DURATION OF THE SESSION

Southland Times, Issue 17788, 18 July 1916, Page 5

DURATION OF THE SESSION

SPEI'U LAT TONS AS TO TERMiNATION.

CONTROVERSIAL MATTERS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) I WELLINGTON, July 17. I There is still expectation on the part of many members that the session will close at the end of next week, hut others think that the prorogation will not be , readied until Hie following week. The I only two Government Bills now on hand f are the Military Service Bill and the ■ War Regulations Bill. The Military { Service Bill is at present temporarily : hung up, owing to the disagreement be- I tween the two Houses regarding the re- | ligious objectors’ clause, which was in- . serted by the Legislative Council, and ! which the House has refused to accept. I The dispute, however, is not regarded as a serious matter, and it has been so long in settlement only because the illness of the Minister of Defence lias prevented them from attending the conference of managers of this two Houses. The War Regulations Bill would pass without any difficulty, but for the clause regarding the sale of liquor. This clause gives power to the Government to make regulations for the control of the liquor traffic in certain respects. It provides for anti-shouting, but it does not empower the Government to close > liotels ! 'at six o’clock, or any hour. The I recent agitation has had as its object the insertion in the Bill by the Government of a clause providing for early closing. It is regarded as improbable that the Government will put any such clause in the Bill. Those members w,ho desire early closing, or a referendum, will have the opportunity to move amendments when the Bill is in committee. The Government, it is expected, will give a fair field and no favour to both sides. There may be a keen discussion on the subject, but it is not expected to be long. The principal BUI yet to be introduced will be the omnium, gatherum .measure dealing w : ith a variety of subjects of a more or less emergency character. There will also be the, usual washing-up Bill, and the Public Works Statement, the Supplementary Estimates, and the Appropriation BUI will be amongst the concluding business of the session.