LENGTH OF THE SESSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19405, 13 August 1926, Page 10

LENGTH OF THE SESSION.

MR. COATES' DEPARTURE. CURIOSITY OF MEMBERS. [BY TELEGRAPH.-r-rSFECIAL EXPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Prime Minister notified the House to-day that Monday sittings will commence on Monday, August 23. He proposed, he said; to take all local bills which were ready cn that day. He hoped to take the Railway Statement on Tuesday next. Mr. J. McCombg (Lytteltori): When are you bringing in the washing up bills, the Local Bodies Bill, and the Land Bill ? Mr. Coates replied that the Minister of Lands had several of the clauses under consideration. In reply to a question as to whether a date for the end of the session had been fixed, Mr. Coates said there was quite a lot of work yet to be cleared up, and an estimate of a date was not possible just now. . .. Mr. H. 15. Holland (Leader of the Opposition): What will you do if you have to leave for the Imperial Conference before Parliament ends ? Will you follow the method adopted by the late Mr. Massey and leave someone in charge of the House ? Sir John Luke (Wellington North) asked if the postponement of the local bills would mean a delay to their consideration in, the other House. Mr. Coates said he was informed thatthis would not act. to the detriment of Sir John Luke's bill. He hoped to be able to give tho House an indication on Tuesday next as to what date the session would bo likely to end, and also to state what would happen to the House in the event of his having to leave for England before the conclusion of business. Mr. H., E. Holland asked whether it was proposed to take the Government Rail-ways Bill befoi-e or after the consideration of the Railway Statement. He thought it {should be held until after the Statement had been discussed. Mr. Coates said the Railways Bill which was on the Order Paper at present was purely consolidation. A Railways Amendment Bill would be introduced later on. This bill he expected to have read and (sent to the Railways Committee on Thursday next.