PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 23373, 16 September 1939, Page 16

PARLIAMENT

WAY CLEAR FOR WAR FINANCE MEASURES [From Oor Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 15. By disposing of the Supplementary Estimates, the House of .Representatives has cleared the Order Paper of all important business, leaving only a few minor Government Bills and the Alsatian Dog Bill, which has come from the Legislative Council and is a private legislative venture now in the hands of Mr Morgan Williams (Kaiapoi). The Appropriation Bill, a general financial authority which provides wide opportunity for discussion, has been introduced, and will have to be dealt with next week. The most important remaining legislation is that forecasted by the Minister of Finance to expand revenue in order to provide for war purposes. The Acting Prime Minister, when briefly outlining the plans for the coming week, informed the House that the Government hoped to have the war finance measures ready for Tuesday. Otherwise it would proceed with minor measures, including the Nurses and Midwives Bill, which will be reported from a select committee.

Looking down the bare order paper, Mr Forbes, who at the moment was Acting Leader of the Opposition, laughingly suggested that the Government would not have to fall back on the Alsatian Dog Bill. “No,” replied Mr Fraser with mock seriousness. “ I hope the House will not go to the dogs.” The Department of Lands Surveys has made provision to the extent of £6,000 in the Supplementary Estimates for payments to outgoing lessees in respect of uneconomic holdings. This is explained by a clause of the Lands Disposal Bill, which will authorise boundary changes in a number of holdings. Considerable difficulty has arisen with certain Crown tenants owing to the fact that their holdings dp not contain sufficient land to constitute ecoomic farm unite. It is necessary to establish these tenants on a sound basis, and the Lands Department and State Advances Corporation are carrying out investigations with a view to arranging a resubdivision and regrouping of sections in order to provide those concerned with additional land. Following agreement, it is desirable to issue new leases and licenses. A clause enables suitable leases and licenses to . he granted to Crown tenants who are to be re-established, authorises the making of adjustments in respect to rental and other charges payable, and also facilitates the making of further advances by the State.