POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19115, 26 September 1927, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES

[TEE PRESS Special Service.]

WELLINGTON, September 25.

Two Big Labour Bills.

This week, in tho absence of the Party Leaders and several members of Parliament at Eaglan, it is not expected that any very contentious matter -will be dealt with in the House of Kepresentatives.

The amendments to tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act may be expected soon. It is said that the measure is causing the Minister for Labour (Mr Anderson) some concern and it would not bo surprising if. its production is deferred for a littlo while longer. Mr Anderson also has on his hands the Shops and Offices Amending Bill, which was taken into Committee last week, and on which progress was reported, after tho short title had been adopted. There aro so many conflict* ing opinions concerning both of these Bills, and hints of so many possible amendments m Committee, that they may be expected to take some timq in getting through the House. It is no secret that some members of tho Government Party arc opposed to the Minister in a few of his suggestions. Railway Statement.

The Railway Statement is ready to come before tho House, aim -will prob. 1 - ably be presented on Tuesday. Endcavours are being made to have the report,' tabled without debate in the first stance, the discussion to bo taken latefcY' Such an arrangement will bo of advan*!" tage to mombers, for when reports aro/.'f presented they usually have to debate', them in the dark, the contents not being' ;/> available for circulation until after tlw House has agreed to the motion that the" report be printed. - - {•; The Marine Department's report will be the last of the big reports to come, 1 ' before the House, and then thero will \it; the Public Works Statement. 1 It is expected that next Friday will see the passing of the last of the Estimates, and with this formidable task completed that day will again become available for the discussion of furthef items on the Government's programme of legislation for the session. The Tariff. One of the busiest Ministers just noir i is the Minister for Customs (Mr W, Downie Stewart), who is being daily f besieged by public and private deputa* tionß, who are urging him to revise "'- again his new tariff schedule. There . is ground for the belief that the Minis* ,/, ter will make readjustments in some directions, and if this proves to be the, , case some further tariff resolutions and . schedules will be brought before the, House. When these are out of the way 1 .. the path will be clear for the introduo- ■ tion of the Customs Bill, which will make the revised tariff an Act of Pat* liament. It is on the Bill that the pro- ~ , posals are debated. In some quarters ■" tho belief is expressed that the ,8111 will be passed quickly, and with very ~; little debate. Other circles, ~-> i point to the numerous representation* < l " which are being made to the Minister. '-, They prophesy a long and ardous discus- •> s ■** Bion ' ____ \H