ELECTION SESSION

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 19 May 1928, Page 3

ELECTION SESSION

SOME IMPORTANT TOPICS. NOT MUCH LEGISLATION. SPECIAL TO THE STAR. WELLINGTON, Alay 18. The coming session, following one which lasted over six months and produced over a hundred public Acts, is not likely to be prolific of legislation. The Government in any case is prepared to maintain that its election promises have nearly all been translated into statute form, and very little is left to be done. However, during the few weeks remaining before the session opens on June 28th, Cabinet meetings will be held almost daily, A 1 misters will stay more continuously in the capital than is at present the case and some legislative innovations are likely to be prepared to make the Government programme interesting. Controversy rather than legislation is likely to be the feature of the session,- and this will not be too prolonged, because members become restive towards October, when their rivals, not in Parliament and free to the constituencies, begin to campaign. The parties, with the big fight in view, will utilise debate as a preliminary to the hustings, and it can be taken as a certainty that the official opposition will commence this session, as it did the last, with a condemnation of the Government’s handling of Samoan difficulties. The Nationalist section of the opposition will reflect its activities in the country by showing a more aggressive spirit than in recent sessions, so that the Government forces will need to be extremely alert in their endeavours to face the electors during November under satisfactory, conditions. UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATION

The lieveliest subjects for prospective measures will be those presented by private members. Mr Sidey will of course endeavour to make daylight saving a permanent feature in New Zealand, and advocates of religious education in the primary schools are still hoping that the House which passed a Nelson system amendment will be induced to see that this is not adequate from their viewpoint. Will the Prime Alinister repeat, in any form, liis efforts to secure amendment of the licensing law ? The position is very indefinite. It was not faced at the recent caucus of Reform members, because tlie business kept steadily to the front was that of organisation for the coming elections, the gathering being attended by influential Govenfment supporters interested in organisation, hut not belonging to the Parliamentary Party. The contentious subject was mentioned, but it was “left to the Prime Minister” in whom the caucus indicated its complete confidence as leader. The Prime Alinister knows that a majority of the Lower House will amend any licensing measure in a way to which lie takes strong objection. Efforts have been made during the recess to discover some line of compromise which would lend the House out of the present impasse, hut there was no sign of hope. It may happen that the Prime Minister will decline to try any more experiments on this thorny subject prior to an election, and tlie result will be the transference of the controversy on tlie form of the licensing ballot-paper to the election platforms. No private member is able to introduce a measure involving' appropriation of public money, and it would be difficult to devise any licensing legislation which did not come within the scope of this standing order. It must be introduced by Governor’s message, and His Excellency acts only on the advice of his Alinisters. Failing action 'by the Prime Alinister, the attempt may be tried by a private member, but it cannot get far along the parliamentary roacl, and there is always the Legislative Council in the background, ready to vote any measure resembling that which, was submitted to it last session. Licensing, and religious education in State schools are likely to be important topics in the coming campaign. THE INCOAIE TAX. Revision in the income tax scale which meant slightly higher payments by taxpayers in the “middle” register were made last session as a preliminary to general adjustment of the complete scale. No hint has yet been given by the Alinister of Finance that he will specially consider income tax payers this session, but there are indications pointing that way. Departmental heads who have recently submitted their estimates of expenditure for the year have generally found that Cabinet made reductions. There is a tendency to economise on departmental expenditure, and the public have been let into the secret so far as defence is concerned, the scheme of territorial training having been restricted this year as a means to economy. The past year ended with a modest surplus, the pleasant discovery lias been made that our loans can be raised on a P er cent basis, and this means easier finance. The revision of the income tax, with some concessions would be an extremely popular and timely policy move. ARBITRATION ACT. The most important legislative item to which the Government is committed for the coming session is that' of amending the Arbitration Act. Dras-| tic amendments submitted last session had to be replaced with a stop-gap measure definitely providing for some legislation this session. Alean while the Industrial Conference has been considering the whole bearings of the subjects, and its recomemndationis will no doubt assist the Government in framing amendments, probably in the direction of strengthening the powers of conciliation councils. OTHER AIATTERS. An amendment of tlie Government Railways Act will be necessary in accordance' with the change of policy replacing the Railway Board by a general manager. This will give opportunity for interesting discussions, not only in regard to tlie changes which have taken place in the higher administration of tlie Department, but its capacity to stand the pressure of motor competition on improved roads. There is a steady plan of consolidation of legislation in progress, and next for attention is the Education Act and its many amendments. A consolidation of this law may make its appearance during the session Land settlement has not been a vigorous activity during recent years, though several amendments of the Land Act have liberalised the conditions of purchase and occupation of Crown lands. It is intended to provide a further instalment on these lines during the coming session, and it will he interesting to see whether the Hon. A. D. AlcLeod, Alinister of Lands, lias been able to carry Iris ministerial colleagues with him along the line which he has suggested, that if the country considers secondary industries are worthy of subsidising in their infant stages, that the primary industry, the basis of our prosperity, is equally worth assistance in order to induce more settlers to go on the difficult classes of country which still awaits development.