GOOD PROGRESS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 49, 21 November 1932, Page 8

GOOD PROGRESS

Work of Parliament WAY CLEAR FOR BILLS Unusual Speed on Estimates EXCHANGE RATE QUESTION (By Our Parliamentary Representative) Whatever interest members of the House of Representatives had in the passing of the final classes of the Estimates, which was the Primo Minister's objective for the week, died out completely when the exchange rate controversy was revived with all its old intensity on Wednesday. The formal approval of votes running into millions of pounds commanded only tepid interest, for, as occurred during the spirited days of the emergency sessions, there was more of importance occurring in the lobbies than in the House itself. The Prime Minister has every reason to be gratified with the way in which the House has responded to his occasional application of the spurs. He has not demanded a very fast pace, but all expectations were exceeded in the passing of all the main classes of the departmental Estimates at six sittings. Old Parliamentarians cannot recall such a remarkable turn of speed for many years, for it usually takes weeks for members to plough through the fifty odd items. They ordinarily act as a governor on the speed of the legislative machine, but recently members have not only done all that was asked of them; they have been so keen as to invite the Prime Minister to give (hem more to do before going home for the night. A Clearer Outlook. In consequence Mr. Forbes can see more clearly where he stands in regard to the remaining work of the session. He himself previously had fears that troubled waters would have to be navigated before the session was over. At the moment it appears he will be favoured with plainer sailing during the three weeks which it is thought will be all that will be. needed to finish up. During the weeks that the House has been engaged in clearing up things of more or less minor importance, the Government has been preparing its legislative programme, but, as Mr. Forbes remarked in an interview during the week, there is nothing particularly controversial in it. all there are ten Government Bills awaiting consideration, and four or five more will come down within the next few days. Heavy going is being made by the Select Committee, to which was referred the Government Superannuation BUI, and there seems no doubt that the measure will come back to the House in a vastly different form from that in which it first appeared. Suggestions that this Bill would not be gone on with this session have aroused strong opposition among a section of members, who are convinced that, in fairness to the Public Servants, there should be no delay. Anxiety of Members. Representations will probably be made to the Government to have the Bill dealt with so that it is likely something will be done to strengthen the three funds this year, even although the drastic steps at first proposed may not be taken. This week will see the appearance of a . Bill to consolidate and amend the law governing municipalities, while a measure amending the mortgagors’ relief legislation is also being drafted. It was more or less expected by the Government that this law would need amending, and the Acts passed during the crisis have been found to contain several anomalies. The amendments will be largely along the lines suggested by the recent conference of adjustment commissions whose members met to compare notes as to the working of the law. Exchange Question. It was perhaps too much to expect that with such serious problems confronting the primary industries, the placid atmosphere which had up to last week provided such a marked contrast with the three previous sessions, would continue until the House rose. It was, actually, because of their belief that Parliament was showing too much complacence toward the major issues, that a small band of Government members representing rural constituencies raised the exchange question with a view to bringing about an Increase in the present rate to 25 per cent. In spite of the work upon Bills which the House will be called upon to do this week, the exchange rate question will be of most interest. It almost monopolised attention for three days last week, and in view of the effect upon the Dominion as a whole of any change in the rate, it will command first place even If it is not brought up in the House itself.