INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25345, 19 November 1947, Page 8

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

PARLIAMENT

REHABILITATION ACT AMENDMENTS (P.A.) WELLINGTON. November 18. Several new bills were introduced in the House of Representatives today. Mental Hygiene Division.-—The establishment of a Division of Mental Hygiene of the Department of Health is provided for in the Health Amendment Bill. From the passing of the bill the Mental Hospitals Department will cease to be a separate department and will be the Division of Mental Hygiene. The former title of Director-General of Mental Hospitals . will be changed to that of Director oi the Division of Mental Hygiene. Rehabilitation Amendment—Powei to assist widows of former servicemen is extended by a clause in the Rehabilitation Amendment Eill. The Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr C. F. Skinner) explained that there were former servicemen who had been killed after they had received their discharge from the forces, but before they had applied for rehabilitation help. Their death might not have been caused by their service. The clause would enable help to be given to widows in such cases. Th’e definition of the term “child” is extended by the bill to include a step-child, an adopted child, or an illegitimate child. .The personnel of the Rehabilitation Board is increased by the addition of the Commissioner of Works. Provision is also made for trade training to be granted to former servicemen who served with other British forces. Another clause states that members or Parliament are not to be disqualified because of receipt of subsidy on wagei paid to trade trainees. Samoa Amendment Bill.—When the Samoa Amendment Bill was introduced the Prime Minister • (Mr P. Fraser) said the bill embodiwi principles outlined by the Minister oi Finance (Mr W. Nash) in a statement to the House of Representatives ton August. An explanatory memorandum circulated with the bill said it wap the purpose of the bill to implement the first of a series of progressive steps toward the eventual grant of full-gov-ernment to the people of Western Samoa and to remove the existing legal disability in regard to defence measures. The bill provides for the appointment of a High Commissioner and Deputy-High Commissioner in place of the Administrator and DeputyAdministrator. establishes a Council m State (comprising the High Commissioner and the Fautua with advisory functions), abolishes the present Legislative Council and substitutes a Legislative Assembly with an absolute majority of Samoan members, and empowers the Legislative Assembly to make ordinances for the peace; order, and good government of Western Samoa and to dispose of the revenues of the territory. Regulations made under the authority of the Agriculture (Emergency Pcwers) Act. 1934. are validated by the Agricultural Emergency Regulations Confirmation Bill. The regulations concerned are the Apple and Marketing Regulations. 1942. Amendment No. 1, the Dairy (Milk Treatment) Regulations. 1946. the Butter Marketing Regulations, 1937. Amendment No. 2, the Bobby Calf Marketing Regulations. 1947. and the Bobby CaK Marketing Regulations. 1947, Amendment No. 1.