BILLS PASSED

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 88, 12 October 1915, Page 2

BILLS PASSED

WORK IN PARLIAMENT

Several Bills were dealt with in the House of Representatives yesterday after the Post had gone to press. Tho Railways Improvement Authorisation Bill (dealing with Auckland railways), the New Zealand University Amendment Bill (enabling ■ students to obtain their degrees if they enlist), the Public Service Classification and Superannuation Amendment Bill (giving the Public Service Board the right to selectinvestments, leaving the Public Trust Office to act as agent for the board) were passed. The second reading of the Legislative Council Amendment Bill was moved by Mr. Massey. He explained that he had promised the House that before the Act came into operation it would be finally considered, with a view to, possible revision. So far there had been no opportunity of considering the matter, tne time of the House being fully occupied with war legislation. He was not now proposing to interfere with the principle of the Act, hut merely to postpone its operation until the year 1917, which was election year. The effect of the Bill was that the ! door would be kept open so far as further appointments to the Legislative Council were concerned until the year 1917. (Hear, hear.) There was no discussion on the Bill, which was passed without amendment. The Rating Amendment Bill, enabling a local body in cne district to strike rates on another local body's property in its district, as was the law prior to 1913, was put through all stages and passed, with a small amendment. The Public Service Classification and Superannuation Amendment Bill was committed. Clause 15, "status of officers," was struck out on the voices. In clause 19 a machinery amendment was made relating to th«> investment of the common fund of the Public Trust Office. The Bill was reported with these and other machinery amendments, and subsequently put through final stages. Technical amendments* in the Gaming Act Amendment Bill were brought down by Governor's Message, and agreed to. At 11.32 p.m., after the Supplementary Estimates had been passed, the Prime Minister announced that the Appropriation Bill was not ready, but said he was quite prepared to wait for them, if members were prepared to finish the session. In the alternative he suggested that the House meet again the following day to transact the remaining business, and upon a vote on the question being called for •-on the voices, an adjournment was agreed to. The Housb then adjourned until 10.30 a.m. to-day. IN THE COUNCIL GAMING AMENDMENT BILL. The amendments made by Governor's Message in the Gaming Amendment Bill were objected to in the Legislative Council by the Hon. J. T. Paul on the ground that they were intended to recoup the Wellington Racing Club for any sacrifice it might have made in connection with the war. More serious things than horseracing ought to occupy their ■attention at the present time. "I have not been to a race meeting since the war broke out," said Sir Francis Bell, in answer to a complaint by Mr. Paul that there is too much racing in New Zealand at such a crisis. In answer to this contention, Sir Francis Bell said the Government had commandeered the Wellington Club's racecourse. It might have to-commandeer many other racecourses, but it wanted to be fair to the racing bodies whose grounds were occupied. The amendments were agreed to on division by 12 votes to 6. FINAL STAGES. The Railways Improvement Authorisation Amendment Bill, the Legislative Council Amendment Bill, the Public Service Classification and • Superannuation Amendment Bill, the Rating Amendment Bill, and the Shops and Offices Act Amendment Bill were received from the House and put through all stages. At 11.35 p.m. the Council adjourned until 11 o'clock this morning.