SEVERAL BILLS INTRODUCED IN THE LAST WEEK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 78, 4 August 1950, Page 5

SEVERAL BILLS INTRODUCED IN THE LAST WEEK

(Special to Beacon) Wellington, yesterday.

Main interest in the House of Representatives last week centred in the debate on the Legislative Cotmcil Abolition Bill, which provides for the abolition of the Council as from January 1, 1951. The measure was fully debated. The Opposition wanted the Bill deferred until alternative proposals referred to in the National Party’s election manifesto and by the Government could be considered, and to this end moved an amendment to the Bill.

The amendment was defeated by 44 votes to 34, after which the second reading debate was resumed. This was completed on Wednesday evening, and the Bill was put through committee. No division was called for on the second reading. The Bill has. yet to be read a third time and passed, after which it will go tod'the Legislative Council.

On Wednesday afternoon the Government introduced the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Amendment Bill, the introduction being opposed by the Opposition. According to the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Bowden, the Bill sought to take away from the Minister of Finance dictatorial powers which he formerly exercised. What was the sense of giving the bank certain functions and deciding that, no matter what the Statute said, the Minister could dictate the. financial policy of the Bank? Under the new system direction could be debated, he said. Regaining Possession

The House started the second reading debate of the Tenancy Amendment Bill on Thursday. Under this measure restrictions which have hitherto militated against a landlord’s regaining possession of tenanted premises are to be relaxed. The Government would pursue a policy of orderly decontrol and gradual easing of restrictions, said the Minister of Labour, Mr Sullivan, moving the second reading. The Opposition view was that the Bill encouraged evictions and should be withdrawn. The measure is still before the House.

Friday was devoted to the passage of the Imprest Supply Bill, the Bill being the cause for a discussion on the cost of living. On Friday, too, the Minister in Charge of Civil Aviation, Mr Goosman, announced the Government’s intention to sell to private enterprise the National Airways Corporation, at present owned by the Government.