THE SESSION

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 19984, 7 September 1936, Page 6

THE SESSION

The Prime Minister has expressed the opinion that the session will come to a close fairly early in October, and his statement with regard to the business yet to be brought before Parliament indicated that several measures would not be proceeded with at this stage. It is to be hoped that the Law Drafting Office will have the State Highways Bill and the legislation dealing with the amalgamation of local bodies ready for presentation before the recess, for then those interested would have ample time to consider the proposals and make what representations they think necessary. Indeed, it would be a good thing if the measure for the “development and control of industry,” as the Prime Minister defined it, were also introduced and then held over until next session because “control of industry” may mean a great deal, and practically nothing has been heard of developments along that line. The Minister of Industries and Commerce, when he spoke in Wellington some time ago, said that while the Government intended to do all in its power to foster industries in the Dominion “most progress must come from the industries themselves,” and that “all the Government can and should do is to assist in all ways possible and to give you the necessary machinery measures.”

Referring to the legislation that he intended to introduce Mr Sullivan said that the object was “the rationalisation of the manufacturing industries in New Zealand,” and there was a further reference to “ Government guidance and assistance.” Just what qualifications any Government may have to guide the development of industries covering a wide range is not at. all clear, but if the Bill intends to give power for Government guidance then amide time should be allowed for the consideration of the measure.

The annual Bills, dealing with taxation, will probably be debated at some length, and Public Works Estimates will also take time. Then there is the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Bill, one of the most involved pieces of legislation introduced for some years. Hurried decisions on those proposals would not be in the interests of either the parties concerned or the Dominion. The session may not establish a record as regards length, for it commenced on March 26, and an adjournment was made from June 11 to July 21. If it should end early in October it will have lasted about twenty-two weeks. Much that has been done will throw heavy duties on the Ministers, and they should have time to attend to the administrative changes that have been authorised. New departments of State cannot be organised over-night, or wholesale changes in the system of control carried through without much attention to detail. The country also requires time to adjust itself to the new conditions imposed by the legislation, so that an early close of the session would probably be welcomed by the community.