SESSION'S WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22523, 14 September 1936, Page 10

SESSION'S WORK

LEISURELY PACE SET COMING LEGISLATION SEVERAL BILLS TO APPEAR ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES [by TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPOKTEIt] WELLINGTON, Saturday A fairly leisurely pace was set in the conduct of Parliamentary business during the week just past. Consideration of the Estimates was completed, but it took two days of dreary discussion before the Agricultural Workers* Bill was passed and the only other sitting day of the week was given Vivcr to a somewhat involved debate on the i complex problems of the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Bill. The passing of all votes in the Estimates in a total of eight sitting days represented a fairly satisfactory effort, especially as there iyas no attempt by the Government to restrain discussion. Ministers themselves proved only too eager to talk on the proposed activities of their various departments, although this perhaps could be taken as a sign that the first enthusiasm for office has not yet waned. Public Works Estimates The public works estimates have still to be considered. It is expected that they will bo tabled in the Honso of Representatives early next week along with the public works statement and in view of the expansion of effort in this field of j§tato activity the details of the voto aro likely to prove more interesting than for several years past. It is the expressed wish of the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Scmplo, to have useful national undertakings put in hand in all parts of the Dominion and provision is bound to bo made in the estimates for numerous local items. It is anticipated, too, that the end of the session cannot be more than four or five weeks distant and in that event the Supplementary Estimates will also have to make their appearance before long. It is almost certain that provision will be made in them for the subsidising or outright purchase by the State of B stations under the authoritj' of this year's Broadcasting Act. Cross Purposes In the passing of legislation the Government for the moment is not attempting to keep up the whirlwind pace which it set earlier in the session. Urgency was certainly taken for the final stages of the Agricultural Workers Bill on Thursday, and the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, even had to resort to the application of the closure to put a much-needed end to a marathon discussion on the short title. However, full opportunity was given for a critical examination of the measure and it was not the fault of the, Government that the debate was so singularly barren of ideas. Even individual members of the Opposition appeared to be arguing at cross purposes and the only workmanlike speech in two days was that of Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Independent—Egmont), whose main argu*ment was that until the farmer was placed in a position to compete with all other employers of labour the fundamental problem of farm labour would still remain. 6 Generous Criticism A reasonably easy passage seems assured for the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Bill if only by reason of the fact that it embodies so many of the principles of farm relief which wero expressed in the legislation of the Coalition Government. Mr. J. Hargcst (Opposition—Awarua) made a neat point yesterday when lie said that one of the main differences between the last Government's mortgage legislation and the bill now before the House was that the new measure was being criticised in a moTe generous fashion. In its attempts to tackle the mortgage problem the Labour Government is certainly endeavouring to work within the framework of procedure laid-down by its predecessors. However, the "sudden death" principle of adjustment has not commended itself to the Opposition nor has the suggestion that many mortgagors, even after adjustment, may still find themselves mortgaged 100 per cent. These were the main points of criticism in yesterday's discussion, and they will probably be developed when the debate is resumed during the coming week. The Taxing Bill The future programme has not yet been definitely decided, but the Prime Minister stated last evening that the Mortgage Bill would probably be beforo the house again on Tuesday. It appears that a full sitting day will be required for the completion of the second read- ! ing debate, especially as several loading j Opposition members, notably the lit. j Hon. J. G. Coates (Kaipara) and the j Hon. A. Hamilton (Wallace), have not ! yet spoken. The Committee stages may ! possibly be delayed for a day or so. With a bill of 84 clauses, they arc I bound to prove fairly protracted, j The Prime Minister is anxious to i have the annual taxing bill, which was. I introduced on Thursday night, passed by the House early in the coming week, and the suggestion is that the bill may bo at the top of the order paper for next Wednesday. Until the measure is passed, the enthusiasts of the Land and Income Tax Department will bo unable to make a start in preparing their annual shocks for taxpayers in the shape of assessment notices. As there have been alterations in the scale of taxation this year, a Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill will be required, in addition to the annual taxing bill. This is expected to be introI duccd in the comparatively near future, I and it is probable that both measures will be contested fairly vigorously by the Opposition. Local Body Reform Other new legislation is also expected during the coming week, notably the bill for the promotion of local body amalgamations, which has been prepared by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parr.v. The Government's proposals in this direction were considered in detail at a caucus of the Government Party last Tuesday. The Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, has his bill for the promotion and regulation of industries practically ready for introduction and several smaller measures are also on the stocks. Amendments to some of the more important Acts already passed are likely to bo introduced before the session closes.