PARLIAMENT’S WORK

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 174, 20 April 1931, Page 8

PARLIAMENT’S WORK

Session Nearing End IMPORTANT BILLS Finance and Railways DEATH OF MR. A. W. HALL (By Our Parliamentary Representative.) Over five weeks have passed since the opening of the emergency session which the Prime Minister originally estimated would end a fortnight ago. Signs are now appearing however, indicating that an other week should bring tlie end within sight, as members do not seen to be disposed to prolong the rest of the business longer than can be helped. There still remain one or two important Bills, notably the Hawke’s Bay Earthquake and second Finance measures, but the keen edge of debate has been worn and members generally appear anxious to get back to their electorates.

From tlie viewpoint of achievement the past week has been one of the most noteworthy of the session, and, added to this, the Prime Minister placed before the House another instalment of his economy proposals. Thus the full effect of the Government’s plans to put its own house in order before calling upon the country to make up the outstanding amount required to balance next year’s Budget, has been revealed. In many respects the steps to be taken to cut down departmental expenditure will prove popular, at least outside the Public Service itself, for it is clear that every effort is to be made to eliminate wasteful spending. In the main, however, Mr. Forbes’s statement, received with whistles of astonishment on Thursday, makes unpleasant reading, for above all else the fact stands out that the estimated deficit for the next financial year will be at least £5,500,000. There has been no little comment upon the latest announcement by the Prime Minister upon the country’s finances. Many members are disinclined to believe that the position has undergone such a sudden change since February 14 when Mr. Forbes gave tlie estimated deficit for next year as £4,500,000. Earlier in the session Mr. Forbes paved the way for his most recent statement by saying that this figure would probably be exceeded, but even at that time it was freely rumoured in the lobbies that the total would most likely be £5,500,000. Economy measures have been under way for some time, but with the carrying into effect of the provisions of the second Finance Bill, the Prime Minister hopes to benefit the Consolidated Fund by a total of £3,320,000. This will leave a further £2,180,000 to be found by way of taxation, but at the moment it has not been decided whether this question may not be postponed for consideration during the ordinary session in June. It is known that the Government has not made up its mind on the specific methods by which the gap is to be bridged, although various alternatives have been passed in review. There is even some doubt whether the Prime Minister will be able to save as much as he anticipates by the drastic paring of expenses for which provision is made in the Finance Bi”- , With conditions as they are, it is also unlikely that exact estimates of taxation returlis can be made, so that a further problem may present itself in framing proposals. Estimates made of the current year’s revenue from taxation have already proved astray in many respects, so that it would appear as though the Government’s troubles will not end with the imposition of further charges upon those who are finding it increasingly difficult to pay.

Committee’s Recommendations.

In spite of tlie drastic action outlined in the Finance Bill No. 2, it is understood that even more widespread economies were at first advocated by tlie Economy Committee and actually drafted for inclusion. As it was tlie House was considerably surprised with the boldness of the steps contemplated, and it is fairly certain that several days will be spent on the measure before it is put through. Apart from the taking of action for which legislative sanction is required, retrenchments and retirements are being enforced by the Government, and it can be taken for granted that economy pleasures will by no means be confined to those outlined iu ihe Bill.

Much is being heard in political circles of party fusion and the life of tlie present Parliament. Interest centres upon representations made during the week both to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, Right Hon. J. G. Coates, and pressure is being brought to bear upon them to bring about a merger of moderate political interests before the general election. There is a body of opinion in both the United and Reform Parties favouring fusion, and also at the moment a faction which is strongly opposed to any such move. The situation is full of difficulty, and delicate ground must be trodden if any overtures are to be made by one party to the other. Tlie country will await the outcome witli more than passing interest. Control of Railways. Tlie chief topic of debate during the week has been tlie question of railways management and control, consequent upon the introduction of the Government Railways Amendment Bill aiming to remove tlie system from political influence. It was clear from the outset that the Bill was not popular with the Reform Party, which was not content that the railways would be given the independence promised. Several important changes have already been agreed to by the Prime Minister at the instance of Mr. Coates. The Bill itself left little doubt that the hand of the Treasury would intrude at various points, and even if the Opposition does not get all it wants it will be responsiiile for some important con cessions being made to tlie widespread view that polities should enter into control of the railways to the smallest possible extent if they are to be given a chance to operate on a commercial basis. News of the death of Mr. A. W. Hall, Reform member for Hauraki, was received in I lie House in the early hours of Saturday morning, and although Ihe Prime Minister had obtained urgency for tlie remaining singes of the Railways Bill, the adjournnictit was taken at once. It is expected that tributes will bo paid to the memory of Mr, Hall when the House meets this afternoon, and that a further adjournment will then be taken until the evening as a mark of respect.