THE WORK AHEAD

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 56, 3 September 1926, Page 8

THE WORK AHEAD

+ CLOSE OF THE SESSION NEXT WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY MYSTERY OF THE LICENSING BILL. Opposition members made inquiries of the Prime Minister n tho. House of Representatives last night as to what further legislation it is - proposed to introduce, and when the session is expected to close. Incidentally a further unsuccessful attempt was made to draw the Prime Minister - upon the question as to what it is proposed to do with the Licensing Bill. "Is this Bill really necessary?" inquired Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) when the Stamps Duties Amendment Bill was introduced in the middle of the evening by Governor-General's Message. Bills wore coming down in such profusion, he added, that every day it was becoming increasingly apparent that members would not have a proper opportunity to consider them, and especially of dealing with such important measures as the Licensing Bill. He asked whether some of the Bills could not be held over until next session. There wero already on the Order Paper the Licensing Bill and the Gaming Bill and various other measures of a contentious nature. The Minister of. Finance (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart): "It is rather refreshing to-hear members saying that there are too many Bills down, because in some sessions they complain that the business of the Houso is not ready." Tho Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland): "That was true at the beginning of this session." Mr. Coates said there had been a steady supply of Bills to keep tho House going. Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunni): "Th.> Bills are ready, and the members aro exhausted.'' BILLS TO COME. "How much more business does the Primo Minister propose to place before tho Houso this session?" asked the Leader of the Opposition at a later stage. "I think last night he said he probably would be able to-day to make a statement in respect to the Licensing Bill. He might tell us something also about the Gaming Bill, and when hi expects to have the Supplementary Estimates and the Appropriation Bill down. I take it that the Supplementary Estimates ;Won''t-be down this week. It would meet with the , convenience of members, too, if they knew when the House was likely to rise." The Prime Minister indicated certain Bills on the Order Paper which he proposed to go on with, and pointed out certain others which had been reported from Committees. Still to be introduced were two banking Bills—ona the Bank of New Zealand Bill and the other dealing with rural credits —a Customs Amendment Bill, the Oh__ibus Bill, dealing with the control of omnibuses, and the Supplementary . Estimates, which would come down on Saturday or Monday. When that business had been completed there was the Appropriation Bill. Mr. Holland: "Is there anything definite about the Licensing and Gaming Bills?" Mr. Coates: "The honourable gentleman will hear of the Gaming Bill again." He said he understood that the honourable gentleman in charge of tho Bill proposed that it be read a second time pro forma and referred.to a Committee. Mr. Holland: "What will happen to it?" (Laughter.) NEXT WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY. Mr. Coates went on to add that the omnibus legislation was prepared in rough form, and he hoped to get it finalised in the course of a day or so. "That still leaves tho. Licensing Bill," persisted Mr. Holland. Mr. Coates said that apparently, Mr. Holland had misunderstood what he had said on the previous evening. What he said was that he, hoped to make a statement concerning the Licensing Bill in a day or so, "Oh, make it now," urged the appealing voice of Mr. Fraser, amidst laughter. Mr. Forbes: "When do you expect to close down?" Tho Prime Minister: "I expect about next Wednesday or Thursday." Mr. D. G. Sulliyan (Avon): "I think you had better take Parliament with you and finish the rest of the business on. the voyage." (Laughter.) Mr. .Coates said that so far as he was concerned he, was more than content ith the work the House was doing. "But I am not'certain," he added, "why the question of my going away has been emphasised so much. If I am not mistaken ,it will meet the wishes of all parties if Parliament closed at an early date." Mr. H. Atmore (Nelson): "Not till the work is done." "No," agreed the Prime Minister. "I think we should meet the convenience of members by allowing the work to run out as early as possible." Mr. Holland: "It is running all right." (Laughter.) Mr. Coates said he did not think so. had been working quietly within the collar, and it had been a jog trot. The Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward: "It has been fairly swift." Mr. W. Parry (Auckland Central): "Are there any hurdles ahead?" Mr. Coates: "Oh, well, we will take those as they come."