WORK AHEAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22398, 20 April 1936, Page 11

WORK AHEAD

MUCH LEGISLATION GUARANTEED PRICES SCHEME LONG SESSION INDICATED [BV TELEGRAPH —SI'ECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Sunday There lias been some delay in the final preparation and drafting of the Guaranteed Price Bill and its attendant mortgage legislation, a delay occasioned chiefly by the necessity for scrupulous attention to detail in the examination of basic proposals. When the bills do finally appear in the House of Representatives urgency will almost certainly be taken for them, as the Government is still anxious to have an adjournment of several weeks before proceeding with the routine business of the session.

At one stage it was suggested that during the possible adjournment the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, might make a rapid tour of the Dominion, expounding the Government's policy. Present indications are that that course will not be followed. Mr. Savage's own view is that he would be far better occupied "staying in Wellington and doing the job than travelling round the country saving what he proposed to do."

There are grounds for believing that Parliament will he busily occupied until nearly the end of tltie year. Pensions legislation is being prepared by the Hon. W. E. Parry, transport legislation by the Hoy. 11. Semple, and further industrial legislation by the Minister of Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong. In addition, there will be matters arising from the Budget, which has yet to be prepared by the Minister of Finance, Ho:i. W. Nash. A large volume of legislation will have to lie passed this session, as there is a definite prospect of a broken session next year. The Prime Minister will attend the Coronation ceremonies and the Imperial Conference in London during May, and it seems reasonable to expect that Mr. Nash Avill accompany him to deal with marketing and trade agreements. In that event the two Ministers would probably be absent from New Zealand from March until August, and the desire for legislative activity is likely to be all the more marked on that account.