WORK OF THE SESSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2027, 11 September 1919, Page 2

WORK OF THE SESSION.

STATEMENT BY THE PHfc: MINISTER. ’ w ' What does the Government propose to. ask Parliament to pass this session'? How long -will,it last? And when is the general election! coming’? These points were put w - the Prime Minister on Tuesday by Sir Joseph Ward. The Leader of the Opposition suggested that as Parliament had lasted four and ahalf years it was an occasion for complete frankness by the Government over the dale of the general election. Members were anxious to help the Government to put through the business, but (he Government ought to let them know what it expected of the House. Mr Massey, after declaring that tiie Government had no intention to take political advantage of the knowledge it possessed regarding the business it intended to lay before the House, added: “I hope New Zealand will never go back to the old syslem of parly government to which we Were accustomed old days. There has been 100 much parly, and 1 want to bring about a change of things.” (“Hoar, hear,” 1 ‘ came -from all sides.) Sir Joseph Ward remarked: ‘‘Take ' a lesson from me, and you will be all right!” Continuing, (he Premier said that the-country expected a certain amount of .business to be done. .First, lb ere will be legislation dealing with finance, while the Financial Statement will be ready in a week or ten days. War gratuities minimi tojje furl her considered by Cabinet*; which already had given a great deal of thought lo the mutter. He felt sure Unit every member, like (bo members of the Government, desired to do the right filing by the soldiers, bid at the same time nothing unfair lo (lie people generally. There would be legislation dealing will) education, which had bepn so long promised: also a Railway Classification Bill, a Jit lie Bill dealing with lands for repatriation; also a Mining Bill, a Coal Mines Bill, some Labour legislation, housing legislation, and a measure to place in the same political position as men, There was also the Cost of Living Bill, winch is ready for circulation, There must be legislation dealing with Iho future government of Samoa. The subjects, he had mentioned need not lake a long time. The general elections must lake place he To re Christmas, and n'ol too - near (lie holidays. When the session was near the end he could .iirnounco tiie dale. ’ ■•'V