YESTERDAY IN THE HOUSE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25249, 30 July 1947, Page 8

YESTERDAY IN THE HOUSE

SEVERAL BILLS PASSED (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON July 29. . It was a field day for tne lawyers in the House of Representatives to-day. From late aiternoon until well on in the evening the House debated a highly technical legal bill—that dealing with contributory negligence—wnich its sponsor, Attorney -General Mason, said would make New Zealand law follow accepted legal practice in Great Britain. The bill dealt with cases where the negligence of both parties entered into an accident. Under common law neither party would have an action against the other. Tfris bill would follow the example set by the Admiralty Courts and divide the loss between the parties who contributed to it in proportion to the degree of their contribution The bill was riot discussed on party lines. Some Opposition speakers supported it, but Mr M H Oram (Opposition, Manawatu) asked that it be sent back to the Statutes Revision Committee for further consideration on the ground that it would only add to the complexities of the present complex negligence laws. Messrs J. R. Hanan (Invercargill). J. T. Watts (St. Albans), and T. C. Webb (Kaipara) were three Opposition lawyers whp supported the bill, which was passed. The Meat Amendment Bill was also passed. The House began the second reading of the Food and Drugs Amendment Bill. The Minister of Health (Miss M. B. Howard) said it was a consolidation of previous measures and also an attempt to give greater safety in the use of foodstuffs. The bill provided for a better definition of the term “drug.” There was increased power to control misleading advertisements. provision was made for proper labelling of substances at all times, and the mode of branding and labelling containers was widened to include the makers’ names on enamelware and household utensils The sale lof saucepans made of any injurious materials was prohibited. The debate was interrupted by the adjournment. The House to-day passed legislation ! amending the constitution of the VicItoria University College Council.