Session Sure To Be Lively.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18465, 17 May 1928, Page 8

Session Sure To Be Lively.

REFORM FORCES WILL FACE HOT ATTACKS. LICENSING ISSUE IS STILL THORNY SUBJECT. (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, May 17. The coming session, following one which lasted over six months and produced over a hundred public Acts, is not likely to be prolific of legislation The Government in any case is prepared to maintain that its election promises nearly all been translated into statute form, and very little is left to be don*. However, during the few* weeks remaining before the session opens on June 28, Cabinet meetings will be held almost daily, Ministers will stay more continuously in the capital than is at present the case, and some legislative innovations are likely to be prepared to make the Government programme interesting. Controversy rather than legislation is likely to be the feature of the session, and this will not be too prolonged, because members become restive towards October, when their rivals, not in Parliament and free to roam the constituencies, begin to campaign. The parties, with the big fight in view, will utilise debate as a preliminary to the hustings, and it can be taken as a certainty that the Official Opposition will commence this session, as it did the last, with a condemnation of the Government’s handling of Samoan difficulties. The Nationalist section of the opposition will reflect its activities in the country by showing a more aggressive spirit than in recent sessions, so that the Government forces will need to be extremely alert in their en deavours to face the electors during (November under satisfactory conditions.

Unofficial Legislation. The liveliest subjects for prospective measures will be those presented by private members. Mr Sidey will, of course, endeavour to make daylight saving a permanent feature in New Zealand, and advocates of religious education in the primary schools are still hoping that the House which passed a Nelson system amendment will be induced to see that this is not adequate from their viewpoint. Will the Prime Minister repeat, in any form, his efforts to secure amendment of the licensing law? The position is very indefinite. It was not faced at the recent caucus of Reform members, because the business kept steadily to the front was that of organisation for the coming elections, the gathering being attended by influential Government supporters interested in organisation, but not belonging to the parliamentary party. The contentious subject was mentioned, but it was

“left to the Pr(me Minister,” in whom the caucus indicated its complete confidence as leader. The Prime Minister knows that a majority of the Lower House will amend any licensing measure in a way to which he takes strong objection. Efforts have been made during the recess to discover some line of compromise which would lead the House out of the present impasse, but there was no sign of hope. It may happen that the d’rime Minister will decline to try any more experiments on this thorny subject prior to an election, and the result will be the transference of

tho controvertv on the form of the licensing ballot paper to th<? election platforms. No private member is able to introduce a measure involving ap propriation of public money, and it would be difficult to devise any licensing legislation which did not come within the scope of this Standing Order. It must be introduced by Governor's message, and his Excellency acts only on the advice of his Ministers. Failing action bv the Prime Minister, the attempt may be tried by a private member, but it cannot get far along the parliamentary road, and there always the Legislative Council in the background, ready to veto any measure resembling that which was submitted to it last session. Licensing, and religious education in State schools are likely to he important topics in the coming campaign.

The Income Tax. Revisions in the income tax scale which meant slightly higher payments by taxpayers in the “ middle ” register were made last session as a preliminary to general adjustment of the complete scale. No hint has yet been given by the Minister of Finance that he will speciallv consider income taxpayers this session, flfit there are indications pointing that way. Departmental heads who have recently submitted their estimates of expenditure for the year have generally found that Cabinet made reductions. There is a tendency to economise on departmental expenditure, and the public have been let into the secret so far as defence is concerned, the scheme of territorial training having been restrictel this year as a means of economy. The past year ended with a surplus, the pleasant discovery has been made that our loans can be raised on a 4£ per cent basis, and this means easier finanefe. The revision of the income tax, with some concessions would be an extremely popular and timely policy move. The most important legislative item to which the Government is committed for the coming session is that of amending the Arbitration Act. Drastic amendments submit ter last session had to be replaced, with a stop-gap measure definitely providing for some legislation this session. Meanwhile the Industrial Conference has been considering the whole bearings of the subject, and its recommendations will no doubt assist the Government in framing amendments, ably in the direction of strengthening the powers of Conciliation Councils. An amendment of the Government Railways Act will be necessary in accordance with the change of policy replacing the Railways Board by. a general manager. This will give opportunity for interesting discussions, not only in regard to the changes which have taken place in the higher administration of the Department, but its capacity to stand the pressure of motor competition on improved roads. There is a steady plan of consolidation of legislation in progress, and next for attention is the Education Act and its many amendments. A consolidation of this law may make its appearance during the session. Land settlement has not bezn a vigorous activity during recent years, though several amendments of the Land Act have liberalised the conditions of purchase and occupation of Crown lands. It is intended to proa further instalment on these lines during the coming session, and it will be interesting to see whether the Hon A. D. M'Leod, Minister of Lands, has been able to carry his ministerial colleagues with him along the line which he has suggested, that if the country considers secondary industries are worthy of subsidising in their infant stages, that the primary industry, the basis pf our prosperity, is equally worth assistance in order to induce more settlers to go on the difficult classes of country which still await development.