WORK OF SESSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21606, 26 September 1933, Page 11

WORK OF SESSION

«•>— A LISTLESS OPENING NO CABINET MEETING ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE CANADIAN TRADE AGREEMENT [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Monday Parliament will begin its ftrst full week's Work of the session to-morrow, but no legislation is likely to be dealt with until tho Address-in-Reply debate lias been completed. Tributes to deceased legislators will be paid to-morrow afternoon, after wliich an adjournment will 'bo made until tho evening, when Mr. H. Holland (Christchurcli North) will initiate tho Address-in-Reply dobate. He will be followed by Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Waitomo), after which the House will rise until Wednesday. A Labour caucus will bo held tomorrow, a? the result of which it is probable that tho Leader of the Opposition, Mr. If. E. Holland, will bo empowered to move a no-confidence amendment when ho enters the debate as expected on Wednesday. It is usual in such circumstances for a Minister to reply, and it is anticipated that tho Hon. E. A, Ransom will be entrusted with tho task on this occasion. Inquiries in the lobbies to-day indicated that most of the Labour members are likely to take part in tho debate, while several Coalition members are also preparing speeches. Thus tho prospect is that the debate will occupy at least two weeks. Government Legislation There is only one Government bill on the Order Paper so far, but several others are ready fo:- introduction. How. ever, no arrangements have been made vet regarding the presentation of the session's important legislation, and, owing to the absence of several Ministers, no Cabinet meeting to discuss the session's programme has been held. Apart from a social gathering in honour of Messrs. Forbes and Masters last week there has been no meeting of the Government party and it is not anticipated a caucus will be held until the Government's arrangements have been more clearly defined. Excluding some idle curiosity regarding the prospects of the Reserve Bank Bill, members have so far shown little interest in the prospective legislative programme, and no session for several years has opened in . mich a listless spirit. Question of Extension No consideration has been given by the Cabinet to the question of an extension of the Canadian-New Zealand trade agreement, which will expire in about two months' time. According to a statement made this evening by the Prime Minister, the original agreement, expired on May 24 last, but in view of the approaching world economic and monetary conference in London it was considered advisable by the Governments of the two countries to preserve the status quo by extending tho agreement for a further six months. This extension expires on November 24. When in the United States, on his return to New Zealand, Mr. Forbes met the Canadian Minister of Trade and Commerce, Mr. H. H. Stevens, and discussions are believed to have taken place between the two Ministers with a view to further promoting trade between the two Dominions. At that time a Press /Association cable message from Vancouver stated that the treaty would be renewed for another year, with slight modifications, and that under the new arrangement the Canadian Government was to keep New Zealand exporters fyljy advised several months ahead as to how they shoidd govern their shipment schedules. An Unfounded Statement

On his attention being called to this statement this evening, Mr. Forbes said the question of a renewal of the treaty was one for the Cabinet. There was no •foundation whatever for the statement, contained in the Vancouver cabl* message. Tho Cabinet had not yet given any consideration to an extension or the treaty. , . In view of the approaching expiry date of the present agreement, he said in conclusion, no doubt the matter would have to be dealt with at an early date. /<