THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21007, 19 October 1931, Page 9

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT

MOTION. SLOW PROGRESS OF DEBATE. p V ; QUESTION of elections. 7 Istrenuous weeks ahead. r ß y TELEGRAFH.— SrECIAE reporter.] WELLINGTON. Sunday. The situation in Parliament is still full /fcf possibilities, but, it is not thought that an y definite pronouncement as to a postponement of the general election will be made le " o con^K ' cncc motion of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. 11. E. Holland, a amendment to it, tabled by Air. C. A. Wilkinson, representing the Independent group in Parliament, have been disposed of. It is now anticipated that the first of these votes, that 011 the gmendment, will not be taken before Wedjiesday next. / . The appearance and discussion of several important policy questions marked thß early part of last week, which, however, ended with somewhat heated wrangling about nothing of much account. The neW unemployment policy of the Coalition, as outlined by the Minister in charge of Unemployment, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, on Tuesday evening, .was, 011 the whole, Ter v well received, and although the possibility of a further twopence in the pound wage tax has aroused a little apprehension among lower-paid wagefarners throughout the country, the d<}velopmental and reproductive nature of {he work contemplated has given general satisfaction. At the same time, tlie Minister is still hopeful that additions to the wage tax will not become necessary and that' sufficient will bo procurable from lean moneys to tide the fund over for a few months until the machinery, of tho new scheme is operating smoothly and the board is living within its income of less than £50,000 a week. Wider Scope for Board. The Unemployment Act, as originally passed, has b(?en found to be too restrictive in its scope, and amendments to the Act will be among the measures shortly to he considered by the House. These will give the board wider scope and more pliable administrative machinery. Probably the regulations governing the local committees will be overhauled also, so that better results will be obtained for the money expended 011 relief work under their control. ' The House disposed of the land and income tax j 31 " 0 ? 051^3 the Government during the week, the sitting extending from the afternoon until daylight the following morning. It was thought, when urgency was sought for the passage of the two bills, that the Government was forcing its programme through, but the baste was purely to enable the Taxation Department, now well behind with its demands, to make up its assessments. Independents' Amendment. The tabling of the no-confidence motion and the Independents' amendment has again revived the whole policy of the .Government. Considerable party heat was generated during the debate on the supplementary Budget, but in spite of this the Prime Minister was hopeful that it would be disposed of before the weekend. • This did not fit in with the plans o5 the Opposition, however, and Friday's sitting ended without any sign of the end being in sight. In fact, the Prime Minister's plea half an hour before the sitting ended for a vote to finish the debate was without avail. Although the Leader of the Opposition indicated that the discussion Would be shortened appreciably if a guarantee were given that the general election would be held at the usual time no guarantee of this could be given, as it is believed that the Reform and United Parties have reached a tacit agreement, to be confirmed bv their respective caucuses, that a postponement of the election will be necessary. The debate will therefore go 011 and it can be predicted that' Labour will vote for Mr. Wilkinson's amendment, as the points stated by the /mover are said to be but part of numerous points which the Labour leader would have made had he set out his motion as a definite resolution. Twelve Months Limit Likely. It is probable that when an announcement of the Government's intention to extend the life of Parliament is made a limit of 12 months will be named, but the Ministry will reserve the Light to make an appeal to the country at any time within that period, thus ensuring that if the work of the Coalition produces sufficient financial stability during the first few months of the new year an election might become desirable in the autumn. The-Prime Minister expects <0 make the announcement as soon as (lie leaders arrange details of this plan and it is endorsed by the caucuses. It is known, however, that in the event of an announcement by the, Prime Minister that an election is to be held this year, tho Opposition will not binder the passage of legislation, but will merely record their votes, leaving it to the leaders to state their objections. In the absence of such an announcement some \erv close voting can be expected before Parliament rises. Work Still to be Done. Some strenuous weeks are ahead, for there is some important business to be transacted. The Industrial Conciliation and -Arbitration Bill will probably appear during the coining week, when the Cabinet has approved its final drafting. Labour can be expected to put up strong opposition to this measure. Progress was made this week-end upon the Broadcasting Bill, which, it is believed, will not be, altered materially from its basic principle of the public ownership of the radio broadcasting system. In addition to this, amendments are contemplated to the Mortgagors' Relief Bill and (he House will have to pass a measure postponing the election, should this lie the decision of the coalition parlies. The Estimates have be revised before being discussed in the •House, a procedure which will occupy £ome time. „A committee has to report highways finance and the Public V"°rks Statement will make its appearance °ward (he end of the session.