THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 7, 8 July 1931, Page 9

THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

| A milestone of definite progress was made by the House of Representatives at yesterday's sitting in passing the second reading stage on 'the Unemployment Amendment Bill. Various aspects of the' unemployment problem were discussed, but. the main point of criticism of the Bill itself was that iterated previously that relief workers should be given relief from payment of the taxation. Replying at the conclusion of the debate, .the Minister of Labour pointed out that if that were done the levy would have to bo increased in order to ensure the raising of the necessary finance. The Prime Minister participated in,the debato, but his remarks were in the main confined'to replying to points raised by Opposition speakers and critics. He said that the Government wished to sec 'as many men -as possible employed on productive works. Tho long deferred transport proposals of the Government, which had been held over from the 1929. session on account,,of objections raised by members, made their appearance at last. Tho Bill is a comprehensive measure delegating powers to a central authority and to district authorities for the licensing of public transport services by air.as well as on land. The curiosity of members as to the contents of the Bill was met by the - Minister of Transport in a lengthy outline of the main principles involved. Tho Minister intimated- that he intends to ask that the Bill be read a second time pro forma, and that it be referred to a committee of the House so that evidence may be heard concerning the proposals. The day's sitting was the second longest of the session to date. Urgency was granted on tho Unemployment Bill, and the xtdjournment was taken at 12.5 a.m.