HOUSE DEBATES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21853, 25 October 1945, Page 3

HOUSE DEBATES

PARLIAMENT’S PLANS COUNTRY QUOTA TO-DAY THE EMPLOYMENT BILL (P.R.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 25. The suspended discussion on the introduction of the Electoral Bill, with its proposal to abolish the country quota and alter the basis of the computation of the electoral boundaries, will be resumed in the House of Representatives to-day. This discussion will be followed by continuation of the second reading debate on the Social Security Amendment Bill, upon which a little time was spent before the House adjourned last night. According to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, the main debate on the Electoral Bill is to open next Wednesday. The greater part of yesterday afternoon’s sitting was devoted to consideration of written Ministerial replies to questions. Particular reference was made to the arrrfhgements for the return of New Zealand service personnel from overseas. The Employment Bill was put through its remaining stages and passed after the Opposition endeavoured in committee to include a specific provision that compulsion would not be exercised in direction to employment and that the Minister of Employment should be a member of the House of Representatives. Both amendments were defeated. On the motion of the Prime Minister it was decided that on and after Wednesday next Government business takes precedence on Wednesdays. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland, asked whether this was an indication that more rapid progress would be made, and was assured by the Prime Minister that it all depended on the good sense of the House.