Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, SEPT. 22, 1933. PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 253, 22 September 1933, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, SEPT. 22, 1933. PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

The Prime Minister has g-iveii an assurance that there will not be any surprise legislation during the present session. The announcement is to be welcomed as relief from the shocks which have been inseparable from the Government’s legislation of the past two years. The nature of the task before the Coalition made many of these impossible of avoidance, but there have been some, notably the raising of the exchange rate, which are still held to have been avoidable. Having dealt with pressing economic problems Parliament during the session , which opened yesterday will devote attention, as surmised recently, to legislation which has had to await the opportunitj'-. The programme is not a light one. The outline of measures in the Governor-Gen-eral’s speech shows that members have before them a rather strenuous session, which Mr Eorbes hopes will be concluded before December arrives. That, perhaps, is a little too optimistic, unless members show a disposition to facilitate. The opportunity will come when the Address-in-Reply debate commences next week. The Government desires to see it limited to a few days; that is praiseworthy and should earn the co-operation of the parties. The debate merely provides the opportunity for members to discuss a wide variety of subjects without benefit to the community at large, and in these times should be disposed of in a minimum of time, whatever may be done in the future when normal conditions prevail. The dictates of economy provide an adequate reason why the motion should not be discussed at length, and the country looks to members to expedite the debate. It will be readily agreed that some of the Government’s measures are necessary, but there are others which surely could have been held over. The Poultry Amendment Bill, the Prime Minister says, will be brought before Parliament. This,was one of several Bills which had to run the gauntlet of sharp comment last session. It proposed to register poultry-keepers possessing more than 25 fowls. Previously, those with 12 were to come within the Bill’s provisions. A Board also is to be set up to control the industry. The absurdity of compelling people keeping a few fowls to register was eventually recognised and the alteration made accordingly, but the question why poultrymen cannot organise their industry without legislation adding another to the many Boards of Control in the country has yet to be satisfactorily answered. Principal among the measures outlined in the Speech from the Throne are the amendment to the company law and the Reserve Bank Bill, the latter of which is still a most debatable issue. Unfortunately, the Government remains adamant m its determination to have the Bank established. The long promised enquiry to bring greater efficiency and economy into the administration of the many local bodies throughout the country is announced and will be welcomed. This is a matter which has been mentioned for several years without anything being done, A total of 6SI local bodies for a population of a million and a halt is surely out of all proportion to the actual requirements, and there is room for amalgamation, provided local and parochial feelings are submerged in the general welfare, leading to greater economy and efficiency. The present session of Parliament is the more interesting . for the reason that from to-day the Coalition

Government entered upon the third year of its Administration. In the grave emergency of two years ago the Reform and United Parties agreed to act in concert in conducting the country’s business, and a mandate to continue was given at the general election less than three months later. Since then the Government’s task has been most difficult and at times distasteful. But having legislated to meet the economic situation, its energies now should be directed towards giving the needed relief from the burden of taxation that industry requires to take advantage of the better conditions ahead and to stimulate the flow of prosperity.