FINANCE FIRST

Evening Star, Issue 18336, 25 July 1923, Page 4

FINANCE FIRST

PREiIER ON SESSION'S WORK. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE PLANS. “IF I GO.” [From (Dim Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 24. ' The business of the session was described in a general way by the Prime Minister to-day, when, at his instance, the Government was permuted to take for Government business for the remaindor of Iho session the days set apart for private members’ Bills.

Mr Massey remarked that ho believed members generally were .anxious that New Zealand snould be represented at the Imperial Conference by the Prims Minister. That being the case, tho necessary arrangements had to bo made, and tho most important business ought to be finished before bo loft for England. Mr Wilford • Wo don’t all agree what is the. most important. Mr Massey; Unfortunately, the Leader of tho Opposilon has a knack of differing from tho Government on a great many occasions, and it, would bo belter for tho country if ho agreed with it. Mr Wilford: A matter of opinion!

Mr Massey proceeded to give an indication of Ids probable movements. Tho steamer Niagara was leaving Auckland on September 10 or 11, and if ho went by that route it meant arriving in London in tlie middle of October, too late for tho opening. If be left Wellington by the ’Frisco steamer or: " ' ' 28, and took a fast steamer across the Atlantic, he could arrive tho day before the opening of tho conference. If ho went it was necessary that tho House should bo particularly economical of time, and that the business should be, as nearly .is possible, completed before ho left. Ho did not propose to drive Parliament, and Jio would go or stay just as Parliament pleased. Ho would bo just as happy in Now Zealand ns on the other side of the world; but lie felt that, at this particular conference, it was necessary that the Prime Minister of Now Zealand should bo present. Mr Hamm; Have you tho questions? Mr Massey replied that tho Order Paper was settled by tho conference when it assembled, each member having tho right to bring up motions.

ANXIETY ABOUT ELECTORAL BILL. Mr Hanan: You won’t leave tho Electoral Bill till the last?

Mr Massey: I have to get tho Financial Bills through first. Tiio Electoral Bill { will bo submitted to the House, but I don’t think it is going through in a hurry. I am not suggesting that there bo any delay, because I am perfectly serious about it. “The Premier has so far omitted to state what lie considers one of tho important Bills ha wishes to see passed,” remarked Mr Wilford. Ho was afraid the Premier would push on the work till he got through his own Bills, and then he would say : “ Sorry, I cannot wait longer, because my steamer is going.” Mr Wilford urged tho Premier to state what were the Bills, and ho assured the Government that electoral reform was of first importance. Mr Fraser (Wellington Central) asked for tho opportunity to discuss tho subject of unemployment. Mr Hanan advocated a fair rim for tho (doctoral measure, which should be brought down at an early date. Mr Veitoh deplored the lack of statesmanship which necessitated tho dominion Parliaments being hamstrung or paralysed through the irritating practice of “ spragging the wheels” while tho Prime Minister was absent at Imperial Conferences. Dir Forbes reminded tho Premier that he had declared that lie could have an election whenever he thought fit. Under these conditions it was absolutely necessary to have the electoral machinery in order. They did not know the moment when there would bo an election. When he considered that tho Premier had failed to carry out a ten year-old promise for electoral reform, lie could not help doubting his sincerity. Ho was afraid that AH Massey would get his important Bills through arid then snap his fingers at members - when they asked for electoral reform. It was the general opinion in Mew Zealand that Parliament should bo able to carry on while tho Premier was absent. “ I very much appreciate the kindly and courteous remarks of the member for Huruniii,” said the Premier ironically. “ It is just what I might have expected.” There was, lie contended, nobody more anxious than himself to see tho dominions and tho Crown colonies bettor represented at tho Imperial Conference. He would like to see the conference meet periodically every two years and go to tho various dominions. Parliament could meet in that year a few months earlier, and the ordinary session rnnld be completed before it was necessary for the Premier to leave for the conference. Mr Wilford: Who runs the country while he is away ? Mr Massey: The hon. gentleman has said that there are plenty of people competent to run the country oven while the House, is sitting. THE REMAINING WORK. Turning to the Order Paper of the House, with its eighteen Government measures, (he. Premier said that it would not be necessary to pass them all this session. ’i’ll" local legislation and the Death Duties Bill should he There was the usual Land and Income lax Bill, also a consolidating measure in connection with land and income lax. Mr Wilford: Is tho Electoral Reform Bill ready ? Mr Massey; Mo; it is not. Air Wilford: There you are! Your financial measures first! Air Massey: ‘‘The most important Bill deals with soldiers’ lands, and nobody on the other side thought to mention it. If necessary I would drop everything else to get that through.” He went on to mention as coining Government measures a small Tariff Bill. Air Parry: Is there a Gaming Bill? Air Isitt: You could postpone that with no loss to the country. (Laughter.) Mr Massey replied that ho had promised to do something. There had been more deputations on' this subject this session than on any other, There was also_ a I Finance Bill, a Loan Bill, taking authority I to raise a further loan if necessary, to finance the housing and advances scheme. There were twenty-five working days loft in the session, and ho had seen much more business done in the last twenty-five days of a normal session. So far as the Electoral Bill was concerned, ho had talked it over with the head of tho Electoral Department, requesting him to prepare a Bill. It was not in legislative shape, but it had been referred to the Law Drafting Office, though he did not know what progress had been made. Mr Holland: What is the main principle of it ? Air Parry: Surely not proportional representation ? Mr Massey. I think I must ask hon. gentlemen to wait until I have tho opportunity of introducing the Bill, and I want these financial Bills through first, even if I do not go to tho conference. I don’t play tricks with the House. The Bill will come down, unless something unforeseen happens. Air Wilford: Let us see it. Mr Massey: I am not ready yet. The member for Hurnuui hinted that there might be obstruction. I am not sufficiently in love with going to England at present to put up with anything in the way of obstruction. I will go if I get the business through reasonably j if 1 cannot I don’t go. Mr Wilford: Don’t threaten! Mr Massey: There is no threat. If members' choose to help mo I go; if they don’t it is their responsibility.