THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 38, 13 August 1920, Page 7

THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Several departmental reports and three Ideal Bills (from Napier, Lyttelton, and Dunedin) were the subject of yesterday afternoon's discussions in the House of Representatives. Two and a-half hours in the evening were given to the Masseurs Registration Bill. This had come from the Public Health Committee with many signs of redrafting. What the Public Health Committee had started the Committee of the Whole House fin-, ished. The door -of registration was opened' wider, though the Minister evidently appeared afraid that the Committee wouid remove the door, and, in fact, the whole edifice—in plain language, that ■■ the purpose of the Bill would be defeated by permitting the registration of everyone. He admitted, however, finally that lie was satisfied with the Bill as amended. The principal alteration is that persons who have practised for three\ years within the past five may obtain registration. The next measure for committal was the Statutes Repeal, and Expiring Laws Amendment and' Continuance Bill. When the Acting-Leader of the Opposition suggestefl that progress should be reported when the first clause had been passed, the Prime Minister replied: " Great minds think alike." The idea had occurred to him also. Labour also claimed the idea, then. The first clause was passed without debate, and the House rose at 10.30 p.m. The Legislative Council Amendment Bill, providing for four electoral districts for the election of the Council, was read a first time by that body.