The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, MONDAY, JUNE 23, 1947. LIVELY PARLIAMENTARY SESSION PREDICTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22363, 23 June 1947, Page 2

The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, MONDAY, JUNE 23, 1947. LIVELY PARLIAMENTARY SESSION PREDICTED

LIVELY parliamentary session lias been predicted. Alt hough if is probable that the Government, with its meagre working majority, will not attempt to force much contentious legislation through the House of Representatives, it will be subjected to such a strong series of attacks from a resurgent and reanimated National Party that an element of acrimony in defence, seems inevitable. Failing to realise, or professing not to realise that its weakened position is due to its own headlong advance along the path of socialisation —a policy which has not met with the approval of a very large proportion of New Zealanders —and also to its apparent inability to cope convincingly with extremist tendencies within its own ranks, the. Government, will doubtless continue to blame the Opposition, critical organisations and the “Tory” press for its troubles. During the session which is about, to open the Opposition will have to bear the brunt of the counter-offensive —a task for which, it so happens, the National Party has never been better equipped since 1935. . , . . „ Already the storm is breaking. The Opposition is critical of Ilic Government’s selection of a completely Labour Commission ot five Legislative Councillors to open the twenty-eighth Parliament tomorrow. The usual practice is to include some Opposition representatives in the commission, whose duty it is to call Parliament together, direct the LoAver House to appoint its Speaker and to prepare the way for the Governor-General’s Speech from the Throne. Particularly since there is no real political significance attached to the task of the commission, this year’s all-Labour selection is open to the cluivg- of being a .pointless gesture or defiance.

Ordeals for Government

It is - with the more practical features of the session, however, that the public will be most interested. The progress p£ the Address-in-Reply debate will claim more than usual attention if, as has been predicted, a no-confidence motion is dealt with. The Government can be expected to marshall all its available forces foi the occasion and, though there may he some dramatic moments, it should survive this initial ordeal. Precisely what is in store later in the session is harder to forecast. Unity within the Labour Paity, whether it he inside or outside the walls of Parliament, is essential if the Government is to stand up to the political battering it. will surely receive. Definite proof will have to be shown that the Fraser regime is capable of maintaining industrial peace, inci easing production, providing for the homeless (as quickly as is possible in circumstances of admitted difficulty) and playing its part adequately in international affairs (the Bretton Woods issue cannot he evaded this time). . The greatest restlessness will be manifest among both tne primary and secondary producers of the Dominion if the Finance Minister, Air. Nash, cannot see his way clear to reduce taxation. In his recent report to the annual conference of the agricultural section of Federated Farmers, the chairman, Air. G. Stevenson, said that, contrary to a prevalent idea that the volume or iaim production had been increasing, the figures from the 1938-39 season onward showed that the volume of export production had remained static. At a time when public sentiment is all in favour of increased production not only for the sake of a Dominion vine depends upon primary production for its national prosperity but also in the interests of a Homeland which needs all the food that can be shipped to it, failure to guarantee increased pro vH ion will be viewed with much concern.

Taxation and Production.

Undoubtedly high taxation is hampering production of all kinds. Its crippling effect is one of the basic causes of the shortages existing within the Dominion. In the case of secondary industries, reserves for post-war reconstruction are at a depioiably loiv level Plant and machinery in many instances are m a state ot unprecendentcd disrepair, and until the incentive that can conic only with the removal of the over-severe taxation shackles is given the Ncav Zealand consumers must be prepared to put up with continued shortages and high prices. Air. Nash’s Budget, therefore, will he awaited with considerable anxiety particulaily it early reviews do not remove the impression recently given that f ew concessions are regarded by the Government as possible. Electricity and housing loom up as important talking-points during the session. Alaybe Air. Semple hopes he has shortcircuited the prevailing line of criticism by announcing the removal of the greater part of the emergency restrictions imposed upon North Island power users during the past three months. _ It jus hopes are justified, he is indeed indebted to the providential lams which have fallen in the various generating areas. It is likely, however, that the Minister will still have to defend the policy on which he has acted for many years. The need for standby plant will continue to be emphasised. . _ . The housing position remains distressing. It is interfering more with family life than is generally realised, and the attitude of returned servicemen who feel they have been let down can be understood. Has the Government done all that can reasonably be expected of it? The New Zealand Returned Services Association has carried a remit asking for the appointment ot a special ALinistcr of Housing supported by a full-time commission ot builders, timber producers and representatives of the K.b.A., tiacie unions and women’s organisations. The Government may think it is exploring every means of alleviating the situation, but it might he surprised at the ultimate results of united concentration on the sub ject by those people, including experts, who arc most closely concerned with the problem. The cx-serviccmcn’s proposal is ivorth putting into practice.