PARLIAMENTS PROGRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21131, 14 March 1932, Page 11

PARLIAMENTS PROGRESS

COMING WEEK'S WORK. THE ARBITRATION BILL. LONG DEBATE ANTICIPATED. LENGTH OF PRESENT SESSION. r ß y TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Sunday, parliament continues to make haste slowly, but at least the week past has jnen the conclusion of the Addrcss-in-Reply .debate, and concentration of attention on the first legislative proposal 0 f the emergency session programme, namely, tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill. Consideration of that measure is still at the second reading stage, but a division may be reached to-morrow night. In its vigorous opposition to the bill tho Labour Party has been reinforced by several Government supporters, who proposo to vote against tho Coalition Party. The passage of the bill is not in danger, but it is virtually certain that some of the clauses will be revised jn Committee. The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, is inclined to take a tolerant view of the action of a few supporters in opposing this policy measure. Later legislative proposals may also impose tests on party loyalty and it will be interesting to see whether further freedom of action will bo allowed independently-inclined Coalitionists. One* gathers that Mr. Forbes is not altogether happy about tho naturo of the legislation bo proposes to introduce. Economic Necessity. "I am told that neither Ballanco nor fjeddon would have acted so," said Mr. Forbes when discussing tho session's work yesterday. "I seem to be pictured as one desirous of pulling down every pillar in the temple of Libeialism," he added, with a wry smile. Mr. Forbes' contention is, of course, that he is being driven at the poiat of economic necessity to do some most unpleasant things and that the Liberal giants of the past would have been compelled to act in a similar manner to meet present circumstances. Parliament has now been in session for three weeks and there is a prospect of many more weeks' work ahead as only one bill has appeared yet. Tho Cabinet had the Mortgagors' Relief Extension Bill under consideration yesterday and Mr. Forbes said subsequently that the measure would be introduced early in the coming week. Interest Charges. It is learned that the Government also proposes to legislate f° r a reduction of interest charges. That will be one of the most important provisions of a finance bill to appear later. Now that the Government is in possession of the interim report of the National Expenditure Commission tho legislative programme can be mapped out with more certainty. 'I he House will probably. have -in opportunity during the t-oming week to discuss the lepoit an J the related report made by the Economists' Committee. It is already evident in the lobbies that the commission's report will be widely ciiticised. Unfortunately. some members seem unable to take a detached view of the recommendations and are obviously biased against, the report because their own priv.leges are endangered. It is expected that before the Easter vacation is taken the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Downie Stewart, will have made his statement on the financial position as revealed by tho figures for 11 months of the current year. ' Ihere will also be incorporated in the statement the comments made by the Economists' Committee regarding tho budgetary posiLion. Unemployment Policy. There is also a degree of expectancy regarding an announcement to be made within the next few days concerning unemployment. Ihe Minister in change Unemp lovment, Pit. Hon. J. G. Coates, has had" his scheme prepared for some weeks, but details have been withheld to enable the plan to be considered in relation to the general financial position. The Cabinet is having a busy week-end arranging the legislative programme and to give further opportunity for discussions it has been arranged that the House will not meet until to-morrow evening, thus leaving the afternoon free. Ministers are securing little respite from the cares of office even at week-ends. One can almost believe that Mr. Forbes customary morning stroll in the Botanical Gardens, just now a blaze of colour, provides tho one bright incident in a Succession of grey days. Further discussion of the Arbitration 'Amendment Bill will be heard to-mor-row evening. Mr. Forbes does not intend to apply for urgency as he believes that ample opportunity should be given for expression of opinion on such an important measure. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. 11. E. Holland, and Several of his front bench colleagues have Hot vet participated in the debate so it is a moot point whether the second reading will bo reached to-morrow nigh , although that is the hope of the Prime Minister. I) is also possible Mr. Holland V'ill move an amendment, seeking, 101 instance, to postpone the second reading for six months. Although that, proposition would be defeated, such tactics prolong the debate. Conference at Ottawa. It is reliably estimated that the session will almost certainly extend into May. Suggestions are already being made that it will be found expedient to postpone the opening of the normal session from June to October. It is regarded as almost certain that Mr. Forbes will attend the, Imperial Economic Confcience fit Ottawa in July, and it is possible that the .Minister of Finance, Mr. Stewart, frill accompany him. As Parliament frill still be in session after the close the current financial year it is considered that the Government will have a n opportunity to arm itself with th« Necessary legislation for dealing with next, year's finances before members leave Wellington six or seven weeks hence. It is considered inadvisable to hold n Session in the absence of the Prime Minister and .Minister of Finance. In ""y case it is not thought that a long Session lasting the normal four or five Months will Tie justified after the completion of the emergency session's programme Times call only for legislation deal w.tli the financial and economic situation, and it is considered that, the period between October and ChiistHas will bo ample for that purpose. By time also the financial position will he under review in tho light of the halfyear's figures and necessity. More is likely to be heard about the ® r beine for postponing the June session during the next few weeks.