RAPID PROGRESS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2527, 30 July 1915, Page 3

RAPID PROGRESS

A UNIQUE SESSION

The impression which is abroad that Parliament has been wasting its time tliis session was corrected by the-Prime Minister in tlio House of Representatives yesterday, after a list of nine Bills which had received tho assent of His Majesty's representative had been received by Jlr. Speaker. 'Mr. Massoy said that lie wished to correct an impression, possibly created by newspaper paragraphs, that Parliament was wasting a great deal of timo during, the current session. Such was not the case. Never at the present period of any session, in his experience, had so many Bills passed into law. Nine measures were already dealt with, and there were probably .eight or nine others awaiting the Governor's signature. Sir Joseph Ward: That shows what it is to have an amiable Opposition. (Laughter.) In his experience ho had never ■ known anything liko it, and he wished to congratulate the members of the Opposition) and also, indeed, tlio members of the Government on the restraint they had placed .on their talkative powers. (Laughter.) The 6essiori was so far unique. The Opposition recognised that' it was its first duty to he.p tho Government with legislation with the war, and it had assisted in thopassago of such Bills because it desired to have them done with. If the Prime Minister would bring down the Budget, the War Taxation Bill, the Railways Statement, arid tho Public Works Statement, careful consideration would be given to the whole of the proposals. Ho did not Bay that the Opposition could let them go through quito so fast as others had gone, but it was anxious to have them with tho object of assisting to get -Jib work done in the best way, and in the best interests of the country. Mr. Massey said ho appreciated the. fact that this session there had teen no obstruction from members on the other side of (he House, and much assistance had been, given. All that was wonted to make the session perfect was that the Leader of the Opposition should restrain himself and not do so much talking-—. (Laughter.) Ho did not think there was any doubt that the Financial Statement would be brought down on Tuesday! As soon as it was off, the Bill providing for wav taxation would be. introduced and laid before Parliament. He hoped that these later Bills would be taken in the same, spirit as others that had passed through the House.

Sir Joseph Ward: I think tlie RightHonourable gentleman's speeches, if measured, would be found to have taken up more time than mine did.> (Laughter.) Continuing, the Leader of the Opposition said that he hoped the Prime Minister was not going to give tie House piecemeal tlie important measures that were to be presented. The War Taxation Bill should he brought down at the same time as the .Financial Statement, as tfould be the case in a normal time. If these measures were not presented side by 6ide every member would be working in the dark. The War Taxation Bill should not be kept away from the Budget. Ho did not know what was in the Taxation Bill or the Budget, but in a session such as the present, when Parliament was dealing with enormous sums, and had such a responsibility, members should not remain in doubt as to ,v>\hat the proposals were, though consideration of them might bo postponed so that they could be dealt with ono behind another. Mr. Massey' said that Parliament would have the Bills at tlie earliest possible moment.. It had been impossible, up to tho present; to have them ready. But when they were delivered Sir Joseph Ward would be so satisfied with them that he would not delay them, but would help the Government to perfect them. (Laughter.) Sir Joseph Ward: I am glad you are so reassuring.