PARLIAMENT Busy Day In House Of Representatives

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 November 1947, Page 3

PARLIAMENT Busy Day In House Of Representatives

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 18. The House of Representatives passed today the Statute of Westminster Adoption, the New Zealand Constitution Amendment (Request and Consent), Diplomatic Privileges Extension, Coal Mines Amendment, Mining Amendment, Adult Education, Minimum Wage Amendment, Rabbit Nuisance Amendment ,and Patents, Designs, and Trademarks Bill. A The Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) before the adjournment said the House would probably sit next Monday afternoon, but. a readjustment could be made if it were found unnecessary to sit on that day. He was not sure how the calamity in Christchurch would affect the proceedings of the House.

■Several new bills were introduced in the House today. Mental Hygiene Division.—The establishment of a Division of Mental Hygiene of the Department of Health is provided for in the Health Amendment Bill. From the passing of the Bill the Mental Hospitals Department will cease to be a separate department and will be the Division of Mental Hygiene. The former title of Director-General of Mental Hospitals will be changed to that of Director of the Division of Mental Hygiene. Rehabilitaion Amendment —Power to assist widows of former servicemen is extended by a clause in the Rehabilitation Amendment Bill. The Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr C. F. Skinner) explained that there were former servicemen who had been killed after they had received their discharge from the forces, but before they had applied for rehabilitation help. Their death might hot have been caused by their service. The clause would enable help to be given to widows in such cases. The definition of the term “child” is extended by the Eill to include a step-child, an adopted child, or an illegitimate child. The personnel of the Rehabilitation Board is increased by the addition of the Commissioner of Works. Provision is also made for trade training to be granted to former servicemen who served with other British forces. Another clause states that members of Parliament are not to be disqualified because of receipt of subsidy on wages paid to trade trainees. Samoa Amendment Bill.—When the Samoa Amendment Bill was introduced the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) said the Bill embodied the principles outlined by the Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash) in a statement to the House of Representatives last August. An explanatory memorandum circulated with the Bill said it was the purpose of the Bill to implement the first of a series of progressive steps toward the eventual grant of full-government to the people of Western Samoa and to remove the existing legal disability in regard to defence measures. The bill provides for the appointment of a High Commissioner in place of the Administrator and Deputy-Administrator, establishes a Council of State (comprising the High Commissioner and the Fautua with advisory functions), abolishes the present Legislative Council and substitutes a Legislative Assembly with an absolute majority of Samoan members, and empowers the • Legislative Assembly to make ordinances for the peace, order, and good government of Western Samoa and to dispose of the revenues of the territory. Regulations made under the authority of the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Act, 1934, are validated by the Agricultural Emergency Regulations Confirmation Bill. The regulations concerned are the Apple and Pear Marketing Regulations, 1942; Amendment No. 1, the Dairy (Milk Treatment) Regulations, 1946, the Butter Marketing Regulations, 1937, Amendment No. 2, the Bobby Calf Marketing Regulations, 1947, and the Bobby Calf Marketing Regulations,, 1947, Amendment No. 1.