PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 19896, 15 June 1926, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

FIRST SESSION TO-MORROW’S OPENING CEREMONY PLENTY OF WORK AHEAD PROPOSED BILLS AND MEASURES (Special to the Times.) Wellington, June 14. Although the first session of a newlyelected Parliament is not generally looked upon as the principal working term, there are indications that for the session which is to be opened by commission to-morrow afternoon a fairly weighty programme of legislation has been (and is still being) prepared. The Government’s overwhelming majority and the practical certainty of the Prime Minister’s attendance at the Imperial Conference are factors which suggest a shorter session than usual, and it will probably be found that the more important of the Government’s legislative proposals will be disposed of before Mr Coates leaves for London. FORMAL OPENING. The Speech from the Throne, which outlines the legislation the Government intends to introduce, will be delivered by the Governor-GeneraPon Thursday. Wednesday will be confined no the formal opening of Parliament by the commission, the election or re-election of the Speaker and the swear-ing-in of members. The commission will comprise the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes (Acting-Leader of the Legislative Council), the Hen. Sir Walter Carncross (Speaker of the Legislative Council), the Hons. D. H. Guthrie, Sir Frederick Lang and Sir William Hall-Jones. Following custom, the gentleman usher of the Black and Red will to-morrow afternoon advise the members of the House of Representatives that their attendance is desired in the Legislative Council to hear the commission read. The members are then requested to repair to the House as there is no Speaker. The Clerk of the House is authorised to administer the oath and members will be sworn in, after which the election of the Speaker takes place in this procedure. The mover and seconder are not named by the Clerk when they rise to speak, as they would be when the Speaker is in the chair. They are pointed to. The next step is for the Speaker-elect to stand in his place and return thanks for the honour conferred upon him, and after being accompanied to the chair by the mover and seconder, he again expresses his thanks, standing on the upper step while doing so. The mace, which was previously under the table, is then placed on it. THE SPEAKERSHIP. There are no indications in official quarters to suggest that the Hon. C. E. Statham will not be re-elected to the office he held during the last term of Parliament. On Thursday the Speaker’s appointment will be confirmed by the Governor—General, who will later deliver the Speech from the Throne. Business of a formal character will occupy the House of Representatives and an adjournment will be made until Friday afternoon, when after questions have been disposed of, references will be made to the memory of members who died during the recess. The House will then adjourn until 7.30 pan. on Tuesday, when the Address-in-Reply debate will be commenced. The mover of the motion will be Mr H. L. Tapley (Dunedin North) and the seconder Mr W. Jones (Marsden). With the arrival of members in Wellington, the party caucuses should not be far distant, and it is not likely that any time will be lost in appointing the Whips. It is considered practically certain that in view of his valuable service in the past, Mr J. S. Dickson will again be elected the Reform Party’s Senior Whip. FARMERS’ LAND BANKS. The Government has pledged itself to an investigation of farmers’ land banks, and there is a possibility that a Bill may be brought down this session. At present the Agricultural Banking Commission which has completed its inquiries abroad is en route from London to Australia, and is expected back in New Zealand this month. A report will be presented to the Government and if legislation is to be put in hand this session it presumably will be along the lines of the commisaon’s recommendations. It is the desire of the ruling party that whatever scheme be undertaken it will be of a character as will readily assist the primary producers and be a financial success. Late in the session is the anticipated time of the presentation of any legislation in this direction, as Cabinet will first have to resolve on the policy in the light of the information afforded by the commission’s recommendations. LICENSING REFORM. Opportunity to discuss the question of the reform of the existing licensing system, always a thorny subject, will be afforded members when the promised Licensing Bill is presented. The swing of the voters’ pendulum at the recent election was not in the direction of absolute prohibition, but that some reforms of the present system are essential has been recognised by both contending forces in the licensing issue. The appearance of the Bill will be awaited with interest not only for the proposals which it may contain, but for the opportunity it affords debaters of discussing an important question from its varying aspects. Especially is this so in view of the fact that the Bill is a non-party measure. MINING LEGISLATION. The introduction of legislation dealing with mining has been forecasted by the Minister of Mines (Hon. G. J. Anderson). At different times strong comment has been passed on the publication of mining prospectuses which do not give fully and clearly the terms and conditions subject to which the vendors , are selling the property, but which refer the subscribers to a contract lodged in some solicitors office. Authorities consider that the contract should be printed and incorporated in all mining prospectuses so that the public would know before subscribing any money precisely what the position was in regard to the venture. It is not known whether the amendment to the Act will cover this class of case, but the Minister has promised