Parliament’s Task

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 692, 18 June 1929, Page 8

Parliament’s Task

Forecast of Session Work

PARLIAMENT will meet next week for the first serious law-making session of the new Government. Ministerial announcements predict a wealth of miscellaneous legislation, but it has been clearly indicated that the Statute programme will be regulated in a measure by the demeanour of the two Opposition parties in the House of Representatives.

The United Party has no claim to possession of a majority in Parliament. It merely enjoys the position of the largest party in the House. A vote of the united forces of the Labour and Reform Parties and the Independents would at any time defeat Sir Joseph Ward and his new Cabinet by a clear majority of about 25 votes. In ordinary circumstances nothing of this nature is likely to occur—for the country is not seeking the expense of another General Election—but a serious indiscretion on the part of the Government might quickly revive this possibility. Labour, it is known, has made up its mind to press for certain features in legislation embracing the fundamental objectives in the party's platform, and doubtless the use of the United Party’s numerical weakness as a lever toward attaining this end will not b,e overlooked by the band of 19 Labourites in the House. DELICATE SITUATION

The Reform Party, now the official Opposition will, on the authority of its leader, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, have “a whole lot to say” when Parliament meets. Here again the political millstone might hang continually around the neck of the Prime Minister, although the pre-election promises of Reform candidates —and incidentally their long-affirmed principle—not to vote with the Labour Party on a no-confidence motion, must be recalled for analysis at this stage. The delicacy of this situation and its far-reaching possibilities have not discouraged the Prime Minister and his colleagues in forecasting much of the legislation which will be handled by Parliament this year. Endeavours for closer settlement are likely to embrace legislation for a special development fund for Crown lands settlement; to assist tenants in the first stages of their work. This is the announced intention of the Minister of Lands, the Hon. G. W. Forbes. The Prime Minister, too, has said that he will take authority this session to settle more people and ensure that the 16,000 pupils turned out every year from the schools, mentally equipped for the battle of life, would be found openings. Questions of education and apprenticeship will have much in common this year, because the Minister of Labour, the Hon. W. A. Veitch and the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. Atmore, possess coincident views upon making full use of the adaptability of the country’s young men. Apprenticeship problems have been discussed fully at a. representative conference, and, on the authority of the Minister, require legislative adjustment.

In his review of the education systern, Mr. Atmore probably will work toward closer co-ordination of the teachers In the various school divisions, making it possible, in his own words, “to view the pupil throughout his whole scholastic career instead of regarding him from one window as he passes by. Provision for aviation advancement probably will be mentioned in the first hatch of members' questions, but the intentions of the Government are yet in doubt, the Prime Miinster having intimated at Napier some time ago that the time had not yet arrived for extensive development of an air force here.

Summer time, the compromise measure of a talk-weary assembly, must be reviewed or else fall into oblivion. Little opposition would face a reintroduction of the half-hour of summer time, but a revival of the original Sidey-hour Bill would raise further healthy argument. RACING LEGISLATION

Sir George Hunter, the sponsor for many years of the Gaming Amendment Bill, embracing telegraphic bets and the publication of dividends, has been assured of the support of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, and legislative fulfilment of this assurance might eventuate this session.

A cautious policy with respect to motor taxation has been adopted by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. W. A. Veitch, who has arranged for the quarterly payment of heavy-traffic fees. His intention, he said recently, is to postpone the whole question of motor taxation till later on. Agitation for early consideration of this subject probably will be heavy, however.

Comparatively minor questions forecast for this session include the reconsideration of Parliament’s sitting hours, the universal half-holiday —of which the Prime Minister is in favour —adjustment of mines legislation. the provision of homes for the aged indigent—as announced by Sir Joseph Ward at Auckland recently—and a complete review of the timber Industry In New Zealand. A counting of heads on the Bible-in-schools proposals, too, will be interesting, the Minister favouring the Nelson system. The State draughtsmen are now working hard preparing the session’s programme. How their handiwork will emerge after being ground in the mill of political controversy, and how much of it will ultimately reach the Statute Book is one. of the cloudiest features on the country’s present political horizon.