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Grey River Argus, 12 May 1932, Page 8

END OF SESSION

UPPER HOUSE. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, May 11. The Bills passed during the session were: Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendments, Mortgagors ’ and Tenants’ Relief,' Unemployment Amendment, Public Safety Conservation, Local Elections and Polls Amendment, Trade Agreement (New' Z.ealanl and Canada), Ratification Land and Income Tax (annual), Land Laws Amendment, National Expenditure Adjustment, Finance and Thames Borough Commissioners. Among the effects of the legislation are the following: A reduction in the wages and salaries of public servants, 20 per cent, reduction in interest rates and rents, reductions in pensions, special measures for the conservation of public safety, prolongation of life of Parliament, the imposition of wages tax of one shilling in the pound, and the introduction of optional arbitration and compulsory conciliation in industrial relationships. In the Legislative Council, Mr Smith, discussing the second reading of the Finance Bill, supported the extension of the life of Parliament, and said the only question was whether Parliament should extend its own life. He expressed the opinion that legislators should be the custodians of each other’s honour. Public men were being slandered in New Zealand and member? of the Legislature should refute such slanders.

Replying, Sir J. Parr said that all decent people would reprehend the vilification of public men. There was too much idle gossip going on in New Zealand about a certain man and he hoped it wQul.d cease. Tic said that three year Parliaments wore most wasteful, and the proposed extension was most necessary, in order to enable the Government to put its legislation through. The second reading was agreed to.

In Sir T. Sidcy called for a division on the clause fixing the school commencing age at six, but it was retained by 12 votes to one. On the clause providing' for the extension of the life of Parliament, Sir F. Bell said he must oppose it. He was as much in favour of the four years term as anyone, but the Government wash doing the improper thing in including such a provision in the so-called Finance Bill. No Parliament had the right, to extend its own life without first going to the electors, and no such action had been taken since the Rump Parliament. By adopting the clause they would be establishing a most dangerous precedent. Sir F. Bell said that he proposed to divide the. Council, but the Chairman (supported by the Speaker) ruled that the Council could not deal with the clause. It was then adopted on the voices.

The Bill was put through committee, read a third time, and passed. The Council agreed to the amendments in the National Expenditure Adjustment Bill.