PARLIAMENT

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20989, 18 October 1933, Page 10

PARLIAMENT

SIX BILLS PASSED MANY REPORTS PRESENTED [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, October 17. To-day the House of Representatives really set itself to work, and although it made an early adjournment at 9.30 p.m., it had by then passed no fewer than six Government bills—the rirst to be passed since the session began three weeks ago. As had been anticipated, the only measure which drew much comment in, the committee stages was the Agricultural -.md Pastoral Societies Amendment Bill, but the amendment proposed by Mr A. J. Stallworlhy Und., Eden) was lost, and the bill ultimately went through in its original form. The Nurses and Midwives Registration Bill, the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Amendment Bill. tnc Arbitration Clauses (Protocol) and Arbitration (Foreign Awards.) Bill, the Marriage Amendment Bili, and the Judicature Amendment Bill were rapidly put through all stages. No fewer than four more Government bills were introduced by Gover-nor-General's message. They were the Orchard Tux Amendment Bill, exempting stone fruit growers from the payment of ilreblight tax; an amendment to the Weights and Measures Act, providing for the more efficient control of sale of ready-packed goods, the Egmont National Park Amendment Bill, which is purely a machinery measure, and, finally, the longawaited Companies Bill, consolidating the whole ot the New Zealand company law, and bringing it into line with the imperial law, as laid down in the Consolidating British Act, of 1929.

The bill is a highly technical measure, and very difficult to construe. It contains, however, many amendments of great interest and importance to the commercial community, and to the general public. A further sheaf of departmental reports was placed on the table of the House to-day, and the Minister for Employment, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, made his promised statement regarding the finances of the Unemployment Board. He was unable to hold out any hope of a reduction in the present rate of unemployment taxation. To-morrow the House will discuss answers to questions which have been accumulating ever since the Housemet, and private members will be given an opportunity to be heard on bills which they have promoted. Discussions with the banks regarding the Ror.erve Bank of New Zealand Bill are proceeding, and at present it appears unlikely lhat the bill will be introduced before Friday, while it may be delayed until next week. Mr D. McDougall's defection from the Government to take a seat on lh<-> cross benches has meant elevation for Mr Henry Holland, who has now taken the empty seat on the Government back benches, directly behind the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon G V. r . Forbes,

DISCUSSIONS IX THE HOUSE

CONTROL OF SHOWMEN STANDARD WEIGHTS AMI .MEASURES AUSOCIATIUK rri.UGRA.M.) WELLINGTON", October 17. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The Orchard Tax Amendment Bill, and the Weights and Measures Amendment Bill were introduced by Gov-ernor-General's message, and read a first time. Explaining the former measure, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan said it was similar to the bill which had been introduced last session. Under the present legislation all orchardists were subject to a levy of 5s an acre to assist in the suppression of fireblight. There were now many orchards growing only citrus or stone fruits, which were not subject to fireblight, and it seemod unfair that these orchardists should be called on to assist in the suppression of a disease which did not affect them. The bill also made provision for compensation to fireblight committees, member..; of which at the present time were serving in an honorary capacity. The Hon. Adam Hamilton, explaining the Weights and Measures Amendment Bill, said it gave effect to certain resolutions adopted at the last Imperial Conference in regard to weights and measures. The provisions would be carried out in conjunction with the British Board of Trade. There was another clause in the bill which applied only to the Dominion. This gave power to the Labour Department to prosecute persons who kept underweight articles for sale. Under the present legislation it was necessary for an article to be sold before proceedings could be taken. Mr R. McKeen (Lab., Wellington South): Will the clause apply to goods sold in packets, tins, or bottles? Mr Hamilton: It applies only to goods represented to be a certain weight. Mr McKeen: Some tins of goods, which are supposed to contain a pound, contain only 12 ounces. Mr Hamilton: If they arc sold as pound tins, they will have-to contain a pound.

Mr A. S. Richards (Lab, Roskill) and Mr McKeen urged that provision should be made for all goods sold in packets, etc., to be stamped in such a way that the public was not deceived as to the amount they were purchasing. Mr J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn) asked for more information concerning the resolutions adopted by the Imperial Conference. The Minister said the resolutions merely dealt with the standard pound weight, and standard yard length. There were no "catches" in the bill. The object was to keep our standard pound and yard in accordance with the corresponding British standards. Pressed for further details, the Minister said that provision was made fori comparison between New Zealand and British standards at regular intervals. The New Zealand yardstick and standard pound weight would have to be sent Home every five years to make sure there was no variation. Mr F. Langst.one (Lab, Waimarino):. Will there be a delegation accompanying -hem? (Laughter.).

Registration of Debentures. A'-; important departure has been made from the existing law and practice, both in New Zealand and England, regaidin.a provisions for registration of debentures in England. The practice is to file a notice of particulars of the debenture in New Zealand. A copy of the instrument cresting the charge is registered. Since doubts have been raised whether this registration was or was not notice of the contents of the instrument, it is provided that the registration of a copy of the instrument should be notice of the contents of the document to all persons having dealings with the property charged. This provision, however, has no application to '.barges on land. Provision is made for the endorsement of the certificate of registration on debentures.

