SESSION'S WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1932, Page 12

SESSION'S WORK

A BIG PROGRAMME

SOME OBSTACLES

UNEMPLOYMENT SCHEME

Although the Government has so far made no detailed announcement v.s to the: programme it intends to follow during the special session of Parliament opening on 23rd February, sufficient has been said to indicate that the first session of the twenty-fourth Parliament will be no holiday for legislators. Owing to the expense attached to a meeting of Parliament, the Government will be anxious not to unduly prolong the session, and it is expected that pressure will be applied fairly early in. the proceedings. ; ■ There docs not appear to bo any real reason why Parliament should not get down to work immediately. Usually with a new Parliament there aro a number of new. members who take a little time to settle down to their surroundings, but on this occasion there are only eight political novitiates. The first obstacle of the session will be the Address ; in-Beply debate, which provides members with their main opportunity'of saying exactly what they feel about the policy and administration of the occupants of the Treasury benches. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland) will no doubt, take steps to ascertain the feeling of the Souse towards the Coalition, and this; will involve a no-confidence amendment. Although the result would appear to be a foregone conclusion, Mr. Holland will succeed in securing a definite - party alignment. Address-in-Eeply debates in New Zealand have a habit of dragging on, but it is probable that for the short session the Government will follow the same course as was followed during the emergency session of 1931. The ordinary sitting days of the House are Tuesdays/Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays,-the hours being from 2.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. on the first three days and from 10.30 a.m. until 5.30 pan. on Fridays, but during the emergency session of 1931 the House decided to sit on Mondays and Saturdays, as well, and at the same time extended the hours from 2.30 p.m. till mid'aight, with the exception of Saturdays, when the ktrars were from 10.30 a.m. until 1 p.m. ' Precedence was also given to ■ Government business for the whole, of the session. •■

THE STANDING ORDERS.

Another matter to engage the early attention of the House will probably be the revision of the* Standing Orders .to provide for the reintroduetion of the closure. Daring the 1931 short session the, closure was introduced to put a stop ibo the determined opposition offered to the Government's proposals from the Labour benches, but it was provided that it should apply for the term of that Parliament only. Labour members state.that they will again strenuously oppose the closure, so it would appear that a repetition of the long debate of last year, extending over nearly three sitting days, Is in prospect, '...-: ;To a certain extent, the nature of the Government's legislative programme will depend on the recommendations of the Special Economy Commission, which has just commenced its sittings, and •which is required to submit an interim report "on the most important or urgent matters" by Ist March, in order that necessary legislation might be put through before the beginning of the next; financial year. Mr. Forbes has already, indicated that in view of the fact that jthe London money market is temporarily closed against New Zealand iand that any accommodation will have to'be found within the Country further economies will be necessary. The Government ; has already put into operation a. number of economies which do not require, legislative sanction.

THE I.C. AND a; ACT.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks of the session will be the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, the terms, of which, it is believed have been practically decided, although no .official intimation, of them has been given. It is believed that one of the main proposals will be a system of compulsory conciliation and optional arbitration. An effort may also be wade to removo many of the restrictions ,at present imposed .on ■ industry. Labour's attitude on this question lias been made plain on more than one occasion, and it is not likely tho party will submit to drastic alterations without a strenuous fight. : Unemployment is another problem that will hayeto be confronted by Parliament during the short session. The Minister in Charge of Unemployment <the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) and the members of the Uneiriploy ->oht Board are at present working on a scheme which it is hoped to put into operation before very long. Mr. Coatcs has already given, a broad outline of his proposal, and has expressed confidence that it will prove better than anything yet attempted in New Zealand, but the details have yet to be finalised. Mr. Coates' and the board are working on those details now, and it is hoped that the proposals will be outlined to the public before the opening of Parliament. ;.It is? stated that' Parliament will be asked to make extra financial provision for unemployment, and amendments to the Unemployment Act may be necessary .to give legislative effect to the new plan. The Minister of Unemployment recognises fully the urgent necessity of taking some action to relieve distress in the cities, and he has stated'on more'than one occasion that the relief wages now paid are not sufficient 'to enable married men to pay' rent and feed and clothe their families. Mr. Coates's. statement that'he ig working on a new: scheme has aroused keen interest throughout the Dominion, and the details are being eagerly awaited. • The-.Mortgagors 1 Belief Act and its amendments are also to be revised in the Jight of present-day needs, with special reference to the plight of the farmer; ' .

Parliament will also be asked by the Government to ratify tho trade agreement recentlyrarrived at between Canada and-New Zealand. Cabinet is expected to consider the terms of the treaty -within the next week, in order that" no time will be lost in securing ratification. Merchants and others have already, been urging that the '. treaty Bhould be made effective by Order-in - Council, but this the GovernmenUhas no power to do. Trade agreements with other countries must be ratified by Parliament.