WORK OF PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22505, 25 February 1935, Page 7

WORK OF PARLIAMENT

FARM FINANCE PROPOSALS WIDE RANGE OF DISCUSSION (Fkom Oob Pabmamentabx Reporteb) WELLINGTON, February 23. Parliament has been engaged solely during the past week in consideration of the proposals contained in the Mortgage Corporation of New Zealand Bill, a measure which has proved to be of just as contentious a nature as wag generally anticipated. So many interests are affected by the Bill, and it has been approached from so many different angles, that the discussion has necessarily been protracted, and it is not surprising therefore that, although the Bill was introduced on the first day of the resumed session, it has not yet progressed beyond the discussion on the short title. It has been subjected to a running fire of criticism which has not been confined to the Opposition and cross benches, but, although several Government members were frank in their statements that the Bill was not likely to achieve its object—the assistance of mortgagors, and particularly of the farmers—they all voted with the party when a division was taken on the second reading. The revision of the first draft of tho Rural Mortgagors and Tenants Final Adjustment Bill has taken longer than was originally contemplated. An lnterDepartmehtal Committee, under the chairmanship of Mr P. Verschaffelt, is still working on the measure in collaboration with the law draftsman (Mr J. Christie), and the Minister of Financa said that it might be the end of next week before tho measure would be ready for introduction in the House. The next measure for introduction in Parliament will be the Broadcasting Bill, which is expected to be brought down oil Tuesday. The purpose of the Bill is to remodel the Broadcasting Board to a certain extent on lines similar to the British Broadcasting Corporation. Included in its provisions will be one increasing the -personnel of the board from three to seven members.