NEARING THE END

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 110, 5 November 1927, Page 11

NEARING THE END

WORK OF PARLIAMENT CONTENTIOUS MEASURES The Parliamentary session is now hastening to its end —in the opinion of many members of the House uf .Representatives, at least, not before it is due. The session has developed into an unusually, long one, the twentieth week having been entered upon last Thursday. There is still much important business to be done, but there is an inclination among the majority of members to assist in expediting business with a view to finishing it by 19th November. Whether this expectation will bo realised depends on the treatment accorded certain highly-contentious measures which are still to have consideration. The Labour Party has indicated that it is definitely antagonistic to the proposals contained in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, and that unless it is considerably amended in its main provisions before being returned to the House by the Labour Bills Committee every possible obstacle will be placed.in its path. The Committee is making good progress in the hearing of evidence, but it is not likely that the Bill will be returned to the House for some days. Eight witnesses were heard yesterday, when the ! Committee sat both in the morning and in the afternoon, and it is understood that there are about ten more on the list waiting to be called after the hearing of evidence is resumed on Monday. Fixtures have been made for Wednesday, so that it is hardly to be expected that the Committee will be in a position to report before tho end of the week.

It is expected that the Licensing Bill will be introduced early in the coming week, and the Prime" Minister has given notice to the member for Waipawa, Sir George Hunter, who is in charge-of the Gaming Amendment Bill, that he should bo in readiness to move the second reading of his measure on Monday night. The Licensing Bill is being awaited with much interest, and whatever its provisions are, there is sure to be a lengthy debate. The subject of racing is almost as contentious. Another Bill which is sure to occupy some time in its passage through the House is the measure yet to be introduced to give effect to the application of the petrof tax and provide for the application of the extra Customs revenue to expenditure on main highways. When the pressure is put on the House at the close of the session, it is customary for sittings to be held. on Monday afternoons and also on Saturdays. It is expected that the necessary notices of motion in regard 1o these extensions will be given next week. . .