the legislation will be brought down giving control over mining prospectuses. Mining reforms of a general nature have also been promised and it is understood that there will be a consolidation of the mining laws and there is a remote possibility of a measure making its appearance which will aim at widening the scope of prospecting for oil in New Zealand as indicated by the Prime Minister in his manifesto. LOCAL BODY BORROWING. One of the measures to be introduced will be that providing for the establishment of the local government board which will be empowered to exercise control over the borrowing activities of local authorities. This provision is being made with a view to creating greater confidence in local body projects and safeguarding the country’s. credit and, further, to enable decisions to be made as to what are remunerative works or essential in the best interests of the bodies concerned. Local government is the object of the measure. CROWN LANDS. Not the least interesting items of the Govment programme will be the legislation affecting land. One measure will provide for the disposal of-# number of the Crown’s endowment lands which are not considered worthy of retention from a revenue point of vie*. and another the exteotion of the fsee*,

hold tenure to all classes of rural leaseholds lands. SOCIAL REFORM. Social reform will find expression in several measures. A clear indication was given in the recent Census papers that the Government was desirous of ascertaining the financial position of heads of families and towards the end of the session it is anticipated that a Bill will be brought down making provision for assistance for married men with families which exceed the number upon which the Arbitration Court fixes the basic wage. PENSIONS SCHEME. It is understood also that an endeavour will be made to pilot through the House a Compulsory Contributory Pensions Bill which proposes a further advance of a universal pensions scheme. Promises have been given as well of an increase in workers’ compensation benefits. DAIRY CONTROL ELECTION. Another item for legislative attention will be the amendment of the system of election to the Dairy Control Board, presumably by the institution of the ward system, the election to be on an export tonnage basis. CREAM GRADING. Compulsory grading of cream is, it is understood, to be enforced by another piece of legislation which follows the lines of the measure which has been in operation in Ontario for a considerable number of years and is designed to assist the Board in its plans to market a superfine New Zealand butter. General effect of the recommendations of the Heath report has been promised by the Prime Minister - and it will be interesting to see what happens to those directly affecting the dairying industry. GAMING LAW. Although no definite indications have yet been given, it is considered almost certain that there will be some amendment of the gaming law to remove some of the anomalies that at present exist. The reintroducton of betting by telegraph as a means of offsetting the evil influence of the bookmaker and the publication of totalisator dividends by newspapers are two provisions which have been the subject of agitation for some time and the latter, at least, would appear in any measure brought forward. EDUCATIONAL. Educational matters will also be the subject of legislation. The University Commission’s recommendations are to be given effect to and these include the establishment of the Agricultural College and the institution of the two very important bodies to be known as the Technical Schools Board and the Secondary Schools Board. Legislation will be necessary, too, for the proposed amendment of the constitution of the New Zealand University. Last session the measure, known as the Dentists’ Amendment Bill, was not fortunate enough to reach an operative. Whether legislation of a similar nature will figure on this session’s programme will not be known until the commission to be appointed to inquire into the merits of the claims for the Bill has reported to the Government. HEALTH MATTERS. Under the heading of health matters a Bill is to be brought down for the registration of all opticians and another for the purpose of consolidating the Hospital Act in connection with which amendments of a varying nature have been made in practically every second year since its introduction in 1909. HARBOURS ACT. In accordance with the stated intention of the Minister of Marine an amendment will be made ’to the Harbours Act to put a stop to the building of unwarranted harbours and prohibit the discharge of fuel oil into harbours to the detriment of the fish and foreshores. TOWN PLANNING. As the Town Planning Bill may make its appearance it is believed that any such measure would broadly follow the lines of the English measure which lays down the principle that any loans over a certain population must submit a town planning scheme to a central authority. They are not required to a carry it out forthwith but any development must be in accordance with it. VOTING DISABILITIES. An important piece of electoral legislation will relate to an amendment designed to remove the voting disabilities which sick people in hospital, travellers, etc., suffer. It is understood that some form of postal ballot will be provided to meet such cases. GENERAL. The question of the assessment of election Court costs will probably be the subject of legislation. Under the heading of “general,” legislation may be expected in connection with the establishment of the department of scientific and industrial research, an amendment to the Arbitration Act and alteration in the publicity scheme, a shops hours bill (to eliminate anomalies) and validation of the introduction of the 1922 legislation which f/nabled local bodies of Auckland to raise loans in connection with unemployment without taiooK a poll of the ratepayom.