BUSINESS OF SESSION

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 297, 14 September 1927, Page 10

BUSINESS OF SESSION

LAST OF PRIVATE MEMBERS’ DAYS GAMING AND BIBLE IN SCHOOLS OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCUSSION In accordance with a motion carried by the House of Representatives yesterday, on and after to-day and for the remainder of the session, Government business will take precedence from 2.30 p.m. on Wednesdays, which hitherto have been devoted to the transaction of private members’ business. Replying to questions, the Prime Minister (Right Hon. J. G. Coates), intimated the Government’s intentions regarding the Gaming Amendment and the Religious Exercises in Schools Bills. Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) mentioned that there was a long list of private members’ Bills on the Order Paper, and the Prime Minister was asked whether the Press statements that Government time would be made available for the consideration of such measures as the Gaming Amendment Bill' and the Religious Exercises in Schools Bills, both of which were well down on the Order Paper, were correct. If so, the Prime Minister was asked whether some arrangement could not be come to for the similar consideration of other private members’ business. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) put in a word on behalf of his Dairy Export Amendment Bill. The Leader of the Nationalist Party (Mr. G. W. Forbes) said the present was the opportunitv usually taken advantage of bv the Prime Minister to indicate what" further business was to come before the House and when the session was likely to end. Mr. T. M'. Wilford (Hutt) : If it takes three months to do what we have done, how long will it take us to do ‘sometiling?’ “ (Laughter.) The Prime Minister replied that in the course of a few days lie would make a statement outlining the more important features of the balance of legislation to be dealt with this session. He was bv no means optimistic regarding the opportunity for the discussion of Mr. Veitch’s measure I laughter). ”1 think,” he continued, "that this session we have given private members a longer opportunitv than ever before It is unfortunate that private members have not been able to get some of what, in my opinion, are important measures dealt with ere this. lam afraid that members must to some extent blame themselves for the position. I have a shrewd idea that advantage was taken of some Bills to prevent others from being considered. I don’t know whether I am right.” A member: You are not far out. The Prime Minister stated that an indication had been given. by the Government that an opportunity would be given to the member for Dunedin South in connection with his Summer Time Bill, and an indication had already been-giVen also regarding the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill and the Gaming Amendment Bill. , ■ Mr. Fraser: Wliv these two? “These three,” corrected Mr. E. JHoward (Christchurch South). The Prime Minister said he hoped the House would be given an opportunity of discussing the measures mentioned before the session endech