YESTERDAY'S PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 17483, 14 October 1920, Page 9

YESTERDAY'S PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Civil List Bill was put through committee and passed. In moving the second reading of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Loan Bill, Sir Francis Bell said it was necessary to get through the measure as soon as possible, as money was pouring in.—The Bill was put through all its stages without discussion. Sir Francis Bell moved the second reading of the Offenders’ Probation Bill, which, he explained, extended the benefit ox -probation to all offenders instead of only to first offenders. Whether probation was granted was to be left to the discretion' of the Court.—Tho, Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Leader of the Council next moved the second reading of the West-port Harbor Bill, which, provides for the Government to takes control of the harbor. The harbor, he said, was far too important form all points of view to be allowed to fall into disrepair.—Tho Bill was read a second time without discussion, put through committee, and passed without amendment. The following local Bills were passed without amendment: —The Dunedin City Corporation Empowering, the Auckland Harbor Board Empowering, the Christchurch. District Drainage Amendment, the Wanganui River Trust Amendment, tbe Thames Harbor Board Loan and Empowering Bills.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The Minister of Education made s statement outlining the increases proposed in teachers’ salaries) and published elsewhere. The proposals, he stated, had been approved by Cabinet and by the Educational Institute. The increases proposed had been forwarded to the education boards, wMch would undertake thSir distribution.

The Law Drafting Bill was introduced; by Governor-General’s Message.—lt proposes to make law draftsmen officers of the House, thus giving them a better status. The Counties Bill was reported from committee, with a recommendation that it be allowed to proceed with amendments. The Hon. G. J. Anderson moved the second reading of the Animals’ Protection Amendment Bill. He explained that the Bill had been njjsunderstood in some quarters, tho impression having gained ground that the measure proposed to protect opossums, whereas it proposed to make them a marketable commodity, these animals having become too numerous and very destructive in certain districts. The destruction of opossums and tho export of their skins would be carried on under license and regulation. Amendments to the main Act had been suggested, but there was no time to do it tMs session. During the recess the Act would be consolidated, when tho suggested amendments would be included.—The Bill was supported by Messrs Malcolm, Field, Witty, and Edie, while Messrs Atmore and Hockley were not altogether satisfied that it was wise to give opossums any measure of protection.—The Bill was read a second time, passed through committee unamended, and was put through its final stages. The Hon. E. P. Lee moved the second reading of the Companies Act Amendment Bill, which lie said, proposed to make two amendments in the existing law ; (1) Extending the powers of dairy companies to take shares in associated industries _ without altering their articles of association; (2) enabling companies to reorganise their share capital by special resolution, _ and modifying the conditions contained in tho memorandum of associa-tjOH-rrMr Young contended that no one should he allowed to trade as a “limited ” company when they were not even a recompany.—The Minister, in re- , said there were no objections to this ng done, because it did not detrimentally affect anyone.—The Bill was read a second time, committed, and passed its remaining stages.