HOUSE ADJOURNS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 295, 10 November 1934, Page 7

HOUSE ADJOURNS

RESUMPTION IN FEBRUARY.

FORECAST OF LEGISLATION,

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. 10. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m. .

Mr J. A. Lee gave notice of his intention to introduce a Bill to empower the Minister of Defence to insist on the New Zealand War Funds Council and the New Zealand Red Cross and Canteen Fund distributing a greater proportion of their funds for the relief of distress among returned soldiei-s. Mr C. H. Chapman asked the Minister of Employment whether, in view of the fact that at September ‘'3o, 1934, the balance to credit in the Unemployment Fund amounted to £l,821,953, he would take immediate steps to increase the payments to the unemployed. Hon. J. A. Young, in reply, said that while the cash balance in the fund was as stated, the ti-ue balance, after deducting liabilities actually incurred but not paid, was approximately only £460,000. That represented only about five weeks’ reserve allocations. It would therefore be appreciated that the board had not the surplus reserves available to be transferred which Mr Chapman had quoted.

The House adjourned till the ringing of the bells to permit of a discussion between the managers of the House and the Legislative Council regarding a clause in the Local Legislation Bill regarding a legacy left to the Hastings Hospital. When the House resumed Mr Young reported that an agreement had been reached between the managers of the respective Houses and Rt. Hon. G: W. Forbes moved that the House adjourn till February 13 and this rvas agreed to.

Replying to Mr H. G. R. Mason, Mr Forbes assured members that the legislation the Government would bring down would be ready for presentation to the House. It would be put through with the utmost despatch. The legislation to be introduced would relate to the Mortgage Corporation, reorganisation of the Native Department and Native land settlement. The most important legislation would be that affecting the Mortgage Corporation. It would not be possible to deal with such far-reaching financial proposals in a hurried way. Mr Forbes referred to the most important measures that had been dealt with during the session and congratulated the Minister of Finance on the •way he had handled the tariff revision, Finance Bills, and Companies Acts. He had shown a great deal of tact and ability in the way he had presented those measures’’ to the House.

Asked about the date of the general election, Mr Forbes said he was not in a position yet to state the date on which it would be held, but members would receive ample notice. Some smaller measures might be presented in the autumn session, but no general legislation that would prolong the Bession.

The Premier conveyed to members the season’s greetings and Mr M. J. Savage reciprocated.

The House rose at 12.15,