RAPID PROGRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23714, 22 July 1940, Page 9

RAPID PROGRESS

WORK OF PARLIAMENT ESTIMATES THIS WEEK LIGHT PROGRAMME AHEAD [I?T TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Sunday Co-operation between the Government and the Opposition enabled exceptionally rapid progress to be made with the Government's legislative programme in the House of Representatives during the week. Five important bills, putting into effect the bulk of the taxation proposals set out in the Budget, were dealt with in the most expeditious manner possible. The main feature of the past -week in Parliament was the announcement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, of the formation of a War Cabinet. Little surprise was occasioned by the announcement, as negotiations had been known to be approaching completion, and the Prime Minister's statement was well received.

The Budget debate, which had shown signs of failing toward the end of the previous week, ended on Wednesday night, leaving the House free to attack the five bills on- Thursday and Friday. Urgency was taken for the measures, but it was explained by Mr. Fraser that lie did not intend to force them through, although the co-opera-tion of members in facilitating a swift passage was sought. The Fstiinates will probably occupy the House for the greater part of the coining week, and perhaps for longer. A forecast of the remainder of the legislative programme given by .Mr. Fraser on Friday, however, indicated that it was light, and that it would not be very long before an adjournment might be taken. It is thought in the lobbies that within a month the House may take a short adjournment, but there is general agreement on the point that the House should not be prorogued, in view of the war situation.