THE FINAL CHOICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11215, 22 October 1914, Page 6

THE FINAL CHOICE.

+. -■„— LEGISLATIVE PLANS. QUICK DESPATCH OF BILLS PROMISED. THE "SLAUGHTERED INNOCENTS." (Special to the " Star.") WELLINGTON,. October 21. The Prime Minister, according to his promise, took the House into his confidence this afternoon regarding the Government's final programme for the remainder of the session. He explained, anvyjl Opposition laughter, that the Bills not proceeded with could merely be allowed, to stand over till next session, but were not to bo dropped. Twenty-one-Bills were mentioned for passage, in addition to several others which have not come down, while an opportunity was promised to put through Mr Hindma.rsh's Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amuedment, and MrM'Combs's Industrial Unions ami Trade Unions Enabling Bill. The list of Bills to go through include the Legislative Council, Workers' Dwellings Amendment, Land Laws Amendment, State Advances Amendment, Wages Protection and Contractors' Liens Amendment, Taieri Land . Drainage Amendment, New Zealand University, River Boards Amendment, Railways Improvement Authorisation, Legislature Amendment (No. 2), Native Land Amendment, Orchard and Garden Diseases Amendment, Medical Practitioners, Shipping Documents Duing War, Laud Agents Amendment, • Mining Amendment, Coal Mines Amendment and Cook Island. In reply to a question about a Shops and Offices Bill the Prime Minister said that if one did come down it would be a. very email Bill. » THE LAND TAXSir Joseph Ward: What a.bout an increase of the graduated land tax? The. Prime Minister: That will he part of the programme for next session. (Opposition, -laughter.) Mr Massey went on to say that there would also he a Loan Bill, to be discussed in connection with the Public Works Statement. Sir Joseph Ward: How much is in it? The Prime Minister: I would advise the honourable 'gentleman to wait until he sees it.. There will also be two "washing up" Bills, not of a con- j teutio.us nature. In addition, there j are several small. Bills of a semi-con- ■. tehtious character to be submitted to the House. .Sir Joseph Ward: Is it your intention to bring down a Local Navy Bill tliis' session? The Prime Miuister: No. but I think recent happenings have proved that it is necessary. Some better provision should be made for the naval defence of this country. We certainly do not want a tin-pot navy. (Laughter.) The Prime Minister went on to say that he would consult the House about meeting on Saturday to deal with local Bills, and expressed, the opinion that. if there were no waste of time the session should be , completed Without difficulty on"Saturday week. | EVERY ASSISTANCE. Sir Joseph Ward explained that he had said long ago that in the absence of contentious- measures the Opposition would afford every assistance in putting the programme, through. The Legislative Council Bill, was, however, extremely contentious. For the remainder of the. programme there : should be do difficult in getting it through with despatch., # . The Prime Minister replied-that he was very .strongly of opinion, that the principle of the Bill should go' on "ffle. Statute Book this session, and the details then be submitted to the countrv for an opinion. "Is it intended to make any more appointments to the Legislative Council before the .elections'?" asked the leader of. the Opposition. The Prime Minister: No. proposal to appoint new members to the Legislative Council has been considered by tho present Government. . , Anion"- the Government Bills which have to "stand over for the session are tho Local Grants and Subsidies. Mas-, tor and Apprentice, Shipping, Motor,-; Defamation, Crimes Act Amendment, Magistrate's Court and Religious In- I atruction in Schools Referendum. .