SESSION'S WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22476, 21 July 1936, Page 8

SESSION'S WORK

RESUMPTION TO-DAY COMING LEGISLATION GOVERNMENT CAUCUS HELD POSSIBLE BUDGET DELAY [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Monday Plans are now complete for the resumption of tho first session of New Zealand's 25th Parliament to-morrow. The majority of members are now present in Wellington, eager for work after their five weeks' recess, and according to the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, no time will be lost in getting down to important business. A largely-attended caucus of Government members opened this morning, and did not adjourn until the evening. The Prime Minister stated subsequently that the detailed provisions of the Finance Bill to be introduced on Wednesday had been explained by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash. Subsequently some time had been spent on a discussion of the Prevention of Profiteering Bill, to be introduced by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. Tho caucus had not completed its deliberations and would have to resume to-morrow morning. Important Measures

When the House of Representatives met to-morrow afternoon, the Prime Minister continued, only formal business would be taken before tributes were paid to the memory of three former legislators who had died recently—Sir William Hall-Jones, Captain J. H. Bradney, M.P. for Auckland West from 1911 to 1914, and Mr. G. H. Smith, M.P. for Pdhiatua from 1916 tc 1919.

Mr. Savage said the first three bills to come before the House would be the Finance Bill, the Prevention of Profiteering Bill, and the Mortgage Readjustment Bill, probably in that order. The Government might aim at having all these three measures passed before the presentation of the Budget, which accordingly might not appear in the House for a fortnight or three weeks Early Legislation The whole of the legislative programme for the balance of the session had not been completed, the Prime Minister continued, but he agreed that the following bills were scheduled for fairly early introduction. Finance Bill, providing for the restoration of wage and salary cuts made by general order in 1931. Mortgage Readjustment Bill, basing all mortgages on the guaranteed price for dairy products. Prevention of Profiteering Bill, providing for the establishment of a judicial tribunal to control and regulate commodity prices. Industry Promotion and Efficiency Bill, providing for the licensing of industry, with State aid in the promotion of new industries. State Highways Bill, placing approximately 4000 miles of main highways under the direct control of the State. Pensions Bill, providing for increases in pensions and the payment of invalidity pensions, both to date from July 1. Farm Labour Bill, embodying the agreement reached between the farmers' representatives and the Government regarding wages and conditions on dairy farms. Amendments to the Workers Compensation Act, with probable provision for a minimum rate of compensation. A bill for the amalgamation of local bodies where desirable. Restoration of the Guts

Some details of the Finance Bill were discussed to-day by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Nash, who said that although the restoration of salary and wages cuts was the most important aspect of the measure, several other matters were dealt with in the bill. The Government's aim as disclosed in the bill was that the restoration of the cuts should apply to all »workers to whom it could be made to apply. As previously announced, the restoration would be retrospective to July 1, and provision was made in the bill for dealing with any anomalies that might arise.