NO DECISION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21280, 26 November 1940, Page 7

NO DECISION

PARTY LEADERSHIP DISCUSSION PROCEEDING NATIONAL CAUCUS (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Monday The caucus of Parliamentary members of the National Party met this morning to consider the question of leadership. The discussion lasted until 6.30 p.m. without any decision being reached, and the caucus will resume tomorrow morning. The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, said it was hoped that finality would be achieved then. No voting took place to-day and no nomination against Mr Hamilton has come forward. It is believed that the question may be settled by agreement without the need for a vote. There were 19 members present at, today’s caucus. The only absentees, apart from those with the armed forces, were the Rt. Hon. G. W. P'orbes (Hurunui) and Sir Apirana Ngata. These two will probably be present, however, when the caucus is resumed in the morning. When members met this morning they were addressed at length by Mr Hamilton. A free but friendly discussion followed with the questions of leadership and participation in the War Cabinet being reviewed from all angles. Private conferences were held later in the evening by groups of members to go more closely into the questions raised at the caucus. WORK OF PARLIAMENT SESSION RESUMES TODAY (i*y Telegraph.—special lo Time*) WELLINGTON, Monday The final portion of the present session of Parliament will commence tomorrow, and is expected to last a fortnight, after which Parliament will be prorogued, to be re-opened by the Governor-General designate, Sir Cyril Newall, in February. The main legislative item for the remainder of the session is the Small Farms Amendment Bill. The second reading debate began in October, but at the strong representation of the Opposition the debate was adjourned until the next sitting. At recent meetings in many centres farmers have passed resolutions protesting against the form of the Bill. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union has also expressed its strong opposition in a letter to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser. The Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, announced late last week that it' was intended to proceed with the measure. Hours of Shops A proposed amendment to the Shops and Offices Act to allow the Arbitration Court to fix the opening and closing hours of shops was introduced earlier in the year. It was subsequently referred to the Labour Bills Committee, which has not yet reported to the House. Also set down for the present short sitting is a Bill to bring South African War veterans under the provisions of the War Pensions Extension Act. Another Finance Bill, the fourth for the year, may also be introduced and passed before the House is prorogued. It is likely to be of ] a minor nature, with no fresh taxation provisions.