COMING SESSION

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 20, 24 July 1933, Page 8

COMING SESSION

MAY NOT BE LENGTHY

MR. FORBES'S RETURN

LEAVING LONDON SOON

There now appears to be good reason to believe that Parliament will meet at the end of August or the beginning of September and that it will bo possible to conclude the business of the session before the Christmas vacation. Last year Parliament was unable to conclude its work before Christmas, a-nd it was necessary for members to reassemble in January.

The actual date of, the opening of Parliament has not yet been decided upon, as final word of the intentions of the Prime Minister (the Et. Hon. G. W. Forbes) has not yet been received. It is understood, however, that Mr. Forbes is not likely to remain in London for any considerable period after the close of the World Economic Conference on Thursday next, unless, of course, he is specially asked to, do.so by the British Government. On the conclusion of the Conference Mr; Forbes will probably take advantage of the opportunity of discussing certain matters of importance with the Home Government, as well as making first-hand inquiries into certain problems of particular interest ;to. New Zealand. However, it is not expected that these matters will occupy his attention for more than a week or so, and Mr. Forbes will probably leave London for New Zealand about the second week in August. This would mean that he would arrive in New Zealand, in. the first part of September. Thus, if the session opens at the end of August or in the first week in September, the Prime Minister is unlikely to miss much more than the opening formalities.

It is suggested that the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. R. ■Masters), who is New Zealand's second delegate at the Economic Conference, may stay in London for some little time after the Prime Minister leaves. Mr. Masters^has a number of important ,+rade matters in hand, and it may not be possible to conclude tho negotiations in time to enable him to accompany the Prime Minister back to New Zealand.

NOT PEOTEACTED,

There is a general feqling in political circles that the coming session of Parliament will not be protracted, as the legislative programme will not be a heavy one. No doubt members will •take the usual advantage of the Ad-dress-in-Reply debate to discuss general ■political issues,- and it may be taken •for granted that the Government's high exchange policy will come under review. The Budget will provide another opportunity for a general debate, although so far there is nothing to indicate that the Government's financial proposals will be of a drastic nature. As has already been indicated, the Government has mapped out its expenditure for the year and this will be outlined in detail in the Estimates accompanying the Budget. The Estimates will reveal that the Government still realises the need for economy _in Governmental expenditure, although in one or two directions there will be increased votes. The. Public Works Estimates will bo a particular source of interest, as it will bo necessary for the Government to make provision in these for the various public works which Cabinet has recently approved. Another Estimate of interest will be that of the Defence Department. This vote has been cut down in recent years, but it is possible that in view of the Government's decision to overhaul the defence system it will be necessary to make a bigger allocation this year.

LEGISLATIVE PBOGRAMME,

Apart from routine business there is not likely to be a great deal to occupy the attention of members. One important piece of legislation will be discussed, however. This will be a Bill to provide for the establishment' of a central* bank, which the Government holds to be a necessary part of its general financial policy. Sir Otto Niomeyer recommended the establishment of a central bank in his report of 1931, and since theji inquiries made by the Government have led to the conclusion that the recommendation should be adopted. Last session .the Eeserve Bank of New Zealand Bill was introduced, but it did not get past its preliminary stages. The Bill made provision for the appointment of a board of directors consisting. of a governor, a deputy-governor', and five other members. The Bill set out in details the functions of the bank, and the schedules contained the rules under which the Eeserve Bank is to work. The Bill to be introduced next will probably follow closely on" the lines of last session's Bill, although it is possible that there will be one or two amendments arising from inquiries made by the Government during the present year.

There will probably be legislation to amend the •Mortgagors' Belief Act in the direction of removing some anomalies which have become apparent during its operation, but apart from that and the Eeserve Bank of New Zealand Bill the legislation will probably bo of minor importance.