TODAY'S PROCEEDINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 100, 25 October 1933, Page 11

TODAY'S PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Legislative Council met at 2.30

The Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Amendment Bill was reported baek by the Statutes Bevision Comraitteo with amendments. The Hon. Dr. W. E. Collins was granted one week's leave of absence on account of illness. The Hon. M. Pagan -gave notice to ask the Government if, in view of tho fact that the policy of assisting unemployment relief, and producing national wealth by means of gold production was, boing hampered by persons holding 3own large areas of mineral country : for speculative purposes, the Government would take steps to conserve the idle mineral assets of theDominion'by: (1) Causing a search to be made of the different mining registers, with a view to the preparation of plans in the principal mining districts, showing the areas held, by whom held, and the date upon which the licences were granted. (2) Make stricter provision for- annual review and- cancellation, where Labour conditions _of licences granted were not complied •with. t The Hon. C. J. Canington gave notice to move that there be laid on tho tablo ox. the Council this session a copy of the Public Service official circular issued-on October 18, 193.3, showing the recent increases in salary to certain officers under the control of the Public Service €ommissionor. Mr. Carrington also asked that there I bo laid on the table.of tho Council this] session a return showing: (1) Tho num-1 ber of persons now residing out of New Zealand who were now drawing Government superannuation allowances or pensions over £500 per annum. (2) The amount paid to each of such superannuitants or pensioners now drawing over £500 per annum. (3) The total amount which had been contributed by cacli of such superannuitants towards the amount of tho superannuation now paid to him. ' The Hon. D. Buddo asked tho Governmont whether it would make provision for speed limits for motorvehkles on streets and highways that would ensure greater safety to tho public than they at present possess, as a speed of forty miles per hour under some conditions gave little or no chance of escape to those crossing public thoroughfares, ■ ' "It is considered that the existing^ provisions of the Motor-vehicles Act, 1924, :aind'the regulations thereunder-, afford adequate safety to the public if enforced by the police and road-control-ling authorities," stated tho Leader of the Council (the Hon. Sir James Parr). "Section 28 of the Motor-vehicles Act, 1924, gives very wide power in respect of reckless or negligent driving, whilst Section 29 of the samo Act provides that "it shall be no defence in any proceedings taken under Section 28 that the motor-vehicle was not exceeding any speed limit in respect of the road or street when the alleged offence was committed. The absolute speod restriction ■of, 40 miles per hour applies to nondustless roads: only, and is ' principally for the.purpose of road protection. In moving ,the second reading of the1 Land Agents .Amendment Bill, which, seeks to limit-the amount, of commission which a land agent may charge by making-it unlawful for anyagent to 'recover a commission or fee in respect of the amount of .the. principal' or .inl terest' moneys secured or owing under any existing mortgage or mortgage' given to secure part of the purchase money over the property the subject of sale'-and purchase, tho Hon. R. MeCallum...said that the limitation, was most,desirable.