Report From The Capital— Profit-sharing Bill Is Election Bait Forecast

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1949, Page 2

Report From The Capital— Profit-sharing Bill Is Election Bait Forecast

WELLINGTON, This Day—The Government is bound to spring some surprises this year. One of the most likely may be a Piofit Sharing Bill, which could establish the principle of a compulsory, State-controlled profit-sharing scheme to operate in all establishments. Although the “unofficial Parliament” of New Zealand is now sitting—in the shape of the delegates to the annual Labour Paity conference in the Town Hall —the official session of the 80 elected representatives of the people is not expected to meet in the House of Representatives until the last week in June. I have it on the highest authority that the session is expected to last until about the middle of October, leaving about six weeks of campaigning before the general election in the last week or ten days of November.

Although the final session of the 28th Parliament is only a little more than four weeks away, there is still no definite indication of any large legislative programme. Obviously, many of the coming bills will not be decided upon until the Government has consulted its annual party caucus, but sufficient is known already to give an outline of what the country can expect. Like all its pre-election predecessors, the session promises to be one of electioneering platitudes and personal recriminations. If members are not extolling the virtues of their particular party, they will spend much of their speaking time in puerile arguments, such as “You did so” and “I did. not.” Little Tax Relief Expected

However, sandwiched between the plethora of words will be a certain amount of “meaty” legislation. Pride of place will go to Mr Nash’s Budget. The whole country is waiting optimistically for some sign of taxation relief, and no doubt Mr Nash’s Labour colleagues will press for some fat carrot to dangle before the electors. When I led up to this in a recent interview with Mr Nash he flashed one of his cryptic smiles and said, “You never can tell.” In spite of the pressure which will be brought to bear on Mr Nash, however, it might be safer to count on little tax relief and avoid disappointment.

One of the most interesting bills will be a measure to establish offcourse betting in line with last year’s referendum. The Racing Conference has appointed a special sub-commit-tee and its recommendations on the proposed conduct of betting agencies, etc., will be given every consideration by the Government. The licensing poll also will result in some minor legislation affecting Ashburton and Geraldine trusts and possibly the King Country. Compulsory Service Issue The Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, has an Army Consolidation Bill on the stocks. So far, this is merely a routine overhaul of the mass of legislation and regulations governing the Army. But if some form of national service is bludgeoned through the Labour Party conference it may well provide some of the most interesting reading of the session. The Minister of Railways, Mr Semple, also is known to have prepared a Railways Consolidation Bill. An amendment is likely to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act to provide for the recovery of wages for two years instead of the present 12 months, so as to conform with the amendment to the Shipping and Seamen Act of last session. This Bill will be in charge of the Minister of Labour, Mr McLagan, who may also take the opportunity of further amending this important Act. The Minister of Marine, Mr Hackett, will want to table an Inspection of Machinery Bill. There has been a redistribution of powers among the Minister of Marine, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Labour. Previously this Act has been administered by the Minister of Marine | The probable double taxation agreement with Australia will lead to legislation, and Mr Nash would also like to consolidate the laws relating to income tax. This allegedly minor item may well provide one of the niggers in the woodpile, for it is the sort of all-embracing measure which could contain anything. It has been the desire of the Attorney-

General, Mr Mason, for some time to set up a separate Court of Appeal ,and a bill has been drafted for nearly two years. Opposition On Its Toes The Opposition will be right .on its toes from the start of this session. Some of their subjects will include Communism, murder sentences, the Upper House, shortages and controls generally, housing, and a large number of other topical issues. All in all, it should be a most interesting session.

“For Pete’s Sake” There is a humourist in the austere setting of the Prime Minister’s Department on the top floor of Parliament Buildings. This floor, which houses the Department of External Affairs and the Information Section of the Prime Minister’s Department, is provided with a fairly large staffroom, where messengers and other members of the staff can enjoy a cup of tea. Some bright spark, with one eye on the element in the electric kettle and another on the known fondness of Mr Fraser for a cup of tea, has posted up a prominent notice reading, “For Pete’s sake, fill the kettle.” Caucus In Hot Water In spite of an efficient heating system, the bathrooms around Parliament Buildings are not notorious for the supply of hot water available during the recess. It was worthy of notice, but not unexpected, to find that the bathroom nearest the caucus room this week supplied steaming hot water all the week. A lukewarm trickle is about all the occupants of nearby offices get during other times. Mr Nash’s Patchwork Apron The urbane Minister of Finance, Mr Nash, should take a ticket in Tatts. Last week, he learned that he had won a patchwork apron in a raffle run by the Invercargill branch of the Labour Party. He had taken a bunch of tickets while there recently. The apron has since been passed on to Mrs Nash. Incidentally, it was made by a 99 year-old woman in Invercargill to whom Mr Nash has written a letter of thanks.