PROGRESS OF BILLS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18129, 19 July 1924, Page 13

PROGRESS OF BILLS.

YESTERDAY'S WORK IN THE HOUSE. (AB2IDOED TBSSS ASSOCIATION aZPOBT.) "WELLINGTON, July 18. Several Government measures were advanced a stage in the House of Kepresentatives to-day. Police Force BilL The Hon. C. J. Parr moved the second reading of the Police Force Act Amendment Bill. He explained that the Bill had been drafted by the police authorities, and was intended to remove anomalies which the working of the present Act had exposed. The term "sergeant" is now denned as a member of the Force below the rank of sub-inspector and above that of constable. The power of dealing in a disciplinary manner with superintendents, inspectors,, or sub-inspectors lay formerly with the Governor-jSeneral. Under the new Bill, in the case of a charge of misconduct, or neglect of duty, and denial of the charge, the Minister may appoint a Board of Enquiry, consisting of members of whom only one shall be a member of the Force, who shall investigate the charge and report to the Minister, who in turn may recommend the Governor-General to dismiss, fine, or inflict other punishment. In the case of sergeants and constables who are similarly dealt with, tlie new clauses provide that the competent authority, that iB, the Minister and the Commissioner respectively, shall not be bound by the terms of the recommendation submitted to him, excepting that he shall not inflict a more severe penalty than that recommended. The Bfll removes the hardship under which members of the Police Force, who were in tho Expeditionary Force, have suffered. Hitherto their full rights in the Force wore restored if they rejoined within six months of their discharge. This period has now been extended to two years and three months. Mr Wilford said he had great faith in the heads of the police of New Zealand, and if .the Minister could assure him that they were the parents of the Bill, it would go a long way to reassure him. The Minister: They aro entirely responsible for it. • Continuing, Mr Wilford said his objection of the Bill was the enormous power that was given to the Minister. There were certain amendments, which he would suggest should be incorporated in committee, to prevent "Star Chamber'' methods in connexion with enquiries.within the Force. The spirit prevailing in the Force in New Zealand to-day was good, and. we should keep it so. Mr Holland said he recognised tho difficulty the police had in getting convictions of cunning criminals, but ha hoped that the New Zealand police would not be instructed to practise deception in order to obtain convictions. The Bill was read a second time, and referred to tho Statuses Revision Committee. Copyright Bill. The Copyright Act Amendment Bill was introduced by the Hon. C. J. Parr, and read a second time without discussion. Sale of Food and Drugs BilL ° • Sir Maui Pomare, in moving the second reading of the Sale of Foods and Drugs Act Amendment Bill, explained that the. Bill was intended to bring 'tlie.Jaw-;up.'to date. to the securing .of purity in such articles offer ed.for sale, and to prevent deception. The Bill was read a second time without debate. Extradition BilL

The Extradition Act Amendment Bill, introduced by the Hon. C. J. Parr, provides" that' Stipendiary Magistrates shall, without further appointment, be .Commissioners for the purpose of tho principal Act,.Section 3 of which is repealed. Bribery is added to the list of extradition crimes. On the motion of the Minister, the Bill was read a second time without discussion. Local Legislation Bill The Hon. E. F. Bollard, in moving the second reading of the Local Legislation Bill, explained that the Bill was introduced last session, but could not be passed owing to pressure of other business. It had. been broughi down again unaltered, except for the omission of one clause. The Bill pro* vided machinery by means of winch local bodies mitfht obtain minor local legislation without recourse to the '' Washing-Up'' Bil, and ratepayers and others interested might have fullnotice Of what Was proposed to be enacted, and the opportunity to oppose it, if they so desired. The Bill provided that a local authority should submit its proposals in concrete form to the Minister of Internal Affairs in order that they might b3 considered by the Government. Objections must be made in writing to the Minister, who must forward particulars to the local authority concerned, in order that both parties might appear before a Parliamentary Committee The only difference between the present Bill and that of last session was the omission of the clause providing that no application should be received by the Minister after two months of the session had expired. After several members had suggested several committee amendments, 'the Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Standing Orders Committee. The House rose at 9.60 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.