THE SESSION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 222, 14 June 1920, Page 4

THE SESSION

BIG BILLS IN PEOSPECT.

The first session of the now Parliament, which ib to meet next week, win bq u long and arduous one, even if good progress is made with business on hand. Mr. Massey has already stated that members must como here prepared for a session N of from five to six months, iho Government has already prepared a considerable number of the Bills to. como before Parliament during the session. Neariy every Department is in need of an amending Bill. There is a practical certainty of an Education Bui, which is always a difficult measure to pilot through tho House within a reasonable time. There is also practically a certainty of a Railways Amendment Bill,.and this is another of the measures which is difficult from the point of view of the Government. There will be an important Land Dill, to deal with n great many matters which have created trouble in administration.

Most difficult of all will bo the Finance Bill. Mr. Massey has never said definitely what he intends to do about taxation during the co'minj; session, but it is generally understood that ho has some idea of removing inequalities in

the incidence of taxation. As things are now it will not bo possible for him to drop any revenue, so that ho may not find it possible to give considerable relief, or indeed, any relief'at all, from

the war burdens, placed upon the taxpayer. Relief Riven in some directions may have to bo compensated in others. Some announcements about the curtailment of ordinary expenditure may be expected either along with the Financo Rill or at some other suitable time. This Bill is notjikely to prove an easy one.Tho Financial Statement, will bo speci'ally interesting this yeari It is uuderstood that it is in coursa of preparation, and that it needs little more now but the customary review and amendment by Cabinet.