WORK OF PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20628, 29 July 1930, Page 11

WORK OF PARLIAMENT.

DEBATE ON THE BUDGET.

COMMENCEMENT TO-DAY*

labour party attitude.

LONG DISCUSSION EXPECTED* telegraph.—special reporter.] WELLINGTON. Monday. The crucial debate of the sossioa will open in the llousq of Representatives tomorrow evening, when tho discussion on llie'Budget will begin. After the announcement of the Government's taxation proposals last week it was generally appreciated that tho United Party had taken an extromely bold step, which might involve, if, in danger. There have since been no visiblo developments f ( , die interesting political situation which has thus arisen. Tho issue really resolves itself into a question of whether, the Labour Party will feol inclined to accord its support to a taxation policy which places additional burdens on virtually < .\ervono in the community. It has been suggested that Labour might br. influenced by tho events in the Federal Parliament, in Australia last year, when Mr. Seullin swept the polls after the Bruce Government had refused to recede from its stand on tho proposed entertainment. tax. However, the drastic steps Mr.. Seullin has sinco taken with n view to righting the position thero may discourage tho Labour Party in New Zealand from tempting providenco by precipitating a political crisis here. Tho few Labour members in Parliament Buildings to-day wero not very communicative on the subject of tho party's contemplated action and it seems likely that Labour will content itself with being highly critical, but that tho criticism will not bo accompanied by threats.

A gathering of tho Reform members will lie held to-morrow morning to deride upon the course of action tho official Opposition will pursue. It has not vet been decided whether the Leader of tho party, tha Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, or the Hon. W. Downie ytewart, tho Minister of Finance in the Reform Government, ■v.ill open the debate. - That point will also be decided to-morrow.

Speakers are allowed an hour each on the Financial debato. compared with half an hour on the Address-in-Reply, so that it seems likely that the discussion will cover at least a fortnight.. The Unemployment Bill will be further considered to-morrow afternoon and tho Priino Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, is hopeful that the bill will then bo read a second time, thus enabling it to be referred to a special committee.

An Imprest Supply Bill will also be Accessary before Friday and as that will allow a discussion on a wide range of subjects it is possible that tho Financial debate may be subjected to several interruptions during tho week.