WORK TO BE DONE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 79, 30 September 1924, Page 6

WORK TO BE DONE

The number of Bajtf , pa g Se d by the House of Eepvfesentative's this session is impressive; and if we add to this list the .Address-in-jß.eply and,budget debates .and the Estimates, it may be"' suggested that, atcer all, there is nothing in the statement that Parliament is waiting time. But on examination i.t-is. seen that the..majority, of/the twenty-five Government Bills are' measures of minor importance If we exclude the Land.Bill and the Mortgages Final Extension there is nothing highly'controversial in .the list. The more difficult measures are now before the House or have yet to be introduced. These Bills include the Gaming Amendment, the Land and Income Tax (annual), Fruit Control, Land and Income Tax Amendment, Land i-Tansfer, Motor Vehicles, Legislature Amendment (No. ,5),'. Honpy Export _ Control, Agricultural Credits, Licensing Amendment, Ke-« payment of-Public Debt', and Social Hygiene.' If these Bills 'are to'be thoroughly considered, the House will require to settle down to work steadily. Mr. Massey's expectation of .an adjournment a month hence possibly' appears rather sanguine, but even, if .this expectation is fulfilled Parliament will have had a four-and-a-half months'1 session. There are .three possible courses: Hard work and no waste of time or.obstruction, an extended session, or postponement of some important measures. Members will be wise if they take the first course. The third choice, postpone-1 ment of measures, is the least desirable. In the list there are Bills for which the people have already waited overlong. There are others which should, if it is at all possible, be placed on the Statute Book before the pre-election session. The Licensing Amendment and .Legislature Amendment are two of these. Such questions as are involved in these Bills should be determined bofore the rush.to the country sets in.- Plainly there is much to be done this session , without members seeking occasions to waste .time. '