LAST-MINUTE RUSH

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 105, 30 October 1931, Page 8

LAST-MINUTE RUSH

WORK OF THE SESSION

THE REMAINING BILLS

AN EARLY STATEMENT

The discussion on the Prime Minister's motion to extend the sitting hours of the House of Eepresentatives was continued yesterday afternoon after "The Post" had gone to press. In reply to objections, it was pointed out from the Ministerial benches that it was necessary to expedite the business of Parliament in order that the elections should not clash -with the Christmas trade or. the holidays, and that the important measures on the Order 1 apcr should be proceeded with. Mr. B. Semple (Labour, Wellington East) expressed the hopo that before the session closed the Government would'pass the Broadcasting Bill and tho Transport Licensing Bill, luo Coupons Trading Bill, ho said, was of minor importance as compared with thoso measures. The Minister of Public Works (the lUeht Hon. J. G. Coates) said that for weeks past the' Labour members had been urging tho Government to make a statement as to when the election was to be held, and no sooner did the Prime Minister make a statement that the elections were to be held —(Mr. J. S Fletcher (Independent, Grey Lynn): "Yes but not when.") —than there was a dissertation from the Labour benches concerning the conduct of the business of the House. . Mr. F. Langstone (Labour, waimarmo): "It has not been too good, has Mr. Coates said that there was no need for irritation. Mr. Semple: "I am not irritated." "AN OLD CUSTOM." Mr. Coates said that they were now nearing the elections, and a very old custom would have to be followed. It was necessary that a number of innocents should be slaughtered. Th 3 Rev. C. Carr (Labour, Timaru): "What about the Broadcasting Bill!" Mr. Coates said that the business people would resent the elections interfering with Christmas trade, and it was desirable that they should be held as far away as possible from the holidays. ~ ■ __■ The Leader of .the Opposition: "What is the date?" ' '~.■. - Mr. Coates said that it would be impossible for the Prime Minister to complete his programme, and some legislation would have to be held over. Mr. Sernplo: "We want the important things done." Mr. Coates said that there would be an instalment of the Transport Bill which would meet immediate difficulties, but ■ th'erfc might not be time to put through a comprehensive Bill this session. He took it that it would be necessary to pass'other measures after the election, no matter what Government was in office. . BROADCASTING BILL. Mr. P. Eraser (Labour, Wellington Central) said that the Leader of the Opposition had offered to co-operate in facilitating the business of the House. The business of the House was in the hands of the Prime Minister, and no one could dictate to, him when it came <tb the question of what measures were to be passed, but they were concerned about certain measures which could be put through the House with "very little discussion. There was a general demand for the Broadcasting Bill, and members of the House were almost unanimous on the matter. Mr. Fraser expressed the hope that, the instalment of tiie Transport Bill would safeguard the public services, . "We have had a storm in a tea cup over a simple motion moved by myself," said the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes). He said that it was not the intention of the Government to work all hours, but the power to extend the length of the sittings had been taken in case it was needed. The whole matter rested entirely with the members themselves, and the objections had come from some of the most voluble members of the House. He did not think that the country would be concerned if the Honse was asked to sit for an additional one hour and a half per,day. He accepted the Leader Of the Opposition's offer of co-operation, and knew that he was sincere in his desire to have an early election. The Leader of the Opposition: "I suggest that you give us a definite date." Mr. Fraser: "Is it the 3rd or the 10th?" Mr. Forbes said that he did not think all the additional time asked for would be. necessary. Mr. Wright: "What about Saturday night?" . , Mr. Forbes: "I hope that the work will be sufficiently forward that we will not have to sit on Saturday at all." Mr. D. Gr. Sullivan: "What business do you expect the House to do before the end of the session?" Mr. Forbes: "I will make a statement in regard to it very likely to-morrow." He said that there were some Bills in the hands of the Law Draftsman, but no decision had been reached as to how many of them would be gone on with. The important Bills would be passed.