POINTS OF PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 15915, 22 September 1915, Page 3

POINTS OF PARLIAMENT

MINOR BILLS CONSIDERED. [By Our Own Reporter.] . WELLINGTON, September 22. Tlie House of Representatives spent yesterday afternoon discussing petitions and reports of committees, and did, not, therefore, make any progress as regards legislation. The evening session was devoted to minor policy Bills, which were discussed in the committee .'stage. The Savings Banks Amendment Bill (Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward) and the Fruit-preserving Industry Amendment Bill (Hon. Mr Mac Donald) wero put through committee without discussion? SCENERY PRESERVATION. The Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill (Right Hon. Mr Massey), which provides for prospecting on certain scenic reserves, and makes it an offence to carry firearms on reserves, this provision being for the protection of birds, wa6 considered next, and provoked a, discussion. Mr Witty suggested that, in view of the absence of Mr Ell, who took a keen interest in scenery preservation, consideration of the Bill should be deferred.—The Prime Minister explained that Mr Ell had no objection to the measure.—Mr Colvin said that the Bill was very necessary, and hojied the Prime Minister would go on with it. If the member for Christ-church South was so keenly interested in the subject he shoiikl have been in his place in the House. (Hear, hear.) _ In the course of the subsequent discussion the object of the Bill was supported, although, the provision as to carrying firearms was. challenged by Mr M'Callum, who considered that il introduced objectionable game laws to this country. Other members urged the necessity for protecting native birds, and supported the clause.-—The Bill was committed, and later in the sitting was put through committee and read a" third time. SWAMP DRAINAGE. Tho Swamp Drainage Bill (Right Hon. Mr Massey) was put through committee after a brief discussion on the general question of reclaiming swamps, and passed its final stages. NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND. The National Provident Fund Amendment Bill (Hon. Mr Myers) evoked some discussion in committee similar to what was heard on the second reading the previous night,.—Mr A. Haixis moved a new clause that no pension shall be paid any commission fop enrolling new members unless permanently in the employ of the fund. This, after some discussion, was withdrawn.—The Prime .Minister said he was quite prepared to accept the str'gestion that a conference be held between representatives of friendly societies and the Government- Fund. The Bill was put- through committee without r amendment, read a third time, and passed. WAR FUNDS. The War Funds Bill, providing for some form of State supervision of funds raised f>>r patriotic purposes, was also discussed in committee and reported, with several machinery amendments moved by the Minister in charge (the Hon. A. L. Herdman). The third reading was affiimed. LOCAL RAILWAYS.

In moving the second reading of the Local Railways Act-Amendment Bill (Hon. W. Fraser), which amende the Act of last year in the of authorising the construction "of a railway extending beyond the limits of the district (in which a railway is built by a local body) for such distance as may be necessary for the purpose of effecting a connection with a Government railway, the Minister explained that the Bill did not give power to include in a rating area any people whom it was not intended to rate—that was to say, no people outside a proclaimed area would be included in the "rating district. One- petition for authority to build a local railway had been received, and would he dealt with after th« close of the session. The Bill last year had really been introduced to meet the demands of the people of Taranaki, but so far nothing had been done by that district. The Bill was read a second time. MILITARY MANOEUVRES. The Military Maureuvres Bill (Hon. J. Allen) was also dealt with. The Minister explained that it provided for the DefeucoDepartment using laud for military manoeuvres. _ It- was in according with Imperial legislation, and was very necessary. The Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Lands Committee. LAND SETTLEMENT FOR SOLDIERS. A Bill providing for the settlement of discharged soldiers on Crown and land for settlement lands was introduced bv Governor's Message at 11 o'clock. ft was read a first time and refened to the Lands Committee. The House adjourned at 11.1 p.m. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. A quarter of an hour sufficed to clear the Ordw Paper. On behalf of the Victoria College Council, the Hon. Mr Aitken presented a petition praying that no legislation be passed which would interfere with the council's rights. Imprest- Supply Biii. No. 4 (for £953.500), was passed through all stages. The Births and Deaths Registration Bill, as amended by the House, was referred to the Statutes Revision Committee for consideration of amendments.