WORK AHEAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25055, 20 November 1944, Page 6

WORK AHEAD

wmmmw v ,< 1 SESSION TOMORROW LONG HOURS LIK&Y MANY INTERESTING TOPICS (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Sunday ' A heavy programme of business awaits '' the House of Representatives when it resumes on Tuesday after an adjourn* ment from October 25 and long sitting • hours can be expected if the work is to be completed in three weeks as suggested by the Prime Minister, Sir Fraser, before the House adjourned that day. Since the House last met, the Labour Party conference has urged the Government to take complete control of the Bank of New Zealand by the acquisi- ' tion of the privately-owned shares in that institution and this has given rise to a good deal of speculation as to whether any steps will be taken this session to implement that decision. Heavy List oi Business Measures on the Order Paper when the adjournment was taken were the ' United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration Bill and Earthquake and War Damage Bill, while the Milk Bill, which had received its second reading, the Administration Amendment Bill, the Frustrated Contracts Bill and the Law Reform Bill were all before select committee'. Legislation still to be introduced includes a Land and In- ' come Tax Amendment Bill. Engineers Registration Amendment Bill, Rehabilitation. Amendment Bill, Finance Bill Town Planning Bill, Infants Amendment (Adoptions) Bill and possibly a Slum Clearance Bill. The usual "washing-up bills," gnch as the Lands and Other Reserves Dis-' posal Bill, the Local Legislation Bill', and the Statutes Amendment Bill, will' also have to be introduced and passed before Parliament is prorogued. Report on Service Votes Awaited It is also possible that Parliament may be asked to consider a measure reconstituting and widening the scopeof the existing Wool Council, the present activities of which are mainly concerned with publicity, to promote the greater use of wool. _ • ■ A report that is awaited with interest is that of the special committee ap - pointed to investigate matters related to the taking of the service votes at the last general election. The question ■ of remuneration of members of Parliament also stands referred to a committee for report. The State Bank Plan

No indication has been given by the Government of its intentions regarding the decision of the Labour Party conference urging the Government to - acquire the privatelv-held shares in the Bank of New Zealand. Although it has been officially stated that a full statement will be made following consideraI tion by the Government_ of the conference recommendation, it is believed that the caucus of the Parliamentary Labour Party had made a decision before the conference in favour of tho State acquisition of the bank. It is thought in some quarters that a measure giving the Government authority to acquire the privately-owned shares may be introduced this session and that the major legislation for taking over the institution will be brought down when the session resumes next year. . There is a general impression that Parliament mav meet again in February, although it is known that many members, including some from the, Government, side of the House, do not look with favour on a meeting of Parliament so early in the year, unless there is some unforeseen development which makes that course necessary. PACIFIC OFFENSIVE A YEAR OF VICTORIES The surprising pace of the advance of the Americans across the Pacific Ocean is emphasised by the fact that it was only a vear ago today since they attacked the Gilbert Islands. This venture marked the opening of the purely offensive stage of the Allied operations against the Japanese in the Pacific. Before that the campaign moved successively through the three _ phases » of pure defence, defensive-offensive and then offensive-defence. The first iended with the decisive battle of the Coral Sea, the second was marked by the Battle of Midway which restored naval parity, and the iSfiird was opened by the assault on the Solomon Islands. Tarawa and Makin Islands, in the Gil; berts were attacked by the Second Division of the United States Marines who had completed their training in New Zealand. The assault on Tarawa was costly and victory was achieved only through the bravery of the marines who held on to a 20-foot beachhead throughout the first day andnight. Reinforcements were landed undercover of darkness and the cleaning up of the island was proceeded with next day. The lessons learned at Tarawa, which could not be learned in any way other than by_ experience, were put to good use in subsequent operations. These have carried the United States Navy with the marines and Some Army divisions across the Pacific by way of the Mnrshalls, Marianas and Pelew to the Philippines in under a year. OBITUARY MR M. A. HUNTER The death occurred at the Napier , Hospital last week of Mr M. A. Hunter, aged 61 years. He joined the Bank of Australasia as a junior at the age i of 16. Some years later he was appointed relieving manager and was well known in the Te Aroha, Wli.ikatane and Paeroa districts. Prior to his resignation on superannuation he was manager of the Hasting branch of the bank. Mr Hunter had two daughters. _ The eldest (Audrev) was killed in a bicycle accident in Stratford, and his other daughter, Trevor, is flying in England in the ferry service, hording the rank of first pilot-officer. Mr Hunter in" his young days was a keen tennis player, and took great interest in Rugby and other sports.

I MASSEURS' CONFERENCE An interesting feature of a postgraduate conference' held in Auckland during the week-end by the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Trained Masseurs' Association was a moving picture film showing post-operative < treatment after chest surgery, with special application to physiotherapy. On Saturday morning a demonstration was given at St." Helens Hospital by Mrs J. C. Boyd and. after luncheon, as the guests of the president, Miss E. M. - Edwards, the members heard a lecture by Dr E, J. Cronin in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic arthritis, with demonstration of cases. Later m the afternoon a talk on association ■ matters was given by Mr D. McPhee. PERSONAL ITEMS Mr Justice Smith, who has been in Hamilton for three weeks, has returned to Wellington. The Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, who has been visiting Rotorna, arrived in Auckland on Saturday. Mr S. S. Dean, chairman of the Wellington Fire Board, and Mr C. A. Woolley, superintendent, who will £e official guests at the opening of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board s new buildings todav. are at the Star FTotel.