EARLY SESSION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 9 March 1921, Page 5

EARLY SESSION

LABOUR ACTIVITY,

fßy Telegraph—Special to the Star.) . , WELLINGTON, Mar. 9. Ministers are busily preparing for the snort session, but few members nave yet arrived, excepting those of the official -Labour Party, who will hold a caucus to-day. The party's attitude towards the [Prime Minister's Home trip has been forecasted' by its leader, who spoke on the subject in Wellington on Sunday night. His remarks were not reported in the press, but there was a lively incident as the result of the Government's desire to have a verbatim record. A Hansard reporter was detailed to make notes, and Mr Holland hotly protested against this proceeding, declaring that policemen's work snould not be done by offiecrs of Parliament. Loud cries from the audience suggested the putting out of the Hansard notetaker, . but Mr Holland cleclmed to adopt this proposal. This matter will be ventilated during the early stages of the session. Mr Holland's meeting ended with cheers for open diplomacy. _ As for the session the Prime Minister is to be almost the only Minister concerned. His Appropriation Bill .will contain provision for supplies lasting until his return, and he has promised to fix next year' 6 income tax. Time will als&jbe found for an amendment of the Snops ano Offices Act to meet the requests of small shopkeepers. "Vir TT. Downie Stewart, Minister of Internal Affairs, is reported to be inf vestigating • the position which will arise through Parlament being adjourned until after, the racing seaso* commences ,and thus being unable, in accoitfanoe with the Government's promise, to pass its decision on. the increase or redistribution of totalisato/ permits. The course to be adopted^Gy tne vTovernment to keep faith with the House is not yet decided. The opening ceremony will have a new spectacular feature, as a number of New Zealand's naval force frcm the Chatham will participate