In Committee. The Whakalane Harbour Board Vesting Bill jMr Macmillan) was introduced, and read a first time. The House went into committee on the Nurses and Midwives Registration Amendment Bill, the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Amendment Bill, the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Amendment Bill, the Arbitration Clauses (Protocol), and Arbitration (Foreign Awards) Bill, the Marriage Amendment Bill, and the Judicature Amendment Bill. Speaking on the short title of the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Amendment Bill, Mr F. "VV. Schramm criticised the clause giving the societies power to prohibit certain classes of people from going on to the showgrounds. He said the societies might draw up 20 or 30 sets of regulations, all of which would be different, and urged that provision should be made for the issue of one set of regulations to apply to shows throughout New Zealand. He agreed that people who were allowed to run .side shows should be under control, and not allowed to swindle the public.

Mr E. J. Howard (Lab.. Chrisfchureh South) said the bill would give power to people outside the Justice Department lo class others as criminals. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe said the Police Department favoured the bill. Far from making criminals, it would' have the effect of keeping criminals away from shows. Mr H. S. S. Kyle <.C Riccartoni said the police wanted the bill passed because, under the present law, there were difficulties in the way of keeping undesirables off the show grounds. It was often difficult for the police to obtain definite proof of the illegality of some side-shows, because confederates warned the showmen when the police were approaching. There was an association of showmen who, for their own protection, desired that the bill should be passed. Mr Lee said that the Minister could soothe all fears about the bill if he would give an assurance Ilia), the drafting of the regulations would be in the hands of the Justice Department, but objection would be raised if the agricultural and pastoral societies were to be allowed to be a law unto themselves, and every agricultural and pastoral society was going to be turned into a legislative body. Possibility of Injustice. Mr A. J. Stallworthy (hid., Eden.) said it was possible that some society might issue a regulation prohibiting all persons convicted of negligent driving from going on to a show ground. This might give rise to a grave injustice, because often the persons were convicted for offences which turned out to be very trivial when the full circumstances were known.

Mr Macmillan said it was impossible to rely on the police to exercise full control of all shows, because it was often the case that insufficient police could be made available. It would be impossible to frame one set of regulations that could apply to all agricultural and pastoral societies. He said that all the regulations were in accordance with the terms of the bill, subject to approval by tie Government. Mr J. Hardest (C, InvercargilD said the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association had asked him to oppose the bill because it considered the Police Department should have the sol" right to issue licenses to showmen.

Mr Macmillan said if the Southland or any other association did not want 1o make use of the powers given by the bill it would not need to do so. Mr J. A. Nash (C, Palnierston) said that an agricultural and pastoral association which embraced all societies in the North Island hart been pressing for the bill for years. Mr Schramm expressed the opinion that alt applications for licenses should be made to a stipendiary magistrate. Mr Stallworthy moved an amendment to provide that all the regulations should be advertised in the newspapers in the districts concerned. This was defeated on the voices, and the bill went through committee unamended. Companies Bill. Tiie Egsnonl National Park Amendment Bill was introduced by Gover-nor-General's Message and read a first time. The Hon. K. A. Hansom explained that the bill consisted mainly of machinery clauses, designed to bring the board into conformity with other domain boards. The Companies Bill was also introduced by Governor-General's Message, and read a first time. Mr M. J. Savage < Lab., Auckland West) asked whether the bill would be referred to a Parliamentary committee so that companies and others would have an opportunity to present their case. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates said the bill consisted of 264 pages, and between 400 and 500 clauses. He did not favour referring it to a Parliamentary committee. The committee of the whole House would no doubt go very closely into each clause. He said that the bill was the result of some three years' study by a committee set up bv Sir Thomas Sidey, and consisting of lawyers, accountants, auditors, company secretaries, and company lawyers. If it; were referred to a committee of the House it might be another two or three years before it was possible to pass it into law. The Minister read to the House a brief report submitted bv the committee which had framed the legislation. The committee had not considered any recommendations as to winding-up rules, which it considered was a most important part: of the law of companies. The absence of such rules was a serious defect, and the committee trusted that winding-up rules would be issued at the earliest possible date. In v lanimouslv recommending the bill to be passed* this session the committee, although holding differences of opinion on some of the details of the legislation, expressed the opinion that the measure in the present form was a very great advance in company law in New Zealand.

Mr Barnard's Suggestion. Mr W. F. Barnard fLab.. Napier) suggested that the Minister should refer the bill to the Statutes Revision Committee, which would not take two years to deal with it. He believed the committee would merely fasten on to those aspects which 'involved u change. He imagined the work could be completed in, say, a week. Mr H. G. R. Mason (Lab., Auckland Suburbs) expressed disappointment . The bill contained no clauses to "clear up the mess about windingup companies." He said the law on this subject was tiie most antiquated and most hopeless part of New Zealand company law. ' Bills Passed. The following bills were put through the remaining stages and oased—Nurses and Midwives .Registration Amendment, National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Amendment, Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Amendment, Arbitration Clauses (Protocol) and Arbitration (Foreign Awards), Marriage Amendment and Judicature Amendment. Speaking during the committee stage of the Marriage Amendment Bill, Mr C. Carr (Lab., Timaru) said there had been some misapprehension regarding the question put by the former leader of the Opposition as to whether there has been any opposition from the churches. This question related solely to the point of recognition of womezi as authorised ministers to conduct the marriage service. The House rose at 9.30 p.m. nutil tomorrow.