WORK OF THE SESSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21599, 21 March 1932, Page 8

WORK OF THE SESSION

PASSING OF ARBITRATION BILL EXCITING SCENES IN HOUSE THE COMING LEGISLATION (From Ode Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, March 19. Seldom has the Parliament of New Zealand encountered such a disturbing week as that which closed with the passage of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill at 2 o’clock this morning. In the final stages of the debate, which was marked by one of the most persistent stonewalls ever witnessed here, the Chamber was a cauldron of human feelings, stirred incessantly by the free and at times crude expression of sharply divided political views. The scene was reminiscent of the days of former Governments, when legislation by exhaustion was the method of writing laws into the Statute Book. Coincidentally, it reminded some of the old hands in political circles of the epic struggle which was waged nearly 40 years ago to enact the very legislation it was now proposed to amend. THE SUSPENSION INCIDENT. Worn out by sitting throughout the night members were showing signs of physical and nervous strain when the grey light of dawn dispersed the electric light of the Chamber yesterday morning. For several days the Labour Party had been opposing every phase of the Bill. This opposition only strengthened th e determination of the Government to enact the measure as it had been drafted. The fight was one for a political principle. Both sides were in deadly earnest. Tempers were frayed and patience was about exhausted. All the elements were present for the scene which led to the suspension of two members and was the most sensational incident in the New Zealand Parliament for many years. ARBITRATION BILL PASSED.

A small incident applied the match to the train of powder. Deliberative judgment was discarded and discretion for the moment was thrown to the wind. Words, the use of which is usually accompanied by an exchange of fisticuffs anywhere but in Parliament, were hurled from the Labour benches across the House as a commentary upon the conduct of Parliament. The incident was not elevating, but it ,was not altogether a surprise to those whiO had watched throughout the night the relentless application of the closure by the Government and the ob- ! structionist tactics of the Labour Party. The Bill reached its third reading stage about . 10.30 last evening, and after speeches on the final point had been made it was finally passed at 2 o’clock this morning. c. In view of the high feeling that has existed over the passage of this Bill the Government is satisfied with the week’s work. It was not expected that the enactment of the amendments to the arbitration system would be a simple task, and even with the closure machinery operating with almost monotonous regularity the Bill occupied something over eight sitting days through all its stages. One amendment only was considered by the Government, when the clause giving the Government power by Order-in-Council to exempt any industry from the operations of the court was withdrawn. A clause was also added, however, providing for the appointment of conciliation commissioners, a move which it is intended should make for economy and not for extravagance as was suggested by the Labour opponents of the proposal. Arrangements will probably be made through the Labour Department for some of the machinery necessary for the working of the new INTEKEST AND RENTS ADJUSTMENT. During the coming week Parliament will handle the Mortgagors and Tenants Relief Bill, a measure which extends the provisions of the Mortgagors Relief Act of last year, and applies to city properties as well as farm lands, % and also to I leases. The purpose of the Government is to have this disposed of by Wednesday evening, so that the House may then adjourn for the Easter re: cess. » THE EASTER RECESS.

Because the Government has yet to scrutinise the reports of the Economists and the Economy Commission and frame from them the session’s legislation parliament will adjourn from Wednesday evening until April 5, a gap of 10 days, during which Cabinet may devote its close attention to the task of preparing new Bills for the House to consider when jt resumes. The short recess will, therefore, be a busy time for the Ministry. THE FINANCE BILL. Although the law draughtsman has one or two minor Bills in hand he will be a busy man after Easter, when the preparation of the Finance Bill will occupy his attention. This measure will embrace some of the session’s most vital legislation, including decisions upon wage cuts, pensions readjustment, and other financial matters should the Government decide that further sacrifices from these people are necessary. An indication that the Government has by no means finished with distributing the heavy sacrifice entailed by the depression and the lean state of the finances was given by the Prime Minister in the House during the week. “By the time we have finished,” he said, “no class in the community will escape the general sacrifice which everyone will be called upon to make.” Mr Forbes added that every department of community life had to be investigated so that the sacrifice should be equally distributed, and he believed that everyone would agree in the end that the Government in tackling the problem had acted reasonably in the general welfare. The Minister of Finance has yet to present his financial review to Parliament. This document, which will contain very little comment by the Minister but will embrace much information compiled by the Economists Committee, will probably not reach the House until after Easter, though Mr Stewart may find time to finalise it before the House adjourns. TRADE TREATY WITH CANADA.

Negotiations are still proceeding between New Zealand and Canada on the basis of the tentative trade treaty arranged at Honolulu, and so far, it is understood, no finality has been reached.