WORK OF SESSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23772, 27 September 1940, Page 6

WORK OF SESSION

RESUMING ON TUESDAY EXCESS PROFITS TAX SEVERAL OTHER MEASURES [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDKNT] WELLINGTON. Thursday The Parliamentary session will be resumed on Tuesday afternoon, following an adjournment of a month. The duration of this stage of the session will bo determined by circumstances, but before the adjournment was taken at the end of August the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, expressed the view that it would bo brief. After formal business on Tuesday tributes will probably be paid to the memory of the late Mr. A. E. Jull, M.P. for Waipawa, and Mr. John Anstey, a former member of both the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council. Those will be followed by a short adjournment as a mark of respect.

Secret Session if Desired Should members desire another secret session for discussion on the country's war effort, one will probably be held during the .coming week. This would give them an opportunity to hear and discuss the developments in the war situation since the House last met in secret. Measures that will possibly be introduced include an Excess Profits Tax Bill, a Native Purposes Bill, a Small Farms Amendment Bill, dealing with the settlement of discharged soldier:? on tho land; an Orchard and Garden Diseases Amendment Bill, which deals with citrus canker and extends various powers; a Termites Bill, which contains provisions relating to tho control of tho white ant pest; and a Shops and Offices Amendment Bill, which will include the clause authorising the Court of Arbitration to fix the opening and closing hours of shops and which was withdrawn from the Statutes Amendment Bill when that legislation was before the House in August. A statement that this would be done was made by the Prime Minister at the time the clause was withdrawn.

Mercantile Marine Pensions The question of pensions for members of the mercantile marine who suffer war disability and their dependants will also probably be the subject of legislation. It is expected that this will be similar to that which at present applies to the members of the armed forces and their dependants. An Agricultural Emergency Regulations Confirmation Bill, which simply confirms regulations made under the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Act, will also probably be introduced, and the Insurance Companies Bill, which has been before the Statutes Revision Committee for some time, may be reported back from the committee and proceeded with.

A caucus of members of the Parliamentary Labour Party has been called for Saturday.