PARLIAMENTARY SESSION

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 285, 29 August 1935, Page 10

PARLIAMENTARY SESSION

Opening To-day

FORECAST OF MAIN LEGISLATION A Light Programme Cabinet Ministers expect that the fifth session of the twenty-fourth Parliament which is to be opened ceremonially this afternoon by the Gover-nor-General, Lord Galway, will not last beyond the end of October. The legislative programme for consideration is comparatively slight, with no sensational or emergency measures in prospect. The opening ceremony will follow traditional lines of procedure, and should afford a spectacular interest to those not familiar with it. There will he no Parliamentary business at all. To-morrow afternoon the House of Representatives, after preliminary business, will pay tributes to the memories of three former legislators who died during the recess—Mr. James Craigie, ex-M.L.C., Mrs. Elizabeth McCombs, M.P. for Lyttelton, and Mr. G. V. Pearce, a former M.P. for Patea —and then adjourn until Tuesday afternoon. The Address-ln-Reply debate will begin on Tuesday evening, and it is anticipated that all parties will desire to •talk with more than a side-glance at the forthcoming general election. So far, there has been no rumour as to the Labour Opposition pressing a motion of no-confidence.

No Far-Reaching Measures. After a long meeting of Cabinet yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, indicated that no important or far-reaching measures ' were contemplated by the Government, mainly because the two months of the session gave insufficient time for deep study of suggested schemes. Two matters which were being investigated by the Government—social insurance and housing—would not be touched on during the session, but - inquiries the Government had put in hand would be continued with a view to future action. The House of Representatives, however, would not lack work—there were amendment bills prepared for departmental requirements, and there were many matters of intense interest to be discussed by members. Mr. Forbes said he considered that most interest would centre on f.e Budget, and that the whole session would pivot on the Government’s financial statement. The Budget, he thought, would be presented comparatively early in the session. Mr. Forbes, however, would give no indication of what changes in taxation were contemplated but, replying to inquiries, he said that all the reductions and concessions asked for would involve four or five million pounds. The Government would have to consider its spending programme before it decided to reduce its income. Mr. Forbes gave a non- ’ committal reply when he was asked if it was intended to reduce or remove the Sales Tax, and he could say nothing about the suggested restoration of all 'or part of Civil Service salaries. He made it clear that there would be no electoral reform this session not even * a- system of preferential voting. . Amendment Bills. • Legislative proposals for the session include a Public Works Amendment Bill, including a large number of small amendments to the Public Works Act and some detached provisions, a small amendment to the Mines Act, which will invest the Minister of Mines with power to conserve slack from coal mines, an amendment to the Valuation of Acts designed to restore the. original right to revalue (for a limited period), and, probably, .an amendment to the apprenticeship laws. The Governor-General’s speech at the opening of Parliament this afternoon will be only a little more informative than usual, but the main policy of the Government will not be disclosed, the most vital measures of the session being reserved for inclusion in the Bud-

get. . ... After, the opening of Parliament this afternoon, the Prime Minister and Mrs. Forbes will give an “At Home” to guests in the vteial room at Parliament Buildings. , .

Following the practice of the last eight years, the ninth special service to mark the opening of Parliament will lie held in St. John’s Church next Sunday at 31 a.iu. The Governor-General, Viscount Galway, has intimated his intention of being present, and will read the Lessons. Invitations have been extended to the Prime Minister, Cabinet 'Ministers, and all members of Parliament, as well as to the usual official circles. Arrangements have been made for this service to be broadcast.