FIVE NEW BILLS IN HOUSE

Southland Times, Issue 23610, 10 September 1938, Page 8

FIVE NEW BILLS IN HOUSE

Portents Of Close Of Session

FULL AND ACTIVE DAY SPENT

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT CONSIDERED

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 9. Even after the late sitting resulting in the final passing of the monumental Social Security Bill, there was a full and active day in the House of Representatives today. The business before the House was the consideratiqn of the Public Works Statement and the passing of the Estimates, but, in addition, five Government Bills were introduced, among them several which are always regarded as portents of the close of the session.

The most important Bill to make its appearance this morning was the Finance Bill, which contains the usual miscellany of clauses dealing with public revenues and other financial matters. The Bill also gives effect to the Government’s promise to increase the rates of war pensions and war veterans’ allowances, but the new rates will not come into force until April 1 next year.

The remaining items of the new legislation were the Native Purposes Bill and the Local Legislation Bill, two of the usual “washing-up” measures, the Agriculture Emergency Regulations Confirmation Bill and the King George V Memorial Fund Bill, which provides for the national establishment of children’s health camps. The debate on the Public Works Statement was a somewhat lifeless affair with comparatively few contributions from the Government side. It was completed just before the normal time for the dinner adjournment and then the House went into Committee of Supply on the Estimates. With the prospect of a Monday sitting destroying the usual week-end adjournment, members showed no inclination to expedite the discussion and although a late adjournment was taken consideration of the Estimates was resumed <.t eight o’clock. By that time the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) was on his way to Lyttelton by the steamer express, leaving his colleagues to answer questions for him. >

The discussion on votes for roads and bridges dragged on for some time, but finally the Estimates were passed and the House rose at 9.35 o’clock.