WORK OF SESSION

Gisborne Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9572, 25 July 1923, Page 5

WORK OF SESSION

MR, MASSEY DEMANDS MORE SPEED.

PREAIIER.’S REMINDER TO

HOUSE

WELLINGTON, July 24. Mi Massey, in moving that Government business take precedence 011 Wednesdays and on Thursdays, said that if he was going to the Imperial Conference he must leave New Zealand about August 28, wlicili would land him in London the day before the Conference opened and it was 111 the interests of New Zealand that ho should not arrive later. He would give private members a further opportunity of bringing their Bills before the House, but he must clear the way to bring forward those measures which, the Government considered of first 1 importance. Mr. Wilford said that so far the Premier had not told the House which 'Bills he considered of first importance. The Liberals considered that the Bill dealing with electoral reform was of the first importance and what he feared was that when the Premier got Ills own Bills through, he would simply say his steamer was leaving and ho was sorry nothing more could bo clone. Messrs. Veitch, Forbes and Hannn protested gaainst the House closing down just because the Premier wanted to go to the Imperial Conference. The Premier, in reply, said that lie was anxious the conferences should

i sometimes meet in the i bailing that the New Zealand Par- ; Lament could meet a few months earlier npd in that wav the road could be cleared to permit th.e Premier to attend once in two years, which lie i believed was as often as they were likely to meet in the future. In bis opinion, the House should pass the Local Legislation Bill, the Death Duties Amendment, and the Insurance Companies’ Deposits amendment. 'There would be two Land and Income Tax Bills—one the annual Bill and the other a consolidating measure. The Government regarded i tlie Soldiers’ Land Bill as the most l important measure of the session, and j if he could get that through, he would j not regret dropping one or two of the ' others. There was also a small Tari iff Bill and the Dairy Control Bill, which were now bqifcn'e committee, A Gaming Bill was being asked for. Air. Isitt: ‘"that can stand over.” Air. Massey said he had many deputations this session on this subject I and legislation was being urgently asked for. There must also be Finance and Loan Bills and the State Ad- . vanoes Bill must also be put through as it- dealt with ttyi important subject of housing. Members wished to know all about j the Electoral Bill, but, beyond stating that the measure was in course | of being prepared the Premier refused i to be drawn. i Concluding, he said the House had twenty-five working days before it if lie was going to England. He had seen much more important business put through in a shorter time even at the end ol : an ordinary session. , The motion was agreed to.—P.A.