FOUR NEW BILLS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20505, 25 August 1936, Page 6

FOUR NEW BILLS

INTRODUCTION TO-DAY MORTGAGE ADJUSTMENT INCLUDED (From Our Parliamentary Reporter! WELLINGTON, August 24. Four new Bills are likely to be introduced in the House of Representatives to-morrow afternoon. They are the Mortgage Adjustment Bill, two Pensions Bills, one dealing with civil pensions and the other with military pensions, and a measure providing for a postal ballot of ratepayers in the Southland electric power district on the question of whether or not the Government is to take over control of the Southland Power Board’s undertaking. Consideration of the estimates of departmental expenditure will be continued in the House to-morrow, but their importance will be dwarfed by the appearance of the new Bills, especially the Mortgage Bill, which is being eagerly awaited throughout the country. The measure provides for the readjustment of all mortgages on the basis of the guaranteed price for dairy products, and will be easily the longest Bill to come before Parliament this session. According to the Minister of Finance (Hon. W. Nash) there is a prospect that the Bill may not be ready for introduction until the evening. The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) repeated this evening his assurance that no attempt would be made to rush the measure through the House. “In adjusting mortgages we realise that we are dealing with a complex problem,” he said, “and it is only fair that the country as a whole should be given ample time to consider our actual proposals.” Mr Savage said the procedure to be followed with the Bill had not yet been definitely determined. There was a possibility that after its introduction the second reading debate might not be started until next week so that the people interested would have an opportunity of studying the Bill. On the other hand it might be desirable to open the second reading debate this week as Mr Nash’s explanation of the Bill in moving the second reading might give many people a better understanding of the Government’s plans. In all probability the opening of the second reading debate would be broadcast.

A caucus of the Government Party will be held to-morrow morning, and according to the Prime Minister consideration will be given to the two Pensions Bills and the Agricultural Workers Bill, which was reported back from the Labour Bills Committee with minor amendments last week and now awaits its second reading.