YESTERDAY IN THE HOUSE

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24954, 15 August 1946, Page 4

YESTERDAY IN THE HOUSE

TWO BILLS PASSED (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, August 14. After spending the afternoon on Ministers’ replies to questions, the House of Representatives quickly passed two bills this evening, and made substantial progress on a third. One bill was introduced to-day, a measure giving legislative effect to regulations designed to prevent payment of backhanders” above land sales court valuations.

Another message from the Gover-nor-General was received by the House to-day. It was a formal recommendation that the Christchurch Domain Bill, as far as it affects the rights and prerogatives of the Crown, should be allowed to proceed. The Agricultural and Pastoral Committee reported back the Stock Foods Bill with numerous amendments designed to clarify the intentions of the measure.

When the Passports Bill was being passed, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) said it was a worthwhile measure, because it made it easier for tourists to enter and leave New*Zealand.

There were some Opposition misgivings about the effect of the Rural Intermediate Credits Amendment Bill, because it was thought it might lead to curtailment of the work of intermediate credit associations, but the Minister of Finance (the Rt. Hon. W. Nash) said it was hoped they would continue their good work. The House was in Committee on the Stock Remedies Amendment Bill when the time came for the adjournment. Mr P. Carr (Government, Auckland West), who has been absent because of illness for some weeks, was back in his place to-day, but the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. B. Roberts) is still on sick leave.

To-morrow the House will probably take local bills, including the Christchurch Domain Bill, in the afternoon, and adjourn until the evening, when Mr Nash will present his Budget. There may be a late sitting, as resolutions providing for reductions in sales tax and customs duty are expected to be introduced and debated.