Session’s First Legislation

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31071, 28 May 1966, Page 3

Session’s First Legislation

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 27. The careless use of a firearm to cause injury or death, and leaving a loaded firearm in such circumstances as to endanger life are offences under a bill introduced in Parliament to amend the Firearms Act.

The Minister of Police (Mr Allen) said both offences would be punishable summarily by imprisonment up to three months, or a fine of £lOO.

The Attorney-General (Mr Hanan), introduced a bill to amend the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act The bill extends the act to cover loss or damage to prooerty by escaped prisoners. The maximum compensation will be £lOOO. The bill was referred to the statutes revision committee.

Building Fund The Public Trust Office Amendment Bill enables a

transfer of funds for new buildings. The Minister of. Housing (Mr Rae) said that certain funds of the Public Trustee were inadequate to cover new buildings envisaged and the amendment enabled more money to be transferred from the common fund, on security, to the assurance and reserve fund.

Surveyors The Surveyors Bill changes the constitution of the Institute of Surveyors. The provisions reTating to membership are extended to includes persons who are not registered surveyors active in survey work.

Trades Certification The Trades Certification Bill provides for technical teachers to be represented on the Trades Certification Board.

Design Council A bill to establish an industrial design council and institute, and to promote the creation and use of designs beneficial to industry, was introduced by the Minister of In-

dustries and Commerce (Mr Marshall). He said it would involve a capital cost of about £20,000 in the first year. The council would comprise nine members —the heads of the Departments of Industries and Commerce, Industrial and Scientific Research, and Education, and six others recommended by the Minister. Mr Marshall said most of the cost would be borne by the Government, but financial support would be forthcoming from members of the institute, manufacturers and others interested in industrial design. In reply to Mr W. W. Freer (Opp., Mount Albert) he said it was intended that it should become a financially independent organisation as soon as possible. Another bill provides for the Consumer Council and Institute to become independent bodies.

Independence Mr Marshall said the Government would continue to provide a grant to the Consumer Council, but the council had been increasing its income from membership and sale of publications to the point where it was now pro-1

viding for about half the cost of running the organisation and had built up a substantial capital fund.

Universities

An eight-clause bill dealing with universities was introduced. One provides for Massey and Waikato to be represented on the curriculum committee. There is an amendment to the function of the University Entrance Board because of the new university examination bursary scheme.

Another increases from £4OO to £705 the amount which an employee may receive from the university and still remain eligible to be a member of a university council.

Protection Of Cables The protection of submarine cables and pipelines, notably the Cook Strait cable is provided in another bill. The bill is simitar to the provisions of the Geneva Convention on the High Seas. 1958.

Certain areas near cables of pipelines are to be out of bounds for fishing and anchoring except in times of navigational distress.