PARLIAMENT SUMMONED

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1933, Page 6

PARLIAMENT SUMMONED

OPENING ON SEPTEMBER 21 BY-ELECTION CAUSES DELAY. MAY END BEFORE CHRISTMAS. IMPORTANT MEASURES AHEAD. (By Wire—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The acting-Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, announced to-day that Cabinet had decided to recommend the Governor-General to convene Parliament on September 21. Formal notification of the meeting of Parliament will be contained in a Gazette extraordinary to be issued shortly, but members of Parliament have been apprised of the meeting by telegram. Parliament would probably have been called together early next month had it not been for the Lyttelton by-election, which it is desired should be out of the way before the House assembles. The by-election is to be held on September 13, but it is doubtful whether the newlyelected member will be able to take his or her seat until some weeks later, as the fact that the Chatham Islands are included in the Lyttelton electorate will probably lead to some delay in making the necessary declaration. Preliminary results of the polling at Chatham Islands will be forwarded by wireless, but the official declaration cannot be made until the actual voting papers have been forwarded to headquarters. The Government is anxious to conclude the business of Parliament before Christmas, but in view of the late date of meeting some doubt exists whether this will be possible. An endeavour may be made to secure a curtailment of the Address-in-Reply debate, which usually occupies two or three weeks. On this occasion there will be no reason for prolonging the debate as tire Government is already prepared with some instalments of its legislation. . AGREEMENT NECESSARY.

If there is to be a curtailment of the debate it will be necessary for the Government to reach an agreement with the official Opposition, which is naturally jealous of its main opportunity of reviewing general aspects of the Government’s policy. On this occasion, however, it is considered probable that the Labour Party will be prepared to forego some of its rights in order to facilitate the business of the House. It is understood the Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates, will be in a position to present his Budget proposals at an early stage of the session, especially as he will have the opportunity of conferring with the Prime Minister prior to the opening of Parliament, Mr. Forbes being due to return to New Zealand on September 18. One of the main pieces of legislation will be a Bill for the establishment of a central reserve bank. This Bill was introduced towards the close of last session, but did not proceed further than the first reading stage. It is not expected this session’s measure will differ materially from that of last session.

Parliament will be also asked to ratify the trade agreement arrived at between the Australian and New Zealand Governments early this year, but it is not expected the general tariff revision will be tackled as it is not considered likely that the Tariff Commission will, have completed its task in time. The commission is due to report on September 30, but an extension beyond that date will no doubt be granted. It is also anticipated the Government will introduce the Companies Amendment Bill, which is designed to bring the New Zealand company law into line with the English law. _

Applications received at Dunedin up to date for building subsidies under the No. 10 scheme number 356, representing a total value of £198,000. Up to the present 228 have been approved, including 114 new houses. The pluck and endurance of the modern girl were well ilustrated on Sunday, when a young lady left Palmerston North by bicycle, pedalled to the Levin Pipe Bridge, and tramped, to the Ohau Hut and back to the bridge, when she mounted her machine again and sped away homeward. The cycling and walking trip, undertaken alone, was certainly a teat of endurance, as the total distance is about 80 miles.

Those who made a practice in the spring of rearing and selling tomato seedlings are reminded that it is necessary for them to have a nursery license and pay the statutory fee of £1 An inspection by officers of the' Department of Agriculture has shown that there are many small property-owners who have neglected their responsibilities in this direction. The Issue of a license and all that it entails is essential to ensure that nothing but diseasefree plants is distributed.

The number of employees in the engineering and metal industries has fallen considerably in the last three years, according to figures placed before the Tariff Commission by Mr. A. E. Mander, secretary of the New Zealand Manufacturers Federation. He said the total number of persons engaged in 1930 was 15.166, the value of the output being £7,821,000. Since then the number employed and the value of the output had dropped considerably, so that to-day the total number employed was 11,000 and the value of the output £4,700,000. Ancient and modern methods of travel were interestingly contrasted on the Horowhenua Lake on Sunday morning, when a speed-boat, a yacht, and a Maori canoe were to be seen at the same time, while overhead three aroplanes soared. The ancient method of water travel was certainly the most reliable, for while the speed-boat was temporarily out of commission, and the yacht lay becalmed, the Maori canoe moved gracefully along, trailing behind it a small boat, its reflection moving with it, in the placid waters of the lake.

Many varieties of fish are said to exist in the Horowhenua Lake, amongst these being perch, eels, trout, and carp, and on Sunday afternoon three Maori girls were to be seen catching the last-named fish, the method being to wade in the shallows and watch for a movement of the fish, which was deftly thrown v.p into a basket held by another girl. In about half an hour the basket was nearly full of beautiful fish, with bronze and red. gold scales, the largest specimens being abuot nine inches In length.

There was much activity at the Wanganui airport over the week-end. The weather was ideal for flying and many flights were made, both by local pupils and a number from New Plymouth who journeyed to Wanganui by car. Ihe ■ ABP was flown to' Wanganui from Hawera by Mr. R. Beatson, as it was required here for tuition purposes, and the AAX was also in use. The latter machine was to have been. flown to Hawera this afternoon by Miss. Trevor Hunter. On Saturday Mr. M. King flaw to Martinborough with a lady passenger, returning on Sunday. During the week-end a pupil flew solo for the first time after the short training period of 31 hours. Miss E. Parkinson, of Waitotara, gave a good exhibition of stunting on Saturday morning.