SESSION PLANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25023, 13 October 1944, Page 4

SESSION PLANS

RECESS AND RETURN' HEAVY LIST OF BILLS SITTINGS IN DECEMBER. (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Thursday The remaining programme of business for this session of Parliament was announced by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in the House of Representatives today. He said was intended to take an adjournment on Friday, October 27, and to meet again on Tuesday, November 21. It was hoped to complete the schedule of business, which include!? three bills on the order paper, another 16 bills still to be introduced, and the main and Supplementary Estimates by Friday, December 10, when Parliament would be prorogued. Mr Fraser said it should be possible to pass the remainder of the votes on the main Estimates before the end of next week and also to pass the Supplementary Estimates before the adjournment was taken. Proposed Legislation The three bills at present on the order paper are the Earthquake and War Damage Bill, Quarries Bill and the Milk Bill. The measures to be brought down included a United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration Bill, which was ready to be introduced, a Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill, Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill, Engineers Registration Amendment Bill, Rehabilitation Amendment Bill. Finance Bill, TownPlanning Bill, Infants Amendment (Adoptions) Bill. Slum Clearance Bill, Administration Amendment Bill, Frustrated Contracts Bill and a Law Reform Bill. There would also be the usual washing-up bills —the. Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill, Local Legislation Bill and Statutes Amendment Bi!! - , • | 4.1 4. The Prime Minister explained that some* of these measures were small, but others, such as the Slum Clearance Bill, were very important. A measure dealing with slum clearance was arousing keen interest in Britain, and it had been suggested there that such a bill should be divided into two # parts—one to empower local authorities to go ahead with the work and the other to deal with the question of payment or compensation. Dominion Plan Not Indicated However, he was not in a position to say what would be done here —whether it would be necessary to have an empowering measure to enable preparation/5 for the work to proceed and another dealing with the question of compensation and other obligatory matters. _ ... Replving to an Opposition interjection, Mr Fraser said he would endeavour to arrange for a discussion on the Bretton Woods conference, but whether a bill would be necessary he could not say. The results of the Hot Springs conference might very well be a matter for legislation. A bill was not essential, but it was probably desirable to have th agreement in the form of a bill, as had been done in Australia. That would give a very wide opportunity tor discussion. i Objection to Adjournment The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, said he could not see any need for an adjournment at all. There should not be one because there were annual conferences of the Labour Party or anyone else. The adjournment was to be taken the day before the Awarua bv-election. The member for Onehunga (Mr A. G. Osborne) was in the electorate now, and the member for Kaiapoi (Mr C. Morgan-Williams) was going down there also, but members of the Opposition were glued t-o their seats. That did not seem fair. Mr Holland suggested that the Government might reconsider the question and adjourn on October 20, and give everyone a fair run, or not adjourn at all. , . The Prime Minister said there was always room for difference of opinion in regard to the conduct of the business of the House. He had told the House of his proposal and it was quite competent for any member to have a different opinion, which would receive consideration. "I will gladly pair with the Leader of the Opposition," added Mr Fraser. An Offer ol Pairs Mr Holland: That will mean that both of us will be away when we should be here. • Mr Fraser said the Government would offer pairs up to any number the Opposition wished, so that that particular grievance of the Leader of the Opposition would at least be met. Mr Fraser added that there was to be an important conference with a delegation from Australia which was coming here to discuss matters of very great import with the New Zealand Governinent and to initiate and lay the foundation for trade and economic matters. The course he had suggested, ho thought, was the best arrangement to meet the wishes of the House and the eon nt rv. PROTRACTED DISCUSSION 11KPORT OX TUNNELS INQUIRY ( S.R.) WELLINGTON, Thursday Practically the whole of today's sitting of the House of Representatives was occupied in discussing a report of the departmental inquiry into the defects in the Turakina and Jordell railway tunnels. The House expended its sitting to enable the Minister of Works. Mr Semple, to reply to the debate. Just before the tea adjournment a bill was. introduced to give approval to the Dominion's participation m the agreement for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation scheme. The House rose at 10.50 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. tomorrow. MORE LAND FOR SCHOOL EXTENSION AT OTAHUHU (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Thursday Advice has been received by Mr C. R. Petrie M.P. for Otahuhu, that the Cabinet has approved a grant for the pui chase of an addition to the Otahuhu Technical High School site. An area of land adjoining the school is to be acquired. It'is to be used partly for additional playing area and partly for an extension of 'the school buildings in accordance with plans for the immediate and future requirements of the school. HEALTH STAMP SALES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Thursday Tlio Postmaster-General. Mr Webb, stated today that on the first day sales of health stamps amounted to £13,283, compared with £13,822 last year, a net decrease of £539. The response this year was very gratifying, Mr Webb said, as it had to be remembered that last year's triangular issue had a special appeal to philatelists. FOOD SHIP FOR GREECE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Thursday The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, has received from M, Papandreou, Prime Minister of Greece, the thanks of the Greek Cabinet for the shipload of foodstuffs being sent as a present from New Zealand to the Greek people. The message says the Greek people received the news with gratitude and emotion. They have never forgotten the heroic stand of the New Zealanders in Greece and Crete. STUDENTS FOR WORK Interviews with about 180 men and 420 women students of the Auckland Training College, with a view to their direction to essential work during the holidays, will be conducted by officers from the National Service Department today. Six officers will carry out the interviews at the college, j