AMPLE MATERIAL FOR FULL-DRESS DERATES IN PRE-ELECTION SESSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27093, 30 May 1949, Page 4

AMPLE MATERIAL FOR FULL-DRESS DERATES IN PRE-ELECTION SESSION

Work of Parliament:

Special Correspondent WELLINGTON, May 29. Sufficient legislative business to keep members of the House of Representatives fully occupied has already been indicated for the preelection session of Parliament opening on June 28. The session is expected to finish about the middle of October, leaving time for a six weeks’ political campaign before the general election, which is likely to be held in the last week in November. Although the Government will probably aim at keeping the actual legislation down to a minimum, there are some measures scheduled for introduction which will provide ample material for discussion. The Address-in-Reply debate, the financial debate and debates on the monthly Imprest Supply Bills will enable members to raise other controversial issues which demand the attention of Parliament. It is expected that the Opposition will use one of these avenues of discussion to raise such subjects as Communism, the restoration of capital punishment, import control, the cost of living, industrial unrest and the Holmes case. The session will be a battleground for some parly skirmishing by way of a prelude to the sterner political contest that will take place in the constituencies later. \

The first legislation, after the opening formalities and the Imprest Supply Bill have been disposed of, is expected to be the measure to provide for a referendum on the question of compulsory national service. From what has been said by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, it is assumed that the Address-in-Reply debate, which generally takes precedence over legislation, will be temporarily .sidetracked to enable the referendum measure to be discussed and passed. This may be utilised by the opposition for a full dress debate on the question of defence. The referendum is to be taken late in July or early in August. If the referendum were carried and further legislation were necessary to implement the decision in favour of compulsory military training rather than making use of the existing national service regulations, there would then be plenty of time for this to be introduced and passed.

Since last session the Prime Minister has been abroad on two occasions to attend meetings of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers, and if he adopts the same procedure as in the past he will report to the House on these missions. This would provide an opportunity for a debate on international affairs, while the proposals for a Pacific Pact will form another subject on which many members will be anxious for information. Pre-Election Budget The presentation of the Budget _is expected to follow the Address-in-Reply debate. There will be more than usual interest in this year’s financial statement in view of the General Election later in the year, for is it in this document that the Government frequently indicates any concessions or other policy proposals it contemplates. Legislation will be introduced to legalise off-course betting through the totalisator as approved by the electors in the referendum held on March 9. This measure is also expected to legalise doubles totalisators, the telegraphing of totalisator investments and the publication by newspapers of dividends. Other gaming questions may also be dealt with in the Bill. Measures will also be necessary to provide for trust control in Ashburton and Geraldine in consequence of the votes cast in both areas for this form of control when local restoration was carried at the special polls held at the same time as the licensing referendum.

Fire Control Measure A Fire Services Reorganisation Bill is also to be introduced. Various schemes for the control of fire services, including that recommended by the Royal Commission which reported on Ballantyne’s fire, have been suggested and these are now receiving consideration of the authorities with a view to formulating the one that best meets the requirements of the Dominion. The railways consolidation measure is ready for introduction. This Bill was drafted before the end of last session, but due to the lateness of the session its appearance had to be postponed. Consolidations of the law relating to taxation, shipping and seamen the army and the public service have been contemplated at various times in recent years, but it remains to be seen whether any of these makes an appearance this session. A Bill has been promised to facilitate the work of friendly societies. Another measure will transfer the management of education endowment reserves to a department of State. There have also been indications of a measure providing that the applications of aliens for naturalisation should be publicly advertised, as is done in England. Changes may also be made in the law relating to the inspection of machinery. A Select Committee of the House appointed in 1947 to investigate and report on the motion picture industry is expected to present its findings. The committee will resume on June 7 to hear the remaining evidence,but this is not likely to take long. Council and advocates for the parties represented at the inquiry will then address the committee before it deliberates.