MEW BILLS BEFORE THE HOUSE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5533, 15 July 1920, Page 5

MEW BILLS BEFORE THE HOUSE.

VALUATION OF GOODS FOR DUTY

WELLINGTON July IT The Customs. Amendment Bill, introduced by message in the House today, makes provision for the legal enactment of the decision of Cabinet m regard to the valuation of goods tor duty in relation to exchange rates. The decision of Cabinet is already being acted upon, and it lias been explained that the purpose of the Bill is to afford importers of goods front foreif,n countries relief from hardship due to"the varying commercial rates of exchange as distinguished from the mintage rates The Bill makes it. possible for the Minister to decree that importers shall have their duty assessed on the method which is most advantageous to them.

INCREASED SUBSIDY FOR NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE.

Lor many wars the New' Zealand Institute. the only official body which has to do with science in Now Zealand, lias been begging from the Government, an addition to their annual subsidy for the publication of their “Transactions on scientific subjects and for the encouragemen.t of researches A Bdl has been introduced into the House under the care of the Minister of Internal Affairs for the increase of the annual subsidy to the institute from £SOO to £looo.' TTT.C LICENSING OF MASSEURS.

Since massage has been accepted as a recognised and useful aid in the medical treatment of certain ailments the oTOv.-th of the number >1 persons practising • the science Vis been great. There is at present no definition of the ciuolificntions for the people who wish to practise and, of course, the road is open wide to charlatans There has been introduced info the House a Bill to make provision for the registration of Masseurs and Masseuses called the Masseurs Registration Bill. Ihe Bill makes other provisions following upon a scheme of registration, qualifications for registration and penalties tor breaches of the Act, such as that. <>f practising without a license. Iwo rears are allowed practising masseurs within which to register and after that, the penalties, which provide for fines tin to £2O. are to be operative After the expirv of two years none but a registered masseur or masseuse is to be employed for massage, treatment m any public hospital. new local body measures.

Two important local > government Bills have been produced tins sess on by the Government—The Municipal Corporations Bill and the Counties Bill. It happens that for the present the Bills are purely consolidating measures setting out in collected form the existing legislation. It is probable tha,. during the session the Government will introduce amendments to botli !Bilik and these amendments will be before members of the House in the cleaner shape, becau-o of their having already a codification of existing law to hand It is probable- that, a special committee will be set up to consider any amendments proposed by the Government-Special-