THE SESSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1921, Page 4

THE SESSION.

DISCUSSION OF TOTALISATOR

PERMITS

WELLINGTON, Aug. 1

The Prime Minister (Mr M nssey) is expected to reach 'Wellington about October 5. If the session of Parliament

opens on September 22, as is likely, the House will not have had time to deal with much beyond the Address-in-Reply before Mr Massey takes his seat. The report of the Racing Commission is one of the matters that will await his return.

Discussion in political circles indicates] that some attempt will he made by interested members to secure the amendment of the commission’s report. The Gaining Act of last year, which authorised the constitution of the commission, provided that the recommendations should become void if either House dissented from them, but there may be room for aineudincni without involving the rejection of the report and the complete restoration oi the old conditions as to totalisntor permits. Whether or not the parties can reach any agreement as to amendment is another question. The members who object to the increase of the total number of permits, plus the members who oppose the extinction ol certain clubs, may be found to constitute a majority oi the House. The discussions that took place last year indicated that most members believed the present allocation of permits was unfair, but the report, embodying the revised scheme of distribution, may have to stand or tall as a whole. The Tariff Bill is expect.<l to be read;, for the House by the time the Prime Ministei returns. But Mr -Hnssey, who ha: stated that lie- will take charge of the measure in the House, i-. likely to leo tire time for its study niter he rea.-he-. Wellington, and Ihe measure n, av not roach Pal liainoiii milch belore the end of October. Tim proeednn after that will be a matter i"r Cabinet consideration. The Tariff Commissioi lias beard evidence from tin- various in tare sis likely to be specially affected h.\ tie new tarilF. but these interests, and pa r; imlarly the manufacturers’ associs lions, may de-ire ro be beard again ailoi tlu \ have seen the Bill. 1 bey do not know at present what lines the commission i- going to billow in the dialling of the Bill.

The new tariff will come into operation l>\ resolutions of the two Houses as soon as the Bill is pieseuled. and under the pre'-enl law the tariff' measure itself mil't lie placed on the Statute Book before the end ot the session. II lHis is to be done, the members oi Parliament must either adopt the Bill without listening to many arguments, or else they must, be prepared to continue the session well into the New A ear. There seems to ho no reason, however, whv New Zealand should not follow the example of Australia, and provide that after the tariff' resolutions have been adopted, the Tariff Bill itself may lie carried forward to another session lor consideration. The Federal Parliament has used an arrangement of this kind, which gives facilities for extended discussion before the tariff is adopted ill its final form.

held in Sydney during the year with the Australian Board of Missions, at which questions relating 1o work ; n the Pacific were discussed and dealt with.

During the year four new workers went to various mission fields from Ne v Zealand, and were doing good work.