BUSINESS FOR THE HOUSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25058, 23 November 1944, Page 4

BUSINESS FOR THE HOUSE

With 11 bills to consider and the conclusions of two international conferences to discuss Parliament should be more than usually busy up to the date of its proposed rising on December 15. Some of the measures to be brought forward should not call for much debate, but that, of course, depends wholly upon their contents. If there are no niggers in the woodpile, the House may dispose of them with a formal explanation by the Minister in charge and a statement by one speaker of the Opposition's views. The country will not look to every member to express his opinions on simple matters and it will certainly be impatient of talk to the gallery or for the microphone. But while the House may thus easily deal with legislation of a machinery nature, the people will demand that it does not rush such measures as the Finance

Bill, the Housing Improvement and Slum Reclamation Bill, the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill, the Wool Industry Bill and the Rehabilitation Amendment Bill. The Prime Minister, in outlining the business of the session yesterday, aiso mentioned that one or two days would be allotted to the Bretton Woods Monetary Conference and the Food and Relief Conference at Hot Springs. The Dominion's interest in these conferences is more than academic and the debate should bring out all that it is intended New Zealand should do and not degenerate into a panegyric upon international ideals. Altogether there is more than enough to keep members fully occupied. As he gave the summary of business the House, did Mr Eraser's conscience prick him? It is not so very long ago when his party, then in Opposition, was forthright in denouncing the practice of introducing a large number of bills in the last few days of the session. Precept and practice should march hand in hand, even with a Labour Government.