PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 24004, 1 October 1941, Page 11

PARLIAMENT

A MIXED BILL OF FARE SUMMERTIME EXTENSION SUGGESTED QUERY OH SHODDY SHOES (P.A.) WELLINGTON 1 , Sept. 30. The suggestion that, summertime should be extended to an hour daily as an economy measure for at least tho duration of the war was made by Mr M'Koon in notice of a question to the Prime Minister when the House met at 2.30 to-day. Mr M'Kccu asked if tho Prime Minister would consider the suggested extension before the conclusion of the session, and he mentioned that many industries would benefit materially by such extension, which was also favoured by the power boards. Mr Broadfoot, in notice of question to tho Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Sullivan, asked if he had seen the statement of Mr G. Shields, secretary of the Dominion Federation of Boot Trade Associations, in which he alleged that thousands of pairs of shoddy shoes were actually being manufactured in New Zealand every week. Mr Broadfoot further asked why the Minister allowed licenses under the Industrial Efficiency Act to bo granted to manufacturers to enable such shoos to be made, and whether tho Minister would see if those licenses were refused in future.

In notice of a question to the Prime Minister, Mr Broadfoot inquired whether the commercial broadcasting stations accepted advertising for Sunday programmes. Ho said that on several recent Sundays a song had been given from the Wellington commercial station from a picture to be shown next week. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, said it was entirely against instructions if this had been done, and he added that there was no radio advertising on Sundays. A petition asking that the liquor laws of New Zealand bo strictly enforced was presented by the Leader of tho Opposition, Mr Holland, on behalf of Annie M. Sired and 33,292 others.

BASTION POINT BURIAL GROUND. The Reserves And Other Lands Disposal Bill, which is one of the wash-ing-up measures, was introduced by Governor’s Message, andl referred to the Lands Committee. The Bill principally comprises local clauses, but one of general interest establishes a private burial ground and memorial park at Bastion Point, Auckland, for the late Prime Minister, Mr Savage. The clause proposes the revocation of the reservation of the residue of the land for defence purposes, and stipulates that the area shall be known as the M. J. Savage Memorial Park. STATUTES AMENDMENT BILL. The appointment of women as members of the Legislative Council is authorised by a clause in the Statutes Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House to-night. A wide variety of subjects is covered. Power to regulate the employment of children is extended. The clause gives the GovernorGeneral power to make regulations governing the employment of children, their attendance at places of public entertainment, and associated subjects. -The appointment of Commissioners'of the Nativo Land Court, Cook Islands, is provided for in another clause. Their jurisdiction is to be limited by Order in Council. • Two clauses relate to education. The more important sets out the procedure for payment by education boards of salaries and allowances of teachers, and validates arrangements of long standing. Electric power hoards are concerned with six clauses in tho Bill. Ouo authorises local authorities to pay for load surveys made. Power boards are also empowered to place money on deposit and insure members against personal accident.

Wider authority for fores t_ officers to requisition aid in extinguishing fires is provided in another part of the Bill. The gross amount for which friendly societies may enter into contracts for assurance with any person is raised from £3OO to £SOO. Provision for tho effective isolation of people likely to spread infectious disease is made in the Bill. There is authority to order such a person to hospital. ** The appointment of a transport appeal authority for the purposes of the Transport Licensing Act, 1931, is also provided for, and people who may bo financially interested in industry or employed in it are not to be appointed to the post. Tho sitting closed with the debate for the committal of the Doctors’ Bill, reported elsewhere.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 30. The second reading debate of the Standards Bill was disposed of by the Legislative Council, which met at 2.30 to-day. Support for the principles of standardisation was expressed by all the speakers. The Leader of the Council. Hon. D. Wilson, said that standardisation would eliminate waste in time, money, and materials. It would stabilise quality and prices and would improve the standard of living. Hon. J Cotter said there was great need for standardisation of dairy and farm implements. Much time was lost because spare parts were not readily available, but if all machines were of similar make that difficulty would be removed. The farmers bad to produce up to a standard, and had the right to purchase standard goods. Hon. V. A. Ward asked if standards would help to eliminate advertising and the sale of useless patent medicines. Mr Wilson, in reply, said they could not prove that patient medicines would cure, but they could sec that the ingredients were up to standard. The whole question of patent medicines was under consideration. The Bill was read a second time, and the Auckland Centennial _ Memorial Park Bill was read a first time. The Council adjourned at 4.40 p.m.