STRENUOUS DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23139, 10 September 1938, Page 15

STRENUOUS DAY

■more new measures SIGNS OF THE END PUBLIC WORKS ESTIMATES APPROVAL AFTER DULL DEBATE r ß y TELEGRAPH— SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Friday Even after a late sitting, resulting jn the final passing of tho monumental Social Security Bill there was a full ancl active day in the House of Representatives to-day. ■ ' The business beforo the Houso was {ho consideration of the Public "Works Statement and the passing of the estimates, but in .ddition five Government bills ivorp i 1.1 rod need, among them several which are always regarded as portents of the close of a session. Tlio most important bill to make its appearance this morning was the Finance Bill; which contains the usual miscellany of clauses dealing with public revenues and other financial matters, l'lio bill also gives cllcct to the Government's promise to increase the rates of war pensions and war veterans' allowances, but tho new rates will not come into force until April 1 next year. Tlio remaining items of new legislation were the Native Pur poses Bill and tho Local Legislation Bill, two of the usual '•washing-up'' measures; the •Wicultural Regulations Confirmation Bill and the King George V. Memorial Fund Bill, which provides ■ for "the national establishment of children's health camps. The debato on tho Public \S orka Statement was "a somewhat lifeless affair, with comparatively few contributions from the Government side. It was completed just before tho normal timo for tho dinner adjournment and then the House went into committee of supply on tho Estimates. With the prospect of a Monday sitting destroying the usual week-end adjournment members showed no inclination to expedite the discussion, anfl although a late adjournment was trken consideration of the estimates was resumed at eight o clock. By that time the Minister of Public, Works, the Hon. R. Semple, was on his way to Lyttelton by ferry steamer, leaving his colleagues to answer questions for him. Tho discussion on votes for roads and bridges dragged on for some time, but j finally the estimates were passed and the ITouse roso at 9.3-3 o'clock.