THE DAY, IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 84, 6 October 1922, Page 7

THE DAY, IN PARLIAMENT

Most of yesterday afternoon in the House of Representatives went in n debate following the report of the Labour Bills Committee on the Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill, which earlier in the session was read a second time pro forma. No doubt yesterday's opinions will be repeated on the motion to commit the Bill. But %J1 things must have an ending, and signß of the truth of this' statement, so far as the session is concerned, were not wanting yesterday. The Prime Minister, for instance, announced that, with the consent of the House, Monday sittings would commence next week. anJ on top of that he read a list of the Bjjls yet to be considered. Both these episodes "occur regularly when the end of. the session is in sight. Five local Bills,i including the Wellington "Cu,y Empowering and Amendment Bill, with its contentious clause giving the Corporation power to charge for admission to the Zoo on Sundays, were passed. A division was taken on the Wellington Bill, but the other local Bills were slipping through without even an explanation until, first Mr. M'Leod, and then the Prime Minister, made protests. - Government business was reached early in the evening. The Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill and the Amusement Tax Bill were passed, the Prime Miuiier, on the latter, making it clear that poultry shows and swimming sports, among other things, will be exempt from the tax.in the future. Mr. Guthrie then moved the second reading of the Land Laws Amendment Bill, and during the tepid debate that followed must have congratulated himself that no longer does a. Micisier of Lands have to fight the tattles of his predecessors of the early days of the Reform Party's term of office. Most members agreed with the Minister that the Bill gives a greater incentive to the man on the land to "meet the difficulties with which he is at present faced. The Liberal Whip, Mr. Forbes, was typical of the changed atmosphere when he opened his remarks with the statement that "at this late hour" he did not intend to delay the House. It is not many years ago that 10.30 p.m. was far from a " late hour " wh"en a Land Bill was in the offing. By 12.10 p.m. the Minister was thanking •members for the spirit of helpfulness shown. The passage of £he years certainly brings changes. .. ■