages, but the Government, it is believed, is not anxious to have the 1.0. and A. Act thrown, open for discussion this session. There may be some machinery amendments in the Apprentices Act, and there will be an Unemployment Amendment Bill, the main object of which will be to remove anomalies which have been found to exist under the present law. RENT RESTRICTION. Tho rent restriction legislation will be extended for a.'further year. There will be ho Land Laws Bill this session, but thero will be some machinery amendments to tho Small Farms (Relief of Unemployment) Act. In addition tho Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) has under consideration a Bill designed to provide for tho protection of Native plants. Other Bills which are expected to make their appearance during the_ session are measures dealing with mining questi6ns and the control of poisons.