WORK OF THE SESSION

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 102, 27 October 1931, Page 10

WORK OF THE SESSION

PROROGATION IN FORTNIGHT?

THE GENERAL ELECTION

The aim of all member of Parliament is to conclude the session as quickly as possiblo consistent with due consideration to the work which is beiug ; put i through, and to get into their electorates without delay, as tho campaign will necessarily bo shorter than usual, and they have much ground to cover. Indications are that the General Election will take place early in December, and the work of Parliament will bo listened to the utmost. As an earnest of the Government's determination to make the most of the time available for legislative work, urgency is being asked for to-day with a view to disposing of about a dozen classes of the Estimates. Ordinarily tho Estimates are given one day per week —with an average of about six classes per day—for several weeks before being completely passed. Tho Votes to the various departments have been so effectively pruned in the cause of administrative economy that littlo more remains in tho Estimates than is necessary to provide for bare necessities, and members will find difficulty in seizing upon superfluous items to justify lengthy debate. ELECTION DEPENDS ON PROGRESS. Interviewed to-day, the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes) said that it was impossible to fix a date for the Goneral Election until_ it was seen how the work of tho session proceeded. The speed of working would be governed largely by the ability of the law draftsmen to keep well forward the legislation which was in preparation. Mr. Forbes also said that the question as to how much legislation the Government intended to proceed with also depended on the progress made in the House. The Prime Minister is hopeful that tho session will bo finished by the end of nest week, and to that end long sittings, and the taking of Saturdays and Mondays for legislative work, aro in prospect. Mr. Forbes also indicated to interviewing Pressmen to-day that the election would tako plaeo about three weeks or a month after tho prorogation of Parliament. THE WORK AHEAD. The final approval of the Estimates will remove one of the greatest obstacles in tho work still remaining to bo done. No indication has yet been given by the Government as to how far it intends to give effect to its outlined programme before the session closes, but inevitably somo of the measures which have been foreshadowed will be jettisoned or deferred until later. The Customs Amendment Bill, confirming the tariff changes which have already been put into operation by resolution of the- House, will make its appearance shortly. Like tho taxing Bills already passed, it_ is an essential measure. Another important matter upon which a decision must be reached beforo the end of this year is that of broadcasting control. Tho agreement with tho Radio Broadcasting Company is about to expire, and the House is faced with tho alternatives of granting a further licence to the company or of giving effect to the scheme proposed in the Broadcasting Bill now before the House. Early consideration of tho Bill is anticipated., The Transport Licensing Bill is also regarded as a measure demanding legislative sanction as soon as possible. It is understood that the Bill which was introduced before the formation of the Coalition Government is to ho sub-1 jected to a good deal of amendment, and that this purpose will be met by introducing a new Bill containing the alterations deemed necessary by the Government. The Building Construction Bill is also likely to bo given precedence. In addition to Bills at present on the Order Paper, other Government measures are yet to make their appearance. A broad hint has boen given that the unemployment emergency charge is to be increased by 2d in the £, and this 'will necessitate an amendment of the Act passed earlier in the session. There is also the Mortgagors' Relief Amendment measure.