USUAL SLOW START

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18202, 25 September 1933, Page 6

USUAL SLOW START

WORK OF PARLIAMENT LYTTELTON STIMULUS PLIGHT OF UPPER HOUSE (Parliamentary Reporo-r.) WELLINGTON, this day. Parliament is making tho usual slow start, and there is no indication that members will take seriously the suggestion that time should be saved in the early stages by curtailing the Address-in-Reply debate. Tho Lyttelton by-election has provided a political stimulus. The Coalitionists, on tho one hand, declare that it has solidified their ranks, while the Labor Party cannot hide its jubilation, and is busy seeking a weak link in the Coalition armour for a projected no-confidence attack. Hie obvious way was suggested on Friday by the member for Wanganui, who. from the Government side, moved for the repeal of the high exchange, and secured ready support from the Opposition.,

Contact with members shows that there are many cross-currents running in .the House at present, and .a . situation might easily develop causing, some concern to the Government, as the. exchange question, and its relation to local body finance, lias placed many members in a difficult position. ‘ -

NEW ■ COUNCILLORS; ■ • • '■ It is anticipated that the Labor Party, which is not holding its caucus until the House has dealt with condolence motions, will select this as an issue in its noconfidence. challenge, though under these conditions it is not likely to catch many additional votes-

Members of the Legislative Council have been pressing the Government to seriously consider the position of the Upper House, which, owing to its limited numbers, is in danger of losing all its value as a. revisory chamber. The attendance at its first business sitting was only 14, and it is considered impossible to set up the usual committees with an effective personnel while- there is so limited a list on which to draw. The average age of Legislative Councillors is high, with the consequence that absences through illness cause serious inroads on the effective force.

Though a week ago it was generally felt in the lobbies that the Government was not concerned over appointments to the Council, members now believe that the practical difficulties of the situation will prompt the two interests in the Cabinet to mutually select a list of moderate dimensions, possibly not exceeding 10, of suitable persons for nomination to the Legislative Council. An almost certain Auckland appointee- is Mr. John Alexander. C.M.G.. while an outstanding selection from Wellington is expected t<> ho Mr. Harold Johnston. K.O-