SESSION’S WORK

Hawera Star, Volume L, 26 June 1930, Page 5

SESSION’S WORK

DISCUSSION IN CAUCUS UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF PLANS EXCLUSION OP FEMALES (By Telegraph —Special to “The Star.”) WELLINGTON, June 2G. Both the Reform and United Parties held caucus discussion's yesterday and no developments of importance emerged. The Labour Party has decided not 'to hold a. carte us until Parliament has opened and it has thei advantage of knowing the sessional programme as outlined in the speech from the throne.

This will be delivered by His Exee’l--lon (vv the Governor-General' in the Legislaltive .Oomneil alt 2.®0. ,p.m.'to-day, and there will be only a brief meeting of the House of Representatives following, while another short sitting is expected on Friday, owing to the adjournment usually taken out of respect to former mdmbers of the 'House who have died during the recess. The United memlbers commenced their meeting yesterday morning, continued it during portion of the afternoon and decided ‘to resume in the evening., Unlike the other parties, they are, of course, well informed regarding the Government’s prograimme, for Cabinet i>s taking its supporters fully into its cortfidehce. Much time was spent yesterday in outlining the principles of the proposed legislation and hearing discussions. The Prime Minister’s comment at the dinner adjournment was that the atmosphere was very friendly and the discussions quite helpful.

IT N EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION

It is reported that the Government members have had an explanation of the main provisions of the Unemployment Relief Bill, which is to be introduced early and referred to a special (committee of the House. In the main it is proposed l to follow the lines suggested by the representative committee which has been advising the Government on the matter, though it may be predicted that the Government is not inclined to, adopt without modificaion the financial provisions recommended in the report. Another significant, change from the published plans of the committee may also be expected. It iw'as originally proposed that the sjeheme for the provision of work or, in the alternative, unemployment relief payments, should 1 apply to all workers below ‘a certain wage maximum, whether male or female. [When the Bill is introduced it will bo found that females have been excluded. 'Opinion is that as this legislation is really a pioneer effort, not following the lines of the English Act, a more m'odest start should be made than that suggested by the unemployment committee. The Government prefers to recommend a cautious policy in breaking new ground, leaving 'the question open for subsequent legislation if the success of the original scheme justifies an extension to all workers regardless of sex.