HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Evening Star, Issue 19002, 25 July 1925, Page 12

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

;i The Speaker reported that, accompanied by several members, ho had .waited on His Excellency the GovernorGeneral and presented to him a reply ; to his Speech, and that His Excellency '-bad made suitable acknowledgment. The following Bills were introduced land read a first time:—Mutual Fire Amendment Bill (the Hon. ’Sir R. Heaton Rhodes); Life Insurance 'Amendment Bill (the Hon. Sir R. Hea,ton Rhodes); Apprentices Amendment Jllill (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) lar initiative and Referendum Bill (Mr J. M'Combs); Rotorua Borough 2- -londment Bill (the Hon. R. F. Bolls )) ; Counties Amendment Bill (the ,1. ii. R. F. Bollard). _ i la introducing his Bill, Mr M'Combs said the Referendum Bill was a step in the direction of freedom, and was calculated to educate people on political subjects, just as the licensing poll had educated them on the liquor question, about which they probably knew more than, on any other public issue. Mr D. G. Sullivan said that although there wns but little hope of getting the It’ll on to the Statute Book this session, it was widely adopted in the Scales of America. In some cases proposals were carried on a smalt vote. If the system were adopted here, lie thought before a vote could bo valid a certain percentage ol possible votes should be recorded.

Mr T. M. Wilford .gave notice of his intention to introduce an Agricultural Bank Bill. The lion. W. Xoswovthy tabled tho report of the Tourist Department, wnich provoked a lengthy discussion, during which members took advantage of tho opportunity to “ boost ” tho scenic advantages "of their respective districts.

In the evening, the House having resolved itself inter Committee of Supply, the Hon. W. Xoswortliy (Minister of Finance) proceeded to deliver his Budget Statement. The galleries were not so fully occupied as is usual on such'occasions. The delivery of tho Budget occupied one hour and thirtyseven minutes, and at its conclusion progress was reported, and the House adjourned at 9.17 p.xn. till 2.30 on Tuesday. ___________