THE SESSION

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20497, 13 May 1938, Page 6

THE SESSION

The Cabinet will be busy dealing with the measures that are to provide for national superannuation and health insurance, but with one Minister in Australia, and others making tours of the Dominion on departmental and electioneering business, it seems likely that the preparatory work has been left to a committee. As a rule the session commences about the fourth week in June, so that there is not a very long time to go, and, with such an exceptionally heavy programme to put through, it might be advisable to summon Parliament a little earlier this year. The other items, such as the revision of the education system, the local body amalgamation Bill, amendment of the transport law and departmental reports could be dealt with, and possibly the Minister of Finance could bring down the Budget a little earlier. In fact a great deal of the routine business of the session could be transacted, and the way cleared for the major Bills. The matters to be dealt with are of such importance that there should be no attempt to prevent full discussion. The superannuation plan especially will mean very heavy expenditure, and hasty consideration could very easily prove costly to the country. The machinery clauses alone will demand the closest attention, for a plan on this scale has never before been attempted. Much of the general business in the House could be handled by the other Ministers leaving those who are dealing with the two Bills mentioned free to devote their attention to them. With a general election .approaching the members will be anxious to get back to their constituencies, and unless some such arrangement as that outlined is adopted the last minute rush, which has characterised too many sessions, will be hectic. , It will be impossible to extend the session unduly, for that xyould bring the election close to the busy Christmas season, and the Prime Minister wishes to avoid that. The only other course would be to summon Parliament earlier than usual, in order that the annual and minoi measures may be considered first, leaving reasonable time for the debate on the bigger items of policy.