PARLIAMENT TO-DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1921, Page 5

PARLIAMENT TO-DAY.

BUSINESS FOR THE WEEK. % RACING COMMISSION’S REPORT. Parliament will resume this afternoon. Cabinet held lengthy sittings both on Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon. The principal work before Ministers, stated the Prime Minister to a Times representative, was the discussion of the order in which the business before Parliament is to be taken this week. Of the Government measures on last Friday’s Order Paper, the Land Agents Bill, the Local Bodies’ Loans Amendment Bill, and the Motor Vehicles Bill were advanced a stage, each of them being read a second time; but the others—the Mortgages and Deposits Extension Bill (down for second reading), the Animals Protection and Game Bill (to be committed), and the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill (down for second reading)—were not reached. It is practically certain that the report of the Racing Commission will be presented this week. The report will be tabled early in the week, with an Order-in-Coun-cil authorising the issue of permits in accordance with its terms. The discussion will not take place immediately, but will probably wait until the end of the week. The report may also be discussed by the Legislative Council, as the vote of either chamber is sufficient to reject the report. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Finance Minister, interviewed during the week-end as to when the Financial Statement is likely to be made, replied that he could not possibly say. “It is not ready yet,” he added. “The fact is, I am working on it now.” “Is there any hope of it being brought down this week?” asked the reporter. “Not a hope,” was the emphatic reply. THE HIGHWAYS BILL. According to the Leader of the Opposition, the Main Highways Bill has little hope of success. Speaking on the Motor Vehicles Bill, Mr. Wilford said that the Minister knew that the Highways Bill was as dead as Julius Caesar. The Minister had said that if the Motor Bill did not go through the Highways Bill could not, as the finance would not be available. Nearly everyone knew that the Highways Bill was not going through, and that it was not going to be allowed to go through. SHIPPING FREIGHTS. The Prime Minister has made his statement concerning the work of the Imperial Conference, but he has still to report to the House of Representatives regarding some other matters that engaged his attention in Britain. These matters include shipping freights. Mr. Massey conferred with representatives of the shipping companies in London, and it was stated at the time that although he had been unable to secure any immeditae reduction in freights, he had received an assurance that the matter would be reconsidered at the end of the year, and that New Zealand shippers would be given the benefit of any reduction in running costs that had taken place by that time. A COMING DEBATE. Mr. Massey has promised members of the House of Representatives that they will be given an opportunity to discuss the matters covered in his report upon the work of the Imperial Conference. The occasion will be provided by the tabling of a paper, or possibly by the presentation of a motion. The debate, when it takes place, is likely to occupy a full day. The number of members who take a keen interest in Imperial affairs does not appear to be very large, but many members have something to say on one or other of the numerous topics mentioned by Mr. Massey.