The Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1938. A Very Short Session

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 63, 16 March 1938, Page 4

The Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1938. A Very Short Session

Prior to Parliament being summoned to meet less than three weeks ago there were general expectations that the session would extend until May. The introduction of highly important and far-reaching legislation was anticipated—that dealing with the national health and superannuation schemes.

Apparently the Cabinet is not yet prepared to introduce this legislation. That this should be so is quite understandable. The project is a vast one and requires the most careful and far-sighted preparation that can possibly be given to it. On these grounds the Ministry is to bo commended for hastening slowly.

As regards the very short session now closed, little of importance has been dealt with. Two outstanding items were the Tariff Amendments and the Iron and Steel Bill, both highly contentious measures. The remaining business was really of a machinery nature and aroused no great interest either within or without the House.

A month lienee, at Easter, the annual Labour Conference will meet. There doubtless the party record to date will be reviewed and recommendations made for future action. This conference naturally influences powerfully the conduct of the Parliamentary Labour Party.

The, next session may be expected some three months hence; the final one of this Parliament, almost certainly one of keen debates upon measures contentious and otherwise, and one wherein important bills should make their appearance, the most important of all being the aforementioned national health and the superannuation schemes coming probably as two Bills.

This session will also see brought down the year’s Financial Estimates. The expenditure and taxation provisions will certainly be awaited with the keenest interest. Altogether, the session due this winter is one to be looked forward to with mixed feelings of anticipation, trepidation and curiosity. With an election possible in October, the session is unlikely to extend over three months. It will, however, almost certainly be a momentous one.