CRIMES BILL HELD OVER

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29342, 22 October 1960, Page 12

CRIMES BILL HELD OVER

Confirmation Of Decision (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. October 22. The Crimes Bill; at present before Parliament, will be postponed till next session. The Prime Mirtister (Mr Nash) confirmed this in the House of Representatives today. The bill was first introduced under the National Government in 1957. It was revised then by Sir George Finlay and brought before the House again by the present Government last year. The bill was sent to the Statutes Revision Committee and came back to the House with amendments this session. The bill contains the controversial provision abolishing capital punishment. The knowledge that the Opposition will debate this provision at length is believed to be the Government's main reason tor now deciding to postpone the bill till next session. _ The Attorney-General (Mr Mason) has made no secret of his hope' that the bill would be passed this session and. no secret of his disappointment that it is being postponed. Besides the Crimes Bill, three other bills at present on the Order Paper will not be proceeded with. They are the Summary Proceedings Amendment Bill. Education Bill and Mental Health Amendment Bill. They will all be held over till next session.

Mr Nash told the House today that he did not Intend introducing any new bills next week. The session is expected to end on Thursday or Friday.