END OF SESSION

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 99, 23 October 1936, Page 10

END OF SESSION

THIS DAY WEEK

PRIME MINISTER'S AIM

REMAINING BUSINESS

In reply to the Leader of the Opposition (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes), the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M.^ J. Savage) said in the House rf Representatives this morning that he could see ho reason why the House should not adjourn on Friday next. The following Bills, he said, were on his list: — Agricultural. Emergency Powers Amendment Bill. , Wool Industry Promotion Bill. . Thames Harbour District Abolition Bill. .■~ ' • • ■ ■ Hospital Amendment Bill. Native Land Amendment Bill. Local Legislation Bill. Statutes Amendment Bill. . Local Government Reform Bill. Mr. Savage said that the Agricultural Emergency Bill was merely a machinery measure. dealing with regulations. The Wool Industry Bill provided for the payment of a levy by wool growers. There had been much discussion in respect to wool research, but nothing had been done. . "If there is no opposition to the Bill it will go through," said Mr. Savage, "but otherwise it will go overboard." The Prime Minister said' that the Thames Bill gave effect to an agreement that had been arrived at. As far as the Hospital' Amendment was concerned, the' Minister of Health (the Hon. P. Fraser) had assured him that it was a comparatively small thing. "The Native Land Amendment Bill is not a small thing," continued Mr. Savage. "It has fifty clauses, and I am assured they are mostly machinery." The Bill was to clean up the "hash" of* the previous Government's attempt at legislation.. (Laughter.) If there were any niggers in the woodpile, or it looked as if there, were any, then the Bill would not be proceeded with; but in view of the storms arising" out- of the Native Department, he thought it desirable to have the'legislation passed this session. . .i ' WALKING THE PLANK. ' The Prime Minister said the Local Legislation Bill, was the usual "washing-up" measure. The Statutes Amendment was in charge of the Attor- ' ney-GeneraV (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason). "It would be easier for me to_ tell you what is not in it than' what is in it," he said. "It deals with most subjects ' under the sun." . . ■ Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (National, Wai- ■ tomo): Will that have to walk the j plank? ; ._. / .. ' ! ' ; ! The Prime Minister: It will be on ' the plank. • . • ] Mr. Savage said the Bill dealing with 1 local government reform was to be ; brought down in order to have it circulated so that the country would' have [ an idea what it had to expect in respect I to local body legislation. It was "not intended to pass it this year. . <■''.. ' The Bills he had quoted were all as ' far as he could see unless some small things cropped up. ; ; "I do not see why the House should not adjourn this day week," he continued. "I think it1 is' easily possible', and the' Government's intention is to < make it possible. • I do not want to i take advantage of the end of the sesj-; ! sion to inflict anything on the Hoi|se : that will be. highly, contentious owing ; to the end being so near. ] An Opposition member: What about ] the Alsatian Dog Bill? j The Prinie Minister:' You had better i ask the member for Stratford, who' is ' in charge of the Bill. What I have j stated is as far as I can go, and hon- ' estly I do not see anything that any- < one can take exception' to.' I am,as | anxibus as anyone else to get out of < this in order to give some ;time to the s administration of the law: . , 1 The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates .(National, ' Kaipara) asked if it were essential to £ pass the Native Land Bill this session. £ It should have gone through last year. ] The iPrime Minister: It'should have i gone through five years ago. ■ . : Mi". Coates said he thought it would < be found that the Department was be- i ing administered on the assumption 1 that the law existed. - t Mr. Savage said he did not want to £ stay in session for ever, but, he1 would ' like to put the Bill through. It'put j the administration, oE the Department on a better basis. ■ It would-go to the \ Native Affairs. Committee before the c House discussed it. '",'...' * Mr! Coates: Will we meet tomorrow? r Mr. Savage: Out at Trentham, per- r haps. ...'■ . ' .' '■: }