A BIG PROGRAMME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 212, 28 August 1908, Page 4

A BIG PROGRAMME.

I'ARLIAMEXT'S TASK THIS SESSION POSITION OF THE ARBITRATION ACT. STATEMENT 1!Y THE PREMIER. A considerable amount of curiosity as to what) the tiovernment intends to do with its big legislative programme has been shown, and Mr. Massey (leader of the Opposition) voiced the prevailing feeling in Parliament on Tuesday when, as one of the signs of the busy times, the Premier moved: That after Wednesday, and tor the remainder of the session, Government business take precedence on Wednesdays. A RUMOUR. Mr. -Massey remarked that lie was not keen on legislation, for there had been quite enough, but there must be some, and the country was anxious to know what was going to be done. There had been very disquieting rumours that the Government intended to drop the Arbitration Act. The Premier—Who said that? Mr. Massey replied that rumour said so. NOT A WASTED DAY. The Premier assured Mr. Mussey that he intended asking the House to put through the whole of the important Bills proposed by the Government (hear, hear) —" and 1 believe we can do it," lie added. There had not been a wasted day, or even hour, during the J session, good work having been done. Uofil the Estimates were adopted, the Public Works Statement could not come down, while in regard to the important Bill now before the Labour Bills Committee the policy of the Government had been before the country. Until it came back from the committee no member of the House was able to make up liis mind what course to follow in ord;r to put upon a proper basis the industrial life of the country. The Government intended asking the House to put a measure on the Statute Book whi.-:i would be in the interests of the country as a whole. As for rumours, the only ones lie had heard had been in the di reel ion of expressing the hope tint there would be turmoil and difficulty over that legislation. It was a bad state of affairs if a matter so closely concerned with the industrial welfare of the country was to be twisted and turned to party advantage, and he hoped Hie Bill would not be regarded as a party matter. When they got it liel'orc the House they would not be afraid or deterred from suggesting the best course in regard to this important subject. :n the course of a week or two he would be quite prepared to indicate what measures the Government would be prepared to go on with. He was not in favour of driving the Parliamentary machine too swiftly, but he. believed that by the exercise of a little common sense ill the important proposals the Government had outlined'could be dealt with.