Mr W H IRVINE (FLINDERS, VICTORIA) . -I think that we are placed in rather a difficult position by the order in which the Government propose to take these proposals. We have had already circulated a Bill embodying the new policy with regard to the note issue. I think the Prime Minister will admit that that is the principal Bill, and that the Bill now proposed to be introduced is supplementary to it.

Mr Fisher - Yes, that is so.

Mr W H IRVINE (FLINDERS, VICTORIA) - Unless there is some insuperable objection in the forms of the House, I suggest that it would be a great deal better not to ask honorable members, even formally, to adopt a proposal for a tax upon notes until we have an opportunity to discuss the principal Bill, the second reading of which the Prime Minister proposes to move on Thursday next. I do not know of any formal requirement under the Standing Orders to prevent the House from discussing the principal Bill before this has gone into Committee at all. Is there any reason why we should not discuss, either at the second reading or the Committee stage, the Bill for the creation of Australian notes before there is any Committee of Ways and Means on the other Bill ? If we could do so, that would get rid of the whole difficulty. Every one recognises that this is the first stage of the discussion of an extremely important change proposed in the system of currency in Australia. Whether that change be good or bad, there will have to be the fullest discussion, which can only be had on the second reading of the Bill which proposes to substitute something for the present system. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that we ought, on a matter of this sort, to endeavour to meet the views of the Government in regard to the order of business so far as we can, so long as we do not lose any substantia] rights of debate. For that reason I acceded, by interjection, to what the Leader of the Opposition said, but I suggest that we shall be nearer to the discussion of the whole matter if we deal with the principal proposition first.