RESTORING CUTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22475, 20 July 1936, Page 10

RESTORING CUTS

THE FINANCE BILL PASSAGE THIS WEEK EARLY BENEFIT DESIRED MR. SAVAGE'S STATEMENT [BY TEI.EGRAPH SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Sunday The aim of the Government is to have the bill making provision for the restoration of salary and wage cuts passed through tho House of Representatives during the coining week. This statement was made in an interview yesterday by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, who said the bill would probably be introduced on Wednesday. "Wo want to get the Finance Rill passed as soon as possible," the Prime Minister continued, "so that people can get the benefit of wage restorations retrospective to July 1. Some employers who have not yet restored the cuts, are waiting, I believe, to see details of the Government's proposals before they make the retrospective payments. If the bill can he put through tho House during the coming week the 1931 scale of wages should bo restored generally bv the end of the month."

Debate on Thursday Mr. Savage said only formal business woufjd bo taken when tho House resumed 011 Tuesday, and then after tjib u tos had been paid to the memory of the late Sir William Hall-Jones and other deceased legislators there would be an adjournment until Wednesday afternoon.

The Finance Bill would then bn introduced and the debate on it would probably bo opened 011 Thursday. II necessary, the Government would take urgency for the measure, but it was not anticipated that its provisions would be argued at any great length. Tho caucus of the Government Party to be held to-morrow was expected to be fairly protracted, the Prime Minister said. Tins majority of Government members would be present and the caucus was likely to last all day. Details of important legislation woidd have to be explained and members would also ho acquainted with the general policy to be disclosed in tho Budget " Interesting Week "

"Thero is plenty of work to be done," the Primp Minister added, "and I think 1 can promise that even auart from tho Finance Bill there will bo an interesting week in prospect." Preparations have been completed for the resumption of tho session on Tuesday. Messengers and other attendants at Parliament Buddings, who have been working in various Government departments during the recess, are now back on duty, and Bellamy's has been reopened for the benefit of southern members, many ol whom arrived in Wellington to-day. The majority of North Island members will arrive tomorrow or Tuesday. Thero was a return of Ministers to Wellington to-day. The Minister of Education, tho Hon. P. Eraser, the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, and the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, returned from the South Island this morning. Other Ministers who have been visiting North Island centres are expected in Wellington to-morrow.