THE SESSION.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14539, 17 October 1917, Page 6

THE SESSION.

FUTUItE BUSINESS.

ANOTHER FORTNIGHTS WORK

(From our Parliamentary Correspondent.)

Weitington, Oct. IG. ±ne Prime Minister estimates that there" is another fortnight's work for Parliament. He is evidently assuming "t.-fchat the lively scenes of last week, v.w hen "fisticuffs followed argument, will . not be repeated. Parliament will have ;to work long hours if tho session is to end as indicated. It • still has to dispose of a number of important mca- ■ - ttures, as well aa tho Public Works .. Statement and Supplementary Estimates.

The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Sale of Liquor sßestriction Bill are so important that Cabinet will consider them before the (House will be asked,to pass an opinion.. The discussion may easily become ■lengthy, though the Government haa abandoned any idea of extending the ecope of the measure, as was at first .thought probable. Though the War Pensions Bill has passed the Lower Hou,se, there are still the -allowances to soldiers' dependents to discuss; The proposals are to be explained, to a; joint caucus of -the j>artir~s, and the regulations will have {to come before Parliament if or approvalAnother important measure is the •second War .Loan Bill. The Social Hygieno; Bill is -highly contentious, and .has not yet passed its committee stage. There is also to be a Land Bill, con.taning_ departmental amendments but ao policy questions'. A War Legislation Bill has' yet to make ita appearance. It will, provide power to deal with rents and.-sevoral minor adjustments of the la-bour laws to meet war conditions. The hours of workera in restaurants known as marble bars will be dealt with in aj short measure introduced by Mr. A. H. ■Hindmarsh and taken up by the Government. .. Two extremely important Select Committee reports are those of the Cost of Living find Meat Trust inquiries. Here again is ample material

for talk. •* The' Public Works, Statement and Estimates are not particularly important in war time, bi;t tho Supplementary Estimates, disclosing as they must the Government's intentions regarding t\io demand of public servants for an .additional war bonus, will receive"- considerable attention. The "Washing-up Bill," which is the final item, can hardly under these circumstances como forward until the month has almost gone. . . , •