PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18724, 22 June 1926, Page 9

PARLIAMENT.

IMPREST BILL TO-DAY* THEN DAYS OF TALK. (efXCI&I. TO TH3 PKXB6J WELLINGTON, June 81. To-morrow afternoon Parliament wiX discuss the first Imprest Snpply Bill of the session. After some ordinary formal business has been taken, the Bill will be put through all its stages, bo that the necessary money will be available for State Departments to carry on. A wide scope is allowed in the debating of Imprest Bills. Once this Bill has been got out of the way, tie Address-in-Reply debate will follow on Wednesday evening. An amendment tantamount to a vote of noconfidence in the Government will be moved by Mr H. E. Holland, the Leader of the Labour Party, now his Majesty's Opposition. A vigorous general attack on Government policy and administration may be expected, with especial emphasis on the present unemployment question. The Address-in-Reply debate la usually responsible for a great waste of the time of Parliament, as members are Inclined to repeat their election speeches and serve them up to their fellowmembers and the long suffering ptfblic One of the Australian Parliaments puts a limit of tour days on an Address-in-Reply debate, and there is a growing feeling that a similar limit should be imposed here, because after the principal speakers have their say the Houso becomes more like a County Council 01 a Road Board in the references that are made to minor, wants in the electorates. 80 long as the Standing Orders remain as at present, however, it is impossible to check the flow of small talk that goes on during an Address-in-Reply debate. The question may be taken up seriously when necessary and overdue amendments in the Standing Orders are being dealt with.