FORMIDABLE PROGRAMME

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20055, 29 September 1939, Page 6

FORMIDABLE PROGRAMME

PARLIAMENTARY SESSION A LIVELY DISCUSSION STATUTES AMENDMENT (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Parliament laces a formidable programme before its work ends. In a survey for information in the House of Representatives yesterday, the acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. P .Fraser, mentioned 15 bills, some not yet introduced. He admitted frankly that there were controversial subjects to come, but he could not have foreseen that towards mid-night, in connection with an apparently formal measure, the Statutes Amendment Bill, there would arise one of the liveliest discussions of the Session over a clause seeking to cope with the problem of liquor at dances. The bill only got through the committee at 1 a.m., because the Minister of Justice, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, withdrew the. controversial clause with the object of submitting it to the Stautes Revision Committee, when a modification may enable legislation on the subject to be adopted at this session.

The debate was notable for differences of opinion among members on all sides of the House, the issue not being regarded as a party one. The Customs Amendment Bill, embodying resolutions for increased duties ori beer, wines, spirits, tobacco, cigarettes and cigars, passed all stages after many hours of discussion.

Curiosity was expressed whether the Government had reached finality m its taxing programme, members particularly wishing to know when tea might be taxed. The Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, replied that he hoped it would be a long time before . they came to tea, but if they had to get money for war purposes they might eventually tax this commodity.