The Waikato Times MONDAY, MAY 30, 1938 THE THIRD SESSION

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20511, 30 May 1938, Page 4

The Waikato Times MONDAY, MAY 30, 1938 THE THIRD SESSION

The Prime Minister has announced that, unless something unoreseen appens, the third session of Parliament will commence on une and he expected that it would last about three months. Mr ._a\age added that usually in the final session members wished to reyew the work of Parliament and that he had no desire to curtail iscussion on the Address-in-Reply or on finance. With so much important legislation to be introduced, the Budget to be presented, the annual taxation measures, and all the routine work of a session the estimate seems to be a little optimistic. Last session the debate on the Address-in-Reply, when presumably members did not wish to review the record of the Administration, extended from September 15 to September 24. Probably it was a little prolonged because an amendment of want of confidence had been moved. The discussion of the Financial Statement was spread over nearly a month. The Budget was brought down on September 28, and the debate commenced two days later. It did not occupy all the time of the House, for certain business had to be put through without delay in order to assist the Departments concerned with fhe taxation assessments, but it was not until October 26 that the Minister of Finance made his reply to the debate. This, admittedly, was an exceptional occurrence. In the first session when the Budget introduced some radical proposals, the discussion lasted about eight days,’ and then only for comparatively short sittings. But if last session the two debates were spread over thirty-five days, it is obvious that, in a session of only three months, either these debates must be curtailed or the consideration of the very important Bills pending must be hurried. The Prime Minister has not announced the legislative programme, and is unlikely to do so, for it is usually stated in a general way in the Governor-General’s speech at the opening of Parliament, but it must be a very lengthy one. The measures already mentioned would occupy the House for some months. The Bills dealing with national superannuation and health insurance will break new ground, and involve very heavy expenditure on the part of the State. They will have to be examined clause by clause for any mistake might prove to be costly. The lines along which the Government intends to proceed have been explained to the members of the Labour Party in caucus, but that could not be regarded as a sufficient substitute for public discussion. The people will expect to have the views of their members placed before them, and the discussions promise to be lengthy. In view of the importance of this social legislation it may be deemed advisable to hold over some of the other measures that had been promised, although that could not be done without causing much disappointment among certain sections. The revision of the education system, for instance, has been definitely promised, and the Minister has been at work on the plan ever since he assumed office. It touches a vital service, and it would be unfortunate if Mr Fraser were not given an opportunity to place his reforms before Parliament. And they should have full consideration, for the education system of the Dominion is not a matter for hasty amendment. The transport legislation and the Bill dealing with local body amalgamation could possibly be held over. The last-mentioned scheme is most controversial and likely to occupy much time before it reaches the Statute Book. There are other matters that were to have been introduced, but in view of the added importance of the annual taxation Bills, giving effect to whatever plans the Budget may disclose, they may not see the light of day. If the Prime Minister’s anticipations are fulfilled then Parliament will be dissolved at the end of September, leaving six or seven weeks for the political campaign. Mr Savage has expressed a desire not to have the general election too near the Christmas season, as it may interfere with preparations for that busy period, so that a date about the middle of November appears to be the most likely for putting the Government record to the usual test.