Members Asked To Expedite Business

Press, Volume C, Issue 29599, 23 August 1961, Page 14

Members Asked To Expedite Business

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Aug. 22. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) today called for the co-operation of Government and Opposition members in expediting legislation before the House of Representatives. “We have been sitting two months and have only passed one bill,’’ he told members. He suggested less time be spent on formal debates, such as the Budget, and more for the bills—•some 33 facing the House this session. “We have had 26 speakers in the Budget debate and the party whips say it could go to Thursday of next week,” he said. “Frankly, I think that is too long. We could reduce the number of speakers or the time for each speaker.” He said he hoped the first three bills on the order paper could be dealt with by next Wednesday. These were the Dairy Production and RJarketitng Board Bill, the Monetary and Economic Council Bill and the Public Revenues Amendment Bill.

all set down for second readings. The Dairy Commission had asked that the first bill be passed before the month’s end, said Mr Holyoake. The other two had been introduced by the Minister of Finance (Mr Lake) who leaves for overseas on August 31.

Mr Holyoake said he had to organise the work of the House in the interest of all members. It was best to agree on the order of legislation and the allocation of the time available, he said. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) noted that 42 members spoke on last year's Budget, whereas only 26 had done so this session. "I don’t want to see this important privilege curtailed,” he said. Mr Nash agreed that the Dairy Production and Marketing Board Bill be dealt with as suggested, but he did not see the urgency for the Monetary and Economic Council Bill. Mr Nash added that there were some features in the Public Revenues Amendment Bill which were of interest to Mr Lake.

Mr Nash said he wanted to discuss Mr Holyoake’s suggestions fully with Opposition members before further discussion. This would be done on Thursday, although immediate thought would be given to the suggestions, he said.