WORK OF SESSION

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 32, 1 November 1932, Page 10

WORK OF SESSION

Better Progress Now Likely END OF THE BUDGET Introduction of Customs Bill ELECTORAL AMENDMENT (By Our Parliamentary Representative) There is every prospect of the House of Representatives finishing the Budget Debate by to-night, and if this can be done the way will be open for the prosecution of more intensive work on the Estimates and legislation. Fifty-one members . have so far taken part in the Budget dis cussion, and the Labour Party has almost exhausted its s P S’ that the Prime Minister, Kt. Hon. U. W. Forbes, is confident that he will be able to reply by to-night s adjournment. Mr. Forbes said last evening that he .vould probably ask for urgency on the debate to-day. From the Budget, the House will most likely pass on to the Estimates immediately. Their passing will not be without difficulty in view of the large number of economies revea ed n !he reduced votes. However, the value of any prolonged discussion on individual items will be lessened by the fact that seven months of the tinan-r-ial year have already gone and half the sums shown in the votes will have been spent before the House comes to spread over several weeks, andL they wi 1 be taken as opportunity offers There will be a break in their consideration to-morrow, which has been set aside for the passing of the Customs B Se legislative effect to the Ottawa resolutions of October 13. The House has already spread itself on the Ottawa Conference, so that it is not likely o spend a great deal of time on the form An B easy passage will not the Electoral Amendment Bill by the Labour Party. This measure, which may come down to-day, will P^ ov . f . fdr the permanent e^ te,lsi . o n n f °J ir . C e . lrs of Parliament from three to four j ears, and the alteration of the date of licensing polls to coincide with the general elections. .