THE ORDER OF BUSINESS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 127, 16 October 1912, Page 8

THE ORDER OF BUSINESS.

A BIG PROGRAMME. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent). "Wellington, Last Night. The Prime Minister made a statement in the House this afternoon as to the business he proposed to put through before the session closes.

In answer to an interjection by Sir Joseph Ward, he said that he thought Parliament could prorogue in about ten days. With unreasonable discussion it would probably take about thirty days. He proposed, he added, to go on with the Pharmacy Amendment Bill, the Local Authorities Superannuation Amendment Bill, the Justices of the Peace Amendment Bill, the Widows' Pensions Amendment Bill, and the McCarthy Trust Bill. Those Bills-should not occupy more than a quarter of an hour of the time of the House, and there should also be no delay in connection with the Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Bill. The Cemeteries Amendment Bill, the Aged and Infirm Pensions Protection Bill, the Cook Islands Government Amendment Bill, would also be put through, together with the Public Service Classification and Superannuation Amendment Bill. He also proposed to proceed with the Barmaids Registration Bill, which was intended to remedy a technical defect in the original Act.

Mr. Glover: Leave that alone. The Prime Minister: I am afraid we shall have to go on with it. Other Bills to be gone on with would be the Marriage Amendment, Land Agents' Registration. Defence Amendment. and Military Pensions Bill. He hoped to move the second reading of the Land Bill the following day. Bills to be proceeded with were the Agricultural Laborers' Accommodation Bill, dealing with accommodation for flaxmill hands, and the Pollution of Wa.ter Supply Bill, both of which were before the Agriculture Committee. In regard to the Plumbers' Registration Bill he expressed the opinion that the plumbers had a grievance, but evidence would have to be taken, and he was not quite sure that would be finished before the end of the session. If not, it was intended to bring the Bill before the House at the commencement of next session. There would be an amendment of the Arbitration Act. He had had an important Bill prepared at the commencement of the session, but under tlie circumstances he considered that It would be unwise to go on with it. Anyway some of the proposed amendments would be brought down. There would also be a "washing up" Bill. Sir Joseph Ward: Already? Mr. Massey: Owing to the action of the last Government. There would be a Railways Authorisation Bill, as several lengths of line would required to be authorised. He proposed to ask the House to debate on the Loan Bill on the Public Works Statement, which, he understood, would be presented on Friday next. The Native Lands Bill was now before the Native Lands Committee, and there was also a Railway Bill to give effect to the promise of the Minister in regard to increased salaries. There was a small Bill dealing with education, and a Coal Mines Bill. The latter was now before the Mines Committee. Those were practically all the Bills to be gone on with. A member: How about the Local Bodies Loans Bill? Mr. Massey; That Bill will be gone on with. They would not, he added, have time, he thought, to go on with the Counties Amendment Bill. He did not think it necessary to proceed with the Shipping and Seamen's Amendment Bill this session.

Mr. Buchanan asked whether the Government would introduce a Bill providing for telephone extension in oountry districts. The Prime Minister: We intend to proceed with that Bill. I am not quite sure in what form it will he introduced. The Government will ask Parliament to deal with it. Tt- is not in any ■way contentious. Willi reasonable assistance from } member*, lie added, he thought that they !' should finish the work of Parliament before the end of the present month. Mr. Vcitch remarked that several pcitilions had already been received, asking J for a six days' week for hotel employees. What aciiou did the Government intend | to take in the matter? I The Prime Minister said that he had a llil. printed, and he thought the House j could deal with it. but he had been notified by several people that they wanted | to give evidence, and if the Bill was stuck up in the Labor Bills Committee they could not deal nitli it this session. Mr. G. W. Russell said that the Arbitration I'ili would open up the whole labor question, and he also intimated that the Land Bill would be discussed at considerable length. There, was also tlio c|iiestion of railway classification, which would open up a very wide discussion. lu addition, there were the Loan Bill, the Public Works Statement, and the Public Works Estimates to be put through. I ■

Mr. L. M. Isitt appealed to the Prime Minister not to give members work on Saturday.

The Prime Minister said that up to the present the House had not sat late, and he had not asked so far for the suspension of the 12.30 rule."

Sir Joseph Ward said that no Government in the world could get through the work indicated without late hours and without a considerable amount of pressure. The programme was a long one. It would be far better to say straight out that certain Bills would not be gone on with, and that a general understanding should be arrived at as.to what BHIs were to be actually passed. The proposal to appoint a general manager of railways would cause a very long discussion. He hoped that there would be no Saturday sittings. If one was held he would not attend. He declared that no one would find fault with the Government for stopping some of the Bills. There was bound to be a good deal of talk over the Land Bill, Native Land Bill, Coal Mines Bill, and other measures.