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Greymouth Evening Star, 19 July 1946, Page 9

DOWN TO BUSINESS

THREE BILLS INTRODUCED IN HOUSE PROGRAMME UNDER WAY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 19. The introduction of three Bills following question time in the House of Representatives this morning indicated that the legislative programme is now well under way. Mr. T. Clifton Webb (Oppn., Kaipara), gave notice to ask the Minister of Justice if any fines imposed on a bookmaker during the last year or two had been remitted or reduced, and, if so, on what grounds? Stock Remedies. The reregistration of stock remedies is postponed until September 30 1947, by the Stock Remedies Amendment Bill. Under the principal act all registered stock remedies require to be reregistered every three years. Reregistration was suspended by an emergency regulation as a war pleasure and by the removal of the suspension last November reregistration was revived. The Minister of Lands, Mr. Skinner, explaining the Bill said the purpose in postponing reregistration was to enable the Stock Remedies Registration Board to take advantage of the additional powers in the bill when dealing with applications next year. The bill makes it an offence to sell registered stock remedy, the composition of which differs materially from the composition deposited with the board at the time of application for registration. The bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Pastoral and Agricultural Committee.

Trustee Law.

Designed to bring the law in NewZealand in relation to trustees into line with the corresponding law in England, the Trustee Amendment Bill was introduced and read a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee Revision Committee.

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Mason, said the bill was necessary as a result of what had been done last year concerning intestate estates in an amendment to the Administration Act. The bill was a technical measure of interest mainly to members of the Statutes Revision Committee. The Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser: Does it make inheritance more secure? Mr. Mason: Yes, defintiely. Mr. J. T. Watts (Oppn., Riccarton): Does it give greater powers of advancement to trustees? Mr. Mason: Yes. Justices of Peace.

The general right of appeal from the decisions of justices of the peace is given by the Justices of the Peace Amendment Bill, which was introduced and read a second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. As the law stands at present, the right of appeal exists only in cases where the penalty exceeds £5 or the term of imprisonment exceeds one month.

Mr. Mason, explaining the bill said that one often read of an application for an increase in the penalty to enable an appeal to be made. It was thought that the right of appeal should exist in every case. It might not be the actual penalty but the result of the conviction that might have far more serious consequences. The bill would also enable justices to refer points of law'to a higher court. The bill simplified procedure. Ministerial Replies Ministerial replies to questions were then circulated for discussion. Mr. Fraser, answering a question by Mr. R. IVI. Algie (Oppn., Remuera) said the appointment of Mr. Anderson Tyrer as organiser of the proposed national symphony orchestra was made because he was eminently qualified for the task. In view of the desirability of organising the orchestra as rapidly as possible, it was felt that the time required to advertise and deal with applications would cause unjustified delay. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, answering Mr. T. L. MacDonald (Oppn., Mataura) said it was hoped to have the Milford track open for the coming tourist season, preliminary work having started some time ago.

Imports of Cement

The Acting-Minister of Customs, Mr. Nordmeyer, answering Mr. W. Sullivan (Oppn., Bay of Plenty) said that within the last few months more than 3000 tons of cement had been imported from Australia on Government order. In addition to the supplies required by the Public Works Department, supplies haR been distributed through the building controller to almost 20 firms throughout New Zealand. The cost of the cement landed at Auckland had varied between £B/10/8 and £B/19/- per ton. Mr. Nordmeyer answering Mr. R. M. Algie (Oppn., Remuera) said the Health Department had advised midwives that no dusting powder should be used on a baby for any purpose, unless it was known to have been sterilised. There was no statutory duty at present on manufacturers to sterilise such powders, but consideration was being given to the making of regulations requiring the sterilising of dusting powders or their ingredients.