THE SESSION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 310, 28 November 1933, Page 6

THE SESSION

APPLICATION OF PRESSURE. MAY END BY DECEMBER 15. (By Telegraph.-—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 28. It is intended to put pressure on Parliament in the hope of completing the legislative programme by December 15. Already the evening adjournment time has been extended till midnight, and Monday sittings will come next to hasten' the end, as the Government wishes to defer to commercial opinion that the rising of Parliament lias some effect on retail trading. It is a reassuring position that the era of emergency legislation has passed and a longer recess can be considered as a possibility. There is, consequently, every prospect that the proposed early session in 1934 will not eventuate. It had been thought necessary to meet by the end of March to deal with the tariff at the earliest moment in accordance with the Ottawa Conference understanding that the Nevv Zealand duties be revised, giving, if possible, greater preference to British manufactures. The tariff investigation was postponed at the request of British manufacturers’ representatives and has involved such an extensive inquiry that the Commission will probably require a further extension of time before its report can be presented. It has then to be considered by the Government and amendments in the tariff decided upon. The actual report may not be available till the end of February. Therefore, it is quite possible that the session’s reopening will be delayed till May or June. " REMAINING ’-MEASURES. The Government still has a number of measures for consideration, though the accomplished programme is already substantial. Any serious hitch in connection with the legislation still ’ to be considered would result in leaving it over. However, an important f inance Bill has yet to come, while the Estimates will require a good deal of time for consideration. The Companies Bill makes a further appearance next week after an expert committee has reported on the amendments suggested by the House of Representatives. Some important select committee investigations have to be completed before the end of the session. The Industries and Commerce Committee has petrol prices under consideration in connection with the petition that the Government fix minimum prices to prevent excessive competition, while the Agricultural and Pastoral Committee intends to take evidence on the proposal to make a levy on wool, particularly in the North Island, with a view to financing researches into the improvement of quality.