WORK FOR THE SESSION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 511, 19 May 1909, Page 6

WORK FOR THE SESSION.

STATEMENT. BY HON. DB.. FIIX;:.'X

PROPOSED NEW • MEAfiUlV.rj. Interviewed by a "Star*' rcpr;:.-i. ~': v o, the Hon. Dr. Findlay, Minister and Attorney-General, gave some ; idea of' what' he purposes doing with several important measures which were shelved last session. ', _ .. Ono of the most important of them wa» tho Polioo Offences Act, and this will bo reintroduced this session, probably under a now title. The Bill of last year proposes to add to tho definition of an habitual drunkard any person who, at tho time of conviction for drunkenness, .is tho subject of a prohibition order, and has been twice convicted of having committed a breach thereof.; Any person, other than a medical practitioner, delivering intoxicating liquor to any person detained in an institution for habitual drunkards commits an offence, and is liable to a fine not exceeding £20. Persons com-' mittiug offences while under tho infhionco of drink may, in addition to, or in lieu of, penalty, bo ordered to be detained in an institution for habitual drunkards. _ Tho Bill of last year further proposed that in tho caso of institutions for. fallen women, the Court, in addition to. or in. lieu of . penalty, to which women or girls may bo liablo.uudcr Sections 33 or 49 of tho principal Act, may by order. ; commit that woman or girl to an institution for fallen womon, providing that tho govern- 1 ing authority is willing to accept her, for a poribu of not exceeding 12' months. Tho Bill to bo reintroduced during tho coming, session, Dr. Findlay adds, will contain provisions aiming chiefly at providing a bettor system for dealng with those electing to' go to reformatory homes, and provision will also bo made for tho amendment of the law regarding inebriates. Tho Bill will not contain any radically now provisions, and', win tend to make the existing machinery more offectivo. ...-/. . ' i , - ■■. In regard ;to tho Lot Practitioners' Amendment BilL which passed the Legislative Council in September, but failed to gain, tho concurrence of tho House of Representatives, Dr. Findlay could not say definitely as to whether it would be introduced this year,' If it was, ho.bad strong doubts as to whether it wonld pass tho Lower Honso. "I- anV strongly ofj tho opinion 'that it should boj placed upon the Statute Book," he said, "both in tho interests of the jrabKo and of tho profession, but that view I know is not generally shared." As to what will bo done with tho'Judiciary Bill during the coming sosnon, the Hon. Dr. Findlay said ho was not at present in a/Position to speak definitely.: