PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20214, 17 April 1931, Page 14

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MORTGAGORS RELIEF BILL. (PIIE9S ASSOCIATION telegram ) WELLINGTON, April 16. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Mr J. S. Fletcher (Ind., Grey Lynn) asked the Prime Minister whether he had seen a newspaper paragraph stating that it was proposed to set up a petrol production plant in Australia and whether the Government intended to establish a , plant in Now Zealand Such a plant would give employment to a large number of men and save the Dominion £2,000,000 per annum. ~ . , , , Mr Forbes said he had not yet seen thb paragraph, but he would make enquiries in regard to it. The Hon. A. J. tetallworthy gave notice of intention to introduce the Auckland Harbour Bridge Company, Limited, Bill.

Mortgagors Relief BUI. The amendments made to the Mortgagors Relief Bill by the Legislative Council were considered. The Speaker said one of the amendments affected Crown property, and as the House had solo control of the public purse tho- alteration made by the Council was a breach of privilege. He understood, however, that as the Bill was an urgent one the Prime Minister intended to content to the amendment on condition that a precedent was not established. . , The Prime Minister said there were no objections to the amendments, and ho moved to waive the privileges of the House on tho understanding that it should not bo taken as a precedent. , Mr Forbes explained that the nrst amendment merely limited the application of the Act, and if it were subsequently necessary to extend it there was nothing to prevent such Action.irom being taken. The other amendment provided that where' the whole of the 'proceedings in connexion with a,sale under a mortgage had been concluded, and the property had changed hands and w*s in possession of a, third party,: such arrangements should not, he disturbed. As it provided clearly that all' titles, etc.* should already have changed "hands, there eould be very few, if any, cases affected where the proceedings were commenced after the date on which the Bill was deemed to have come into operation. The amendments were adopted.

Railways BilL The debate on the Railways Bill was continued. Mr W. Nash (Lab., Hutt) raised an objection that increases had been made in-workers' tickets, and criticised the workshops policy. Mr A. Harris (8., Waitemata) said it was difficult to understand what had prompted the Government to bring down the Bill, which did not seem to have any friends in the House. , Even Ministers were lukewarm. The Bill should' be held over until next session. The debate was continued till the House rose at midnight till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (tnxhs' ASSOdfATIOH 'TEUSOBAH.) ' WELLINGTON, April 16. The Legislative Council met at 2.80 \ Replying to the Hon. Leader'of the Council (Hon. Sir Thomas Bidey) said-the Government wpjjld continue . to take steps with'; the object of enabling- pro»pector& 'to prospect portions of the Patarua yalley Rotate I in 1 Collingwood Cobntv. ■' i The- Mortgagors Belief Bill 1 was re* ; i ported - from the' Statutes 1 Revision 1 | Committee, with amendments. '•» Sir Thomas Sidqv explained' that it, i wao 'proposed to limit the operation 1 of the Act until December 815t,11932.' A >new clause had- been jneertea deall fcg with contracts for sale after ! March 28th and prior to the passing of the Bill. • /- | i th 'movmg the second readingj Sir I Thomas Sidey said it had been,'made 1 necessary by the economic conditions of the country. ' 'k - 'The HoR. R/ Moore said be believed (that mer^iigors'should receive'every consideration,' N but h"e believed the behefiti *of tiS® proposed legislation trould not,* balance, the disadvantages, Ariy legislaticin , providing - for the breaking of contracts was 'dangerous. The Hon. -O. J; Garland and 4 the Hon. D. Buddp the Bill. < The amendments outlined were ■agreed to in Committee and the' Bill "was passed. -' ■ i -■j The Criuncil rose-at j p.m.