LENGTH OF THE SESSION

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21285, 3 October 1934, Page 12

LENGTH OF THE SESSION

♦- --- ■ Prime Minister Questioncd HINT OV ADJOURNMENT T) NEXT YEAR IFivni Our I'iirliaiiiin'i !■; llvi-oilcr. I WELLINGTON October 2. The factors governing the length of the remainder of the session were outlined by the Prinv Minister (the Jit. Hon. G. W. Forbes), replying to a question by the leader of the Opposition (Mr M. J. Savage) in the House of Representatives to-night. Mr Forbes moved for urgency for dx classes of es'Jmjtcs, and remarked that it was desirab'e to get through the work of the s.ssion in good time. "Perhaps you could te.l us what truth there is in newspaper statements that we will rise at the end of this month," said Mr Savage. "I cannot say that any tiling has been decided," replied Mr Forbes. "We are still waiting for two very important commissions to report. Those reports may require a good deal of legislation; but we are no' yet aware whether that will be so. This may determine whether or not we may an adjournment to enable the country to have knowledge of the reports before we start on legislation." The Prime Minister did not elaborate the future programme: but Irs remarks generally supp rt a suggestion made some time ago that Parliament will meet again early next year to deal with Ihe remainder of the dairying legislation. It is the first time Mr Forbes has given colour to that possibility, and il seem.i fairly certain that endeavours wnl be made to complete the immediate I business by about the end of the month, alter which an adjournment will be taken unlil eariv next year, thus obviating the necessity for going through the preliminaries incidental to the opening of a special session.

DAIRYING INDUSTRY j LEGISLATION j KKPOUT AM) HILL TO AI'i'KAUJ TOKKTHKII ; i " ! 1'.,V.-S VS.-mi !A I l''\ 1 I'.M.'.R'- ■'.' i WELLINGTON, October 2. There is every probability that the Government will take steps to adjourn the present session of Parliament at the end of October and call the legislature together again in February. Alternative courses of action have been under ministerial consideration, unci a plan involving a three months' adjournment definitely appeals to the leaders of the Coalition. The Prime Minister (the Hi. lion. G. W. Forbes), when interviewed, made it clear that legislation would be presented concerning the dairv industry simultaneously with the publication of the commission's report. The issue was so vital that h was necessary that the country should thorough!" understand all the reasons behind the proposals. That could be attained only if the report and the bill appeared together. In addition, it was only fair that the industry should have the right to make subsequent representations to the Government, and his present estimate was that at least a month would be required for that purpose. Another influence toward a three. months' adjournment is that the consultations concerning a meat I ouota will not be completed by the end of the month, and the third is that the Native Affairs Commission i will not be reporting before Oeio- ! bcr 20. Other legislation that will require i a good deal of attention. Mr Forbes agreed, was the establishment of a National Mortgage Corporation. He also said that if it were decided to adjourn for three months it might be possible to deal with superannuation, as well as the Mortgage Corporation scheme, in February. Further reasons being canvassed in the lobbies are the Melbourne Ccntenarv celebrations, the visit of the Duke of Gloucester, end the possibility that a ministerial delegation mav yet go to Melbourne to consider at first hand questions that will arise in the initiation of negotiations for a new trade agreement between New Zealand and 1 Australia.