THE SESSION

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11212, 7 August 1929, Page 5

THE SESSION

SKIRMISH ON BORROWING. When Parliament meets to-day a new set of Standing Orders will come into operation, the House of Representatives having approved yesterday the recommendations of the Select Committee. The main alteration will be the inauguration of “daylight sittings.” The principal incident .yesterday was the commencement of the Financial Debate, the opening speakers being the Hon. W. D. Stewart and the Minister of Lands (Hon. G. W. Forbes). A preliminary skirmish on borrowing took place in the afternoon, when the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) informed the House that he had been precluded for eighteen months—not two y-ears, as stated by him previously—from borrowing on the London market. The explanation did not satisfy Mr Stewart, who returned to the attack in the course of his speech on the Budget. The debate was adjourned at 9.30 p.m. on the motion of Sir George Hunter (Waipawa). THE PRIMAGE DUTY.

A caucus of the Reform Party y-esterday discussed the course of action to be followed generally with regard to the Financial Debate in the House of Representatives. When the House met the Leader of the Opposition (Right Hon. J. G. Coates) gave notice to move an amendment when the Customs Bill comes before the House. It is understood the amendment relates to the doubling of the primage duties, and in the lobbies there is now a feeling that the House will very shortly- have its first division, and that the Government’s proposals in regard to the tariff will be the cause of it.