YESTERDAY’S PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 19724, 26 November 1927, Page 11

YESTERDAY’S PARLIAMENT

[Abridged prom Press Association.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Tho Public Service Amendment Bill was reported from the Statutes Revision Committee without amendment and pub through its final stages and passed. The Waimakariri River Improvement Amendment Bill and the Stamp Duties Amendment Bill were received from tho House and read a first time. Mr K. H. Clark asked whether, when tho Government is revising the recently-published motor regulations, it will consider the question of prohibiting tho practice of some taxi cab owners of locking their cars while occupied by their fares and thus prevent what will inevitably result in a serious accident. Sir Francis Bell replied that tho Government would consider the point. The Rent Restriction Continuance Bill was passed with amendments made by iho Labor Bills Committee and a further Government amendment protecting orders of the court made since the expiration of the old Act last August. The Council adjourned at 4.55 p.mHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Replying to Mr D. _G. Sullivan (Avon), tho Prime Minister said ho was afraid the arrangements made in connection with Mr L. S. Amery’s visit could not be so altered as to permit of that gentleman spending more than one day in Christchurch. Replying to Mr F. N. Bartrmtf (Grey Lynn) the Prime Minister said, in reference to a consignment of wire netting received from Canada by the Railways Department, that he understood this material could he made in New Zealand, and, all things being equal, he thought our people should, use the locally-manufactured article. EDUCATION RESERVES. Tho Minister of Lands (Mr A. D. M'Leod) moved the second reading of the' Education Reserves Amendment Bill, which, he said, was intended to give a better tenure to the holders of leases of education reserves, and so. it was hoped would improve settlement of Ibis class of land. There were some 2,000 persons scattered all over tho country affected by tho Bill. Those people would be given an opportunity of surrendering their present leases, and under the Bill they would receive a tenure of greater uniformity for twenty-one years with tho perpetual right of renewal at_ such rents as might be deemed equitable, with full protection at the termination of these now leaves for any improvement effected by the lessees. _ Provision was also made by whieh the proceeds from education reserves sold under special circumstances or exchanged for other lands might bo invested upon first mortgage in freehold lands or in Government or municipal securities for the benefit of the endowment when such course was deemed expedient. As tho law now stood such moneys could only be invested in tho purchase of other lands for education purposes, and suitable investments by way of such purchases wore not always immediately practicable or expedient. The Bill also contained a clause regarding the powers of trustees of high schools with respect to tho method or granting leases of lands vested in, them. These powers were considerably extended. Provision was also made by which leases offered might lie balloted for among suitable applicants. Power was given to accept surrenders of existing leases of pastoral ; land and to grant in lieu thereof iresli j leases for a term not exceeding five years. , „ , 1 Tho Bill was put through all stagey and passed. NATIVE LAND BILL. ‘I Tho Native Land Bill was through all stages and passed. S|S RAILWAYS BILL. The Prime Minister then moved the. committal of the Government Railways. Amendment Bill, which, lie said,_ made no difference in the administration bo far as transfers and promotions were concerned. The Bill followed the iccominundations of the committee set no to investigate this phase of the service. With these recommendations' Cabinet did not agree entirely, but after consideration it was thought best to give full effect to the committees suggestions. For tho future all appointments would bo provisional, and) would not be made until all chance or. appeal was removed. Regrading would? take place every live years. The Prune Minister next dealt with the constitution of the Appeal Board of seven mem-, hers, live of whom wore to be elected, i Ho stressed the point that they wanted.: a hoard that would hold the balance, fairly between the men ou the one hands; mul tlio 1 public on the other. ho : chairman, he thought, should ho a magistrate, unless there was someone els° who was satisfatcory to both parties. Ho made it clear that it was not the intention to bring outsiders into the department if there was any one in the department capable ot do-; ing tho work. He thought the Appeal lioiird would work out satisfactoulj and that railway associations were not: justified in their alarm. : Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Opposition) said ho understood there, | would bo no appeal in the case ot a, I position to which the salary attached . exceeded £705 per annu-ii, and he did not think that this would bo satisfactory. He believed tho service desired . the present chairman (a magistrate) | of the Appeal Board to remain, and he saw no reason why it should not: no Jiiid down in the Act that the chauman should be a magistrate. The Prime Minister said that was the understanding. ((T . , “ Then,” said Mr Holland, I take it if the service wants a magistrate the Prime Minister will agree?” i The Prime Minister; Yes. * Sir George Hunter (Waipawa) approved of the Bill, particularly tho , 1 housing clauses. ‘ ■| Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill) urged I that the “ plums ” of the service should ! not go to outsiders. I On the third reading of tho Bill, Sir 1 Joseph Ward congratulated the Prime I Minister on moving tho following new clause in committee, having for its object the prevention of the appointment of outsiders to the “ plums ot; the service“ No person other tha n j a. member of tho department snail he I appointed to any position _or office therein unless in tho opinion of the appointing authority no member then in tho service of tho department and available for appointing for that office is fully qualified fo rnppointment to that position or office and capable of efficiently carrying out duties thereof. ..