THE TALKING SESSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 10 July 1928, Page 10

THE TALKING SESSION.

PRE-ELECTION SPEECHES.

REFORM TACTICS CHANGED.

REPLIES TO LABOUR CRITICISM. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Address-in-Reply debate in the House of Representatives will open its tfecond week to-day, and may easily continue until the following week, as there is a change in the tactics of the Government members. Hitherto they have been fairly content to hear the Labour Opposition criticise at great length, several speakers from that side of the House being allowed to follow one another until the talk "ran down." This is a preelection session, and the Government Whips are evidently advising their supporters not to allow any criticism to pass without a prompt answer. Thus, for every Opposition speaker there is one from the right, with the result that the session provides a prospect of nearly dotlble the talk. As the Government's legislative programme is not intended to be heavy, the new plan will not prolong the session. London and New Zealand Bank. There is curiosity in the lobbies as to the Government's attitude towards the new banking association, which will ask Parliament this session, through the medium of a private bill, for power to begin operations in New Zealand. The mover, Mr. J. G. Eliott, member for Oroua, is emphatic that the whole matter is a business one, and not connected with ' special activities relating to farmers' ! finance. The general opinion is that 1 although the Government is so largely interested in the Bank of New Zealand '■ it - will not object to further banking ' facilities, but will content itself with ' ensuring that the new concern provides ' the same safeguards to depositors as by I legislation and regulations are im- ■ posed on existing concerns. The London and. New Zealand Bank Bill antioipates this requirement, judging by a schedule containing Us articles of association.