THE SESSION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9652, 17 November 1909, Page 6

THE SESSION.

PROBABLE DURATION. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 16. In the House of Representatives this afternoon the Premier made a statement regarding the probable duration of the session. With regard to facilitating business, he suggested as the whole of the proposals contained in the Budget would be brought down in separate bills, and the debate qn the Budget be limited to the leaders of hoth parties. He did not, of course, refer to independent members. His prospect was that if with limitation of debate on the Budget important business should still be

unconcluded by the 22nd December. The House reassembles at February Ist to deal with them and then adjourn until the foilowiiig year. The bills he referred to as the most important were -the bill to authorise expenditure on the bills dealing with defence on land, native lands, licensing and King Country licensing, hospitals, superannuation and annuities. In reference to the Licensing Bill he said that in the event of Dominion prohibition being carried it would involve a change in the inculen ce of taxation, and time would have to be given to adjust this. The Land Bill would ba circulated at the end of the week. Mr Massey, leader of the Opposition, while anxious to facilitate the work I of the session,, said he could not deprive members of their rights by asking them to rsi'rain from speaking I nn the most important matters mentioned in the Budget. He ragratted the necessity to meet again after Christmas, but tne House must face it. Mr D. McLaren, Wellington East, considered the changes foreshadowed in the Budget revolutionary and I should have been submitted to the country before being presenter! to Parliament. Members could no.S do justice to the Budget if there were only two speakers and the rest sat dumb. The Premier said that he only made the suggestion for the House to accept or reject. Mr A. W. Hogg, Masterton, hoped no member would sub mit to be gagged. The Premier's proposals was the most extraordinary he had heard in the House. Mr F. M. B. Fisher, Wellington Central, *said we were rapidly approaching a stage at which the country was being asked to put up with administration without control.

Replying to a question asked by Mr A. S. Malcolm, Clutha, whether it was true the Government would receive tenders for the construction of the Dreadnought, and if ho would the Premier recognise the advisability of leaving that to the Admiralty, Sir J. G. Ward said that the Government had no intention of abrogating its prerogatives. The Government had nothing to do with the construction of the Dreadnought, but the House wuuld have to ratify acceptance of the tender

A BIG TASK. PROGRAMME TO BE PASSED IN ITS ENTIRETY. A caucus of the Government Party was held yesterday, and lasted for two hours and a half. When the caucus terminated, Sir Joseph Ward furnished the newspapers' representatives with an official report, which plainly indicates that the present session is destined to rank as a very important one.'

Kir Joseph Ward stated that 44 members were present, and that two members who were abnenfc were accounted for. "When the caucus ," be continued, "was called, by me for the purpose of discussing the business of the session, more particularly in view of the limited time available between now and Christmas. We recommended reassembling one'month atter the adjournment in the event of the important policy Bills-now before the House not being passed before 22nd December." To this the caucus practically unanimously agreed. "I stated," he continued, "that the policy Bills-, indicated in the Statement were intended to be passed." The Bills are :—- The State Guarantee Advances Bi^i. Land Finance Settlement Bill. Death Duties. Graduated Income Tax Bill. Bank Taxation, including notes.. Racing Clubs Taxation. Land Settlement, including money to he raised tor the purpose of acquiring Maori lands in the Nonthw. Customs Primage. Defence Bill. Land Bill. Native Land Bill. Licensing Bill. King Country Licensing Bill. Superannuation Bill Railway Betterment Bill. Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill. State Provident F"and (or annuities) Bill. "To all of these," 1 the Prime Minister added, "the party agreed." "In the event of the programme not being carried out," Sir Joseph was asked, "what is the position?" The reply was prompt. "We are to assemble by Ist February at latest."