PROGRESS IN THE HOUSE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 248, 19 October 1937, Page 7

PROGRESS IN THE HOUSE

PENDING LEGISLATION [Per P ress Association. ] WELLINGTON, Oct. 18. Although a good deal of the time of the House of Representatives during the past week was spent in discussing the Budget, this debate has not yet been finished. It seems very likely, however, that the Budget will be finally disposed of this weex. When the Budget debate is finished —and it may be reasonably expected to do so about Thursday—the House will proceed with consideration of the Estimates of departmental expenditure. More than one indication has been given that the Opposition will take advantage of every opportunity thus offered for criticising detailed points of Government activity. Government members have frequently challenged the Opposition during the Budget debate to name specific instances where they consider that expenditure might be reduced, and tne discussion on the Estimates will provide an admirable opportunity for this to be done.

Another week has gone by witnout the introduction of any new legislation of any importance. It is known that the Law Drafting Office is very busy, so that there is a possibility that in the reasonably near future some new Bills will make their appearance. Among the legislation scheduled for the first part of this session are Bills dealing with local body amalgamation, the proposed Council of Sport, the Defence Council co-ordinating the Army, Navy and Air Boards, education, agricultural developments, and the restoration of three-year Parliaments. The Prime Minister has expressed a desire to have this part of the session finished early in December, which leaves about two months before the midsummer break is taken, and as the second half of the session is almost certain to be occupied entirely by the legislation for national superannuation and national health insurance, it is reasonable to expect an acceleration of work in the fairly near future. So far the pace of Parliament has been desultory.