LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLII, Issue 9372, 29 October 1921, Page 7

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(Per Press Association.) I WELLINGTON, October 28. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Law of Libel Further Amend meht Bill was read a third time and passed. In moving the committal of the Local Bodies Loans Act Amendment Bill, Sir Francis Bell said that there had been considerable discussion^ m another place on the clause dealing with investment of municipal sinking funds, of which the Public Trustee was commissioner. Some argued that if they were forced to pay high rates of interest they should have the right to invest their sinking funds at a higher rate than was obtainable from the trustee's common fund. The Government was prepared to accede to this, but had promised the House that the matter would be further considered m the Council, and that m ajiy case an amendment would be made to enable the House to have the point brought before it again. A nominal amendment had been made to give the House this opportunity. The Hon. Q. Samuel and the Hon. T. ,W. Hislop spoke of the clause which extended the time within which an authorised loan may be raised from two to five yearß, and suggested that conditions might change considerably m that period, and that, therefore, it was desirable that the ratepayers should have the opportunity of reconsidering the loan. The Hon. W. W. Snodgrass suggested that the Minister's authority should be necessary m each case where advantage was taken of the extension. Sir Francis Bell said that no loan could be raised without authority, if the interest was higher than that' fixed by the Act; therefore, as interest rates were likely to remain high, the Minister's authority would be needed m each case. Municipal Councils could be trusted not to run the ratepayers into a bad business proposition. The Bill was committed, amended as indicated, read a third time, and passed. The Rabbit Nuisance Act Amendment Bill was put through its final stages and passed. The Hon. J. MacGregor's Legitimation Act Amendment Bill, which repeals the exception of the principal Act m the case of a child at ihe time of whose birth there existed a legal impediment to marriage of the parents, was passed. The Hon. J. MacGregor's Worjkers Compensation Act Amendment Bill, which limits damages recoverable at common law from an employer m respect of an accident due to the negligence of a fellow-employee, was put through its final stages and passed. The Council adjourned at 3.36 p.m.