THE SESSION

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24027, 16 August 1943, Page 4

THE SESSION

END OP BUSINESS NOW IN SIGHT OPPOSITION’S ATTITUDE TO LAND SALES BILL From Our Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, August 15. _ . The special session of Parliament is likely to end on August 26, and it is now thought by members that it will be possible to complete the business without the House of Representatives having to sit both on Saturday and the following Monday, though this course may be necessary. Some Government members think that the second reading and debate on the Servicemen’s Settlement and Land Sales Bill may end on Wednesday, and that the bill will pass through its final stages on Thursday night, or rather early on Friday morning. This prediction, however, may be unduly optimistic. There is no indication that the bill will not be proceeded with. There is a remote possibility that after the week-end in their electorates, Government members may wish it to be left until after the election, but they had ample time before it was introduced to form their opinions of its probable reception by the electors, and it js hardly likely that they will change them. The Opposition’s attitude to the bill is unchanged, and they will probably divide the House on the second reading and in the committee stages, where they will seek amendments. However, in view of the closeness of the election, they are unlikely to waste time lighting a dogged rearguard action merely to emphasise objections which they will already have made clear, and put on record in divisions. Similarly, their opposition to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill will be clearly demonstrated, without using time to no purpose other than to shorten what will be in any case for country members a short campaign. It will be remembered that at the end of the 1935 session, when the present Government was in opposition, a large number of measures were passed with the Labour Party not trying fruitlessly to delay them, but making its position clear. Other business of this session is not expected to take long, although there may be some items in a Statutes Amendment Bill with which the Opposition will not agree. The protracted consideration of the main estimates will probably end this Tuesday.