BUSINESS OF HOUSE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26541, 16 August 1947, Page 8

BUSINESS OF HOUSE

BUDGET ON THURSDAY LICENSING REPORT TO BE DISCUSSED Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, Aug. 15.• The report of the Royal Commission on Licensing may come before the House of Representatives for discussion next week. When the coming week’s business was discussed just before the House adjourned to-day. for the weekend, the Prime lyiinister, Mr Fraser, said that there were the Police Force Bill, the Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Bill, the Imprest Supply Bill for Tuesday, and the Magistrates Courts Bill, possibly for Friday. The Budget would be presented on Thursday night, and there was also the voluminous licensing report. He was sure some members were dying to solve the licensing problem. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland: What is the . Government policy? Mr Fraser replied that it had not been the practice of any Government in New Zealand to adopt a policy on licensing without reference to the people, and he hoped that there would be no departure from this practice on this occasion. He did not wish to see any disregard of precedent. Mr Holland: If we follow precedent, then we will do nothing about it. Mr Fraser replied that a consensus of opinion had to be obtained, and if there was unanimity on some questions these could form the basis of legislation. He had not known any party to tell its members to vote a particular way on licensing. Possibly the report could be taken on Wednesday, but he. would discuss that with the Leader of the Opposition. In justice to the country, the report could not just be accepted and ignored. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.