TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 28, 1 August 1929, Page 15

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m.' to-day.

Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Egrnont) gave notice to ask' the Minister of Agriculture if he proposes to give effect to many strong representations which have been made concerning the spread of Eoxious weeds, which, if not checked, will seriously hamper . the efforts of farmers.

Mr. J. Linklater (Manawatu) gave notice of his intention to introduce tho Mahawatu-Oroua .River Board Amendment Bill; .LIQUOR,IN KING COUNTRY. Mr.R, A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) asked 'the Minister of Customs whether (1) a licence had been granted a brewery erected on the Main tiouth road, Auckland; (2) if so, was the Minister aware that the site was on tho mam highway to the Waikato and King Country; (3) if a brewery was established on this highway, would it not be an. easy matter for travellers to purchase liquor in small quantities and distribute it in the King Country to the serious detriment of the Native normlation? '" ' ■

"Approval has been given to the granting.of a.licence for a brewery en the . Main. South road, Otahuhu, near Auckland," stated the Miuister (the Hon. W. B. Tavcrner), in replying. "Under the licence which will-bo issued beer cannot bo sold except in quantities of two gallons" or over! There appears to: be i ess likelihood of beer for distribution in the. King Country being purchased from sueli a brewery than from breweries and wholesale licensees in Auckland; Hamilton, and other largo towns en route. In any case it is a breach of the law to attempt to dispose of liquor in the King Country." Mr. W. L. Martin (Raglan) asked the Minister of Railways if it was a fact that a private company at Hamilton had submitted an offer for the ■whole of the stock of timber at the Frankton house factory, and, if so, ■whether the farmers' it the district Tvould be.given an opportunity of securing supplies of timber by tender, oi- by public auction, or by advertisement in the Press.

Mr. Taverner replied ' that no such offer had yet come before him, but in the event of it doing so he would take into consideration the point that had been raised. . ■ .

In introducing, the Police Offences Bill,. Mr. .G..CJ Black (Motueka) explained that the object was to give tho Uousb an opportunity of reviewing that suaion of the Act, passed in 1926, permitting the arrest without warrant of a person'deemed to have no. lawful or .visible means of support. '. A Befonn member: "A bookmakers' Bill!". ■

'. In outlining the effefct of his Education Amendment Bill, Mr, J. S. Fletcher (Gtrey Lynn) said he sought to do away with the making of regulations which over-rode Parliament. If that was able to be dono the power of representative government ceased.

Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller) congratulated the mover on following up on a master that had been previously pressed for. by the Labour Party. Colonel T. W. M'Donald (Wairarapa) said he intended to support tho Bill. During the election ho had strenuously objected to any regulation over-riding Statute, law.

■-Mr. E. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) ■ said not one. member would support tho regulation doalt with in- the Bill, :but tho circumstances in which the regulation had been introduced should be taken' into consideration. It was a question of expediency. The Education Act was in such a hopeless that no lawyer could unravel it, and the regulation was necessary on that score. The regulation had never been abused.

Mn Wright said the whole Education Act would have to bo thoroughly overhauled. .

Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) said; Mr. Wright had given no reason why tho clause should have been embodied in legislation. As the late Mm ister of Education, Mr. Wright should have effected a consolidation.. There would be no harm in wiping out the obnoxious provision in tho Act whereby the regulations could be made. He suggested that if the United Party was in earnest in advocating much-needed reforms, they should make themselves responsible for seeing that those reforms were brought into effect. The Minister of Education (tho Hon. H. Atmore) said' that the, matter of overhauling the Act and consolidating it had ; not been overlooked, as.it was in a. hopeless state. The matter, however, would '. take time. He recognised the urgency of the matter, and it would be attended,to as soon as possible.

(Proceeding.)