THE DYING SESSION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16043, 27 October 1917, Page 7

THE DYING SESSION.

+ . "WASHING UP" BILL PASSED. (.UIRIDGED PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORT.) AVELLINGTON. October 26. In the House of Representatives tonight the Prime Minister moved tlio second reading of the '"Washing-up" Bill. Several members protested that the Bill contained provisions which should have been brought forward in the form of Local or Private Bills. In the course of tlio discussion, the Hon. D. Buddo complained that the land recently purchased at Balmoral was too poor for forestry purposes, and advised an exchange with other lands in Canterbury more suitable for the purpose. Dr. Thacker said that in. Christchnreh. city there was a German church, and in 'that church were three bells which he understood, were taken by the Germans from the French in 1870. He suggested that these bells should be sent back to France apd presented to the French people as a mark of our esteem and regard. Tho'Prime Minister said ;there was nothing > questionable in the Bill; in fact, like Caesar's wife, it ■ was above suspicion. The second reading of the Bill was agreed to on the voices. In Committee, on.the motion of the Prime Minister, Clauses 100, 103, and 116 were struck out. New clauses were added: (1) authorising tho Auckland University College Council to borrow money for the erection or improvement of buildings, and (2) authorising the Hawera Borough Council to transfer certain land to the Taranaki Education Board as a site for a technical high school. The Bill was then put through its final stages. At 11.50 p.m. the House adjourned until 2.30 p.m. next day.

(special to "the tress ") WELLINGTON, October 26. Regarding the clause in the; "Wash-ing-up" Bill vesting the German church property in Clirißtchurch in the Pubhc Trustee, the Prime Minister to-night, in reply to>l)r.' Thacker, said it was proposed to utilise it for public purposes, -brtfc for what particular purposes he could-not yet say, The clause in the "Washing-up" Bill relating to the'Wainnl Domarn was, upon the motion of the Hon. -R. Heaton Rhodes, amended by tile House to provide for an. exchange of sites, leaving the post office building in its present position, and without the Wainni Domain Board having to provide a new post office.