PARLIAMENT'S WORK.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13856, 17 April 1917, Page 1

PARLIAMENT'S WORK.

rOREOAST OP LEOISUTION.

INDUSTRIAL, AWAfIDS MAY BE ' VARIED.

A question put to-the Acting-Prime Minister on Friday by the correspond (lent of the Dunedin' Eevnirig Star elicited tho statemont that,.as far as lie knew, only war legislation would be dealt' with by Parliament during'the coining session. This muchmignt have been guessod. Parliament will not be in a mood for dealing with ..domestic Bills, even if tho Government .had time to-prepare them; but there, are, indications that tho war legislation Vill cover a considerable amount of ground. First place in order of importance will be given to tho Lonn Bill, which will involve additional taxation, unless victory comes a good deal quicker than most people.expect, It is likely, that the deliberations of the National Efficiency Board will produce a crop of Bills. Que of them may give the Government power to vary awards in the direction of increasing the weekly hours to be worked for the minimum rate. Something of this kind will be necessary in the war period if the struggle is continued into another yoar, and the present rate of recruiting is maintained. Even the question of the soldiers' pensions and allowances is likely to be - reopened, 'in view of the impending mobilisation of the Second Division reservists. It is quite possible, of course, that Mr Masscy and Sir Joseph Ward will come back from the War Conference with a budget of Bills for the attention of the New Zealand legislators, but moro probably the big questions that are being discussed at Home will be held over for settlement after the war.

AMUSEMENTS IN WAR TIME.