BILLS IN PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 November 1931, Page 7

BILLS IN PARLIAMENT

BROADCASTING CONTROL STATE TRANSFER APPROVED [PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] * WELLINGTON, November 5. The House of Representatives met at 7.30 p.m. Mr Tau Henare was granted three days’ leave of absence on account of illness. The New Lynn Sewerage Validation Bill (Mr Mason) was introduced and read a first time. The following bills were reported from the Land Committee: Land Laws Amendment, Education Reserves Amendment (both ■ without amendment)), Reserves and other Lands Disposal (with amendments).

The Local Legislation Bill was reported from the Local Bills Committee, with amendments. The Chattels Transfer Amendment Bill was reported from statutes,, revision committee , with amendments.

Leave was given to withdraw the Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill (Mr Mason). The House agreed to amendments made by the Legislative Council to Native. Purposes Bill Law. The Practitioners Bill was received from the Council, and read a first time. It was then read a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.

The Leader of the Opposition urged Mr Forbes to state the exact date on which the election would be held. Mr Forbes said it was impossible to do so until it was known exactly when the end of the session would be reached. The Finance Bill and the Mortgagors’ Relief Bill had yet to be introduced. He thought the session might very well end early next week. The Scientific and Industrial Research Amendment Bill, which provides for the setting up of a Development of Industries Board, was introduced by Governor-General’s message and read a first time. Amendments to the Local Legislation Bill and Reserves and other Lands Disposal (Washing tip) Bill, were introduced by the Governor-General’s message.

The House went into committee on the Broadcasting Bill. Replying to references to B. stations, Mr Hamilton said the Board to be set up would be able t.o enter into negotiations with them, and deal with them fairly. The policy relating to B. stations would be established after the Board had been set up. It might be better to make arrangements with these stations and bring them up to a certain standard, so they would be able to carry on with the assistance of the Board. His information was that there were about 36 B. stations in New Zealand, and perhaps 12 would be enough to be assisted, but he did not know. If a standard were set, 12 of that number might ’«> sufficient to provide efficient service. .

The Bill was put through committee, with the amendments previously introduced by the Governor-General’s message, read a third time and passed. Mr Coates moving the second reading of the Transport Licensing Bill (No. 2) said he had explained on its introduction, directions in which it differed from the earlier measure. The bill was read a second time, and the committee stage was commenced forthwith. Discussion of matters of interest to local bodies in different parts of the Dominion occupied the attention of the committee for some time.

The bill was put through committee without amendment, read a third time and passed. The House rose at 11.55 p.m.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL * WELLINGTON, November 5. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. - The Native Purposes Bill was reported from the Native Affairs Committee, with amendments, and put through all stages and passed. The Customs Amendment Bill was received from the House. Sir J. Carr moved the second reading, his remarks being on the same lines as those of Mr. Stewart in the House. Mr. Mclntyre expressed surprise that a primage duty, or import duty had not been placed on Australian coal.

He said that the coal industry in New Zealand was dying, and the least the Government could do was to place a duty on Australian coal, equal to the difference in exchange rate. Mr. Isitt said, an extraordinary thing was that the Government had not increased the license fee paid by the bigger hotels from £4O per annum.

Mr. McCallum said the time was inopportune for placing further burden on hotel-keepers who were experiencing very lean times. The Bill was read a second time, and put through the remaining stages and passed. The Council rose at 3 p.m. until to-morrow.

BROADCASTING CO’S. STATEMENT CHRISTCHURCH, November 6. Mr William Goodfellow, Chairman of Directors of the Radio Broadcasting Company Limited, interviewed, said: The passing of .the Broadcasting Bill by Parliament, meant that as from January 1 next, the Government would take over the ownership of the Broadcasting service and the Radio Broadcasting Company would automatically go out of existence o:i December 31. This decision for the State to take over the service and operate it under control of the Board, was essentially a matter of Government policy. Now that finality had been reached, he, on behalf of the directors had no hesitation in assuring listeners that the company would use its best efforts to ensure that the highest standard of efficiency would bo maintained until the. end of the license period, and that the service would then be handed over to the Government in first class and thoroughly efficient condition. The statement proceeds to urge the Government in taking over, to gi/e facilities to the country districts.