WORK OF PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21315, 17 October 1932, Page 11

WORK OF PARLIAMENT

DEFINITE PROGRESS MADE BUDGET DEBATE DELAYED THE OTTAWA AGREEMENT DISCISSION THIS WEEK [Br TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] "WELLINGTON, Sunday Word-spinning is still one of the Parliamentary fine arts, yet in spite of its own verbosity the House of Representatives is: making definite progress with the work of tho session. The tabling of the . £ n al report of the National Expenditure Commission, the presentation of the Budget, and revelation of tho tariff arrangements made under the Ottawa agreement with Britain are three events which hare occurred within the first three weeks of the session. There is much routine work yet to be done, but the general principles of that programme have been sketched and to a largo extent the length to which the session will run now depends more upon the rank and file members than upon the Government. Unfortunately, it is not the habit of Parliament to concentrate for any length of time upon one subject, and consequently the threads of several debates are apt to become intertwined. The past week provided a typical example of such entanglements. Financial Debate Sidetracked The week began with members concerned only with reflections on the Budget. However, the financial debate was sidetracked several times,* and is still unfinished. Almost two afternoons were spent i'n discussing the principle of compulsory arbitration, as a result of an endeavour by Mr. J. McCombs (Labour — Lyttelton) to introduce an Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, while the announcement of the Ottawa customs resolution? on Thursday evening also assisted in diverting the attention of members from the Budget. Finally, the appearance of the first Imprest Supply Bill of 'the session on Friday virtually caused the Budget dehate to be forgotten. The date of resumption of the financial debate is still indefinite. When the House resumes on Tuesday the plan is to allow members to discuss tho general' implications of the Ottawa agreement on a formal ratification motion. The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, in accordance with his promise, will not bring down the appropriate Customs Amendment Bill until the following week. The interval between the passing of the resolutions and the appearance of the bill is designed to enable the hearing of representations on the tariff agreement. However, Mr. Forbes said yesterday that he djd not anticipate that any serious objections would be raised to the arrangements made. The tariff list was exceedingly brief, and the concessions made should not cause much concern to those engaged in secondary industries in New Zealand. It is probable that Tuesday and Wednesday will be devoted to the debate on the Ottawa agreement, and that the Budget debate will be resumed on Thursday. Little other business is likely to be dons dfiring the week. Delay With Policy Measures However, once the Budget debate is over, the way will be clear for discussing the Estimates, a task which normally occupies two days a week for several weeks. A little apprehension is being felt regarding {ha backward nature of the Government's legislative programme. Only one policy bill, that dealing with the position of the Public Trustee as Sinking Funds Commissioner for certain local bodies, has yet appeared. The Prime Minister is anxious to bring down a measure relating to public service superannuation funds at the earliest possible moment, but the bill has not yet left the hands of the Crown law draftsman. The intention is to refer the bill to a Select Committee which will hear evidence from those directly concerned by the proposals. Judging by an indication given from Christchurch last week, no effort will be spared to secure modification of the terms of the bill if it follows the tenor of the National Expenditure Commission's recommendations as is expected. However, there is no intention of making the committee a peripatetic one, so objectors will be obliged to state their case in Wellington. Much was heard last week about the unemployment problem, which was made the sole topic of discussion in the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill. In that connection considerable interest was shown in the aspect of the problem as it relates to unemployed boys. Messrs, S. G. Smith (New Plymouth) and A. E. Ansell (Chalmers) have been inquiring into that question at. the request of the Government, and they have virtually completed their report. However, it is doubtful if their recommendations will be made public. Seeing that the members were not clothed with the authority of a commission it may be that their recommendations will simply be placed before the Minister of Employment for his guidance in tackling a problem which mainly concerns the four principal cities. Interesting Debase in Council An 'interesting debate on the Bible in schools question. is taking place in the Legislative Council, and the result of the crucial division expected to be reached during the coming week will be eagerly awaited. There was an" impression that those sponsoring tho Religious Instruction in Schools Enabling Bill were assured of a majority of at least three votes, but it now appears that an, even closer division is in prospect, and neither side can confidently predict victory. The bill originated in the Council so the House has not yet had ari opportunity to discuss it. The membership of (he Council is at present only 24, so that a change of opinion such as that, indicated by the Hon. C. J. Carrington last week may have an important bearing on the fate 'of tho bill. Parliament still enjoys a long weekend vacation, from 5.30 p.m. on Fridays until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesdays, and according to (he Prime Minister there will be no immediate move to lengthen the hours. Mr. Forbes holds the view that with the coming of longer and warmer days it is not expedient to shorten the week-end vacation unless the rate of progress becomes so plow that, the prospects of ending the session before Christmas are enoangered.