The day in Parliament

Press, 21 October 1983, Page 4

The day in Parliament

PA Wellington Parliament rose at 2.52 a.m. yesterday after sitting under urgency to complete the committee stage of the Transport Amendment Bill (No. 5). The bill was set down for its third reading next sitting day.

Parliament was told when it resumed at 2.30 p.m. that the Governor-General, Sir David Beattie, had given the Royal Assent to six acts — the Indecent Publications Amendment Act, the Matrimonial Property Amendment Act, the Property Laws Amendment Act, the Sale of Liquor Amendment Act, the Trustee Amendment Act, and the Winemakers Amendment Act.

Five petitions, all asking Parliament to reject the State Services Conditions of Employment Bill, were presented by Mr K. T. Wetere (Lab., Western Maori), on behalf of L. de Thierry, of Te Kauwhata and 10 others; the Minister of Energy, Mr Birch, on behalf of M. J. F. McAllister, of Huntley, and 47 others; Dr G. A. Wall (Lab.; Porirua), on behalf of Roy Keith Hollands, of Porirua,■ and 379 others; and Mr M. J. Minogue (Govt, Hamilton

West), on behalf of K. Arkley, of Hamilton, and 349 others, and Trevor Leonard Burgess, of Hamilton, and 146 others. Members gave 12 notices of motion.

The Minister of Labour, Mr Bolger, brought in the Wages Protection Bill.

The bill was introduced by 38 votes to 37 and was referred to the Labour and Education Select Committee.

Ministers answered 21 questions.

The chairman of the select committee studying the Industrial Law Reform Bill, Mr C. B. Townshend, sought leave to hear submissions on the bill at other centres throughout New Zealand. The leave was granted.

The Marlborough County Council Empowering Amendment bill was given a second reading and set down for committal next sitting day. Debate on the Social Welfare Department estimates resumed.

The debate on Social Welfare estimates continued when the House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The War Pensions estimates were debated. Members then began debating Education estimates until the House rose at 10.30 p.m.