PARLIAMENTARY SESSION

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 June 1934, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY SESSION

OPENING TO-MORROW FORECAST OF BUSINESS | [special to “star.”] WELLINGTON, June 26. L With the opening of the session on Thursday, Parliament will observe t for the first time since 1930, its nor- ■_ nial practice of meeting once a year in .June. ' Beyond announcements that the ’ revision of the customs tariff and r legislation for rehabilitation of the ’ dairying industry will constitute the ( majjx business of the session, little information has been given regarding work that awaits members of the Legislature. Several Bills relatively . of a minor nature, are scheduled for ' early introduction, including mea- ; tires side-tracked during the past two ' or three years by reason of pressure of more important emergency legislation of .that period). Until Cabinet has in its possession the reports of the Commissions at present sitting, it seems that no great headway can be made with the preparation of the legislative programme. The nature of the legislation affecting the dairying industry will be determined largely by the recommendations of the Royal Commission now investigating the industry. With the volume of evidence being placed before the Commission it is evident that the session will be well advanced before this tribunal is able to report. A suggestion has been made that it might submit an interim report which would afford a guide to the Government in shaping its plans for rehabilitation of the industry. The Prime Minister is of opinion that the session should finish by October, at the very latest. To accomplish this will require judicious pressure, for official estimates of the length of sessions in the immediate past, have invariably proved too optimistic. However, preparations will be necessary in connection with the visit of the Duke of Gloucester early ; in December, and this is likely to be a determining factor in preventing , the session from being unduly prolonged. The report of the Royal Commission investigating Native affairs and that of the special Parliamentary Committe which recently inquired into the monetary system, are bound to open up long discussions. The Native Affairs Commission is still hearing evidence, and it seems certain the session will be well advanced before it is able to report. It is a moot point whether recommendations of the Monetary Committee will lead to legislative action.

BUDGET HOPES. In the meantime the House will be occupied with the Addlresslin-Reply debate, followed by the submission of the tariff resolutions to be confirmed later by legislation, and after that the Budget may be expected, so there will be no dearth of debating material. It is expected that the tariff resolutions will be introduced in about three weeks’ time, and that the Budget will not be presented before August. The results of last year’s financial operations have already been announced, but the appearance of the Budget will be awaited with interest, because of the indication it will give of tire distribution of the taxation burden for the current year. Numerous minor Bills, including the extension of the Rent Restriction for a further year will be ready for introduction at a fairly early stage. There Will also be legislation giving effect to the recommendations of the Committee which recently investigated the film industry. The Mining Amendment Bill, introduced last year, but not proceeded with, is due for early introduction, but this year’s Bill will differ slightly from its predecessor, having been amended in the light of further information gained since the introduction of the original measure. Uncertainty exists as to what action will be taken in connection with the Government Superannuation Funds. A Bill on the subject has been introduced in each of the last two sessions, but indications are that the question is still under consideration.

It is expected that the Labour Party will take an early opportunity to launch an offensive against the Government for its decision to extend the life of this Parliament ot four years. The Government has not yet carried out its expressed intention to make the extension apply to all Parliaments, but Mr Forbes said this evening, that it was likely that a measure on those lines would be brought forward toward the end of the ensuing session.

The Poisons Bill is ready for introduction, and most of the measures dropped last session, are likely to reappear.