THREE MORE BILLS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 118, 15 November 1945, Page 6

THREE MORE BILLS

ALL OF MINOR NATURE

Three Bills of a minor nature were introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. A Coroners' Act Amendment measure proposed that where an inquest had been begun but not completed it should not be necessary for the coroner holding a subsequent inquest to view the body, and a Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Amendment Bill introduced adjustments required to meet difficulties arising from war conditions. One clause protects .owners of trade marks by reason of non-user during the war, and the other protects people against infringement of trade marks where the Minister in charge of the Patent Office certifies that the goods were introduced for special purposes during the war. These two Bills were read a first time. The third measure, the New Zealand Council for Educational Research Bill, provides for the incorporation and reconstitution of the council and defines its powers and functions. The Minister of Education (Mr. Mason) explained that the council had been instituted with funds supplied by the Carnegie Corporation, and had done very successful work. The corporation authorities ; felt they had done what could reasonably be expected of them, and the Bill had been introduced to give the council statutory recognition.

This measure was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Education Committee.

An amendment to the Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill was also brought down. The Acting Minister of Labour (Mr. O'Brien) explained that in neurasthenic cases application might be made to the- Compensation Court for a lump-sum payment, but that would not prevent the persons concerned from taking action at common law for further damages if necessary. The amendment also prevented anyone stopping payment of weekly compensation without permission.