SESSIONAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 18336, 25 July 1923, Page 5

SESSIONAL POINTS

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.J WELLINGTON, July 24. ALIENS’ REGISTRATION. The elaborate, machinery of the Aliens* Registration Act is to be suspended if the Bill introduced in the House by the Hon. R. F. Bollard is passed. Aliens are required at present to register and to report changes of address to the Superintendent of Police in their district. These requirements are not in future to be insisted upon after the passing of the Bill, hut it is provided that the Governor in Council may revive the operation of this law by proclamation. » * # * CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. As foreshadowed, Mr J, A. Young (Hamilton) was elected Chairman of Committees by the House to-day, there being no division and scarcely any comment. The motion for his appointment was moved by Sir Georgs Hunter, who described Air Young’s lengthy experience in local body administration, also his capable chairmanship of the Native Affairs Committee of the House. Mr Hudson seconded the motion, .which was carried on the voices. Mr Massey explained that the new chairman was absent on public business, and lie returned thanks on Mr Young’s behalf, also adding his congratulations upon his attainment to this position d honor, for lie was Ha had not the slightest doubt that Mr Young would fill the position with satisfaction to the great majority of tha House. * * » * COST'OF LIVING ACT TO DIE. It was pointed out by Sir John Luka that the cost-of-living legislation provisions contained in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1921, would expire this year, and he asked the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Labor, the Government's intention regarding the matter. The Minister replied that Cabinet had considered the question, and had decided that the legislation should be allowed to expire, as it was not now necessary. # # * * PROTECTION OF OYSTER BEDS. Safeguards for oyster fisheries are included in a Bill amending the existing law dealing with fisheries, which was introduced into the House by the Hon. G. tl. Anderson, Minister of Marine. It is proposed to prohibit (he deposit on any oyster bed of stone or ballast, and any other substance likely to injure or disturb the oysters. A proposal is also made that the Governor-General may declare any tidal lands or tidal waters near a Maori pa or village to be an oyster fishery, whore Maoris only may get supplies for their own food, between November and February inclusive 'each year, Tiie control of such fishery "Would be vested in a committee of Maoris, and in Iho event of a surplus supply the oyster surplus could only he sold to the Minister to dispose of as he thought fit, the Maoris being prohibited from selling or giving Smy oysters from such fisheries to a European. Dealing with fresh water fisheries, the Bill gives officers power to stop any vehicle, or stop in transit any parcel, if ho suspects any breach of the fishery regulations, and to open and search such vehicle or package. Dumping of rubbish, refuse, or any material into any waters or riverbeds is an extension of the existing law, which prohibits the throwing in of sawdust or saw-mill refuse.

In regard to whaling licenses, it ia pro* posed to place the granting of these iu the hands of the Minister of Marine, with power to refuse the same at discretion, instead of the present practice of the Collector issuing licenses without discretion. It is also proposed that floating whaling stations cannot be used without license from the Minister, instead of from the Collector,