A SHORT SESSION

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 109, 1 February 1935, Page 10

A SHORT SESSION

Parliament to Resume on February 13 FIVE POLICY BILLS WILL BE SUBMITTED Parliament will resume its adjourned session on February 13. This definite information was given yesterday by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. AV. Forbes, who added that tlic legislative programme should be ( completed in a month or five weeks at the latest. It is almost certain that five Bills will be submitted by the Government for consideration. Two of these concern mortgage finance, one providing for the establishment of a National Mortgage Corporation and the other setting up machinery for the rehabilitation of farmers’ finances. There will be a measure dealing with companies’ bondholders, this legislation arising out of the special investigation made last year by a commission. Another Bill will give statutory effect to several recommendations of the Native Affairs Commission, referring particularly to administration of land development schemes. This projected measure is now in the hands of the law draftsman. It is expected that a Bill will be submitted by the Minister of Public AVorks, lion. J. Bitehener, dealing generally with miscellaneous matters, including several concerning the AVaitaki hydro-electric works. In reply to a question, the Prime Minister said emphatically that the Government had no intention of bringing in the Gaming Amendment Bill during the forthcoming short session. The measure was passed by the Legislative Council last year, but was “talked out” in' the House of Representatives.

The fact that the resumed session will finish before the end of March prompted a question as to the personnel of the delegation to the celebrations of the jubilee of the King’s accession. and informal Imperial conferences in London, principally on trade, but no definite information was forthcoming. “The matter has not yet been considered by the Government.” Mr. Forbes said.