THE HOUSE

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6204, 8 October 1921, Page 5

THE HOUSE

PROTECTION OF ANIMALS BILL

MR LYSNAR WOULD ENCOURAGE game-raising.

WELLINGTON, Oct. .7 The Hon. Downie Stewart moved the second reading of the Animals Protection and Game Bill, which lie said, was largely a compilation from the existing law, supplemented by suggestions derived from acclimatisation societies and from the experience of tlie Department. The Bill would, not go through committee for some time, as it was _ desired to obtain further suggestions from acclimatisation societies. Mr Sidey criticised <he Bill as being another instance of legislation by regulation. Mr Malcolm urged that the right to trap opossums should not confer tlie right to trespass on private property, and that no one should he compelled to secure a been so to trap on his own land., Mr Hockley questioned the wisdom of protecting opossums, as they .might prive as great a pest as rabbits had proved. Greater power should be given local bodies to deal with them if they became a nuisance. Mr Seddon appealed to the Minister to deal sympathetically with small acclimatisation societies, for, though many of these -bodies could not show handsome balance sheets they were nevertheless doing excellent work. Mr J. H. Hamilton contended that local bodies, mot acclimatisation societies, should be given power to control opossums. The former represented the settlers; the latter only sportsmen. Mr Lysnar thought greater encouragement should be given private people to raise game, as was done with such success in other countries. A drastic penalty for the destruction of privately-raised game should be inserted in the Bill. Mr Malcolm deprecated the introduction of the bad game laws of England’ into New Zealand. We wanted nothing of the sort here. Mr Downie Stewart, .replying, said that .he proposed to await the receipt of criticism by acclimatisation societies on the Bill before going on with the committee stage. The Bill was read a second time on the voices.

MAINTENANCE ORDERS

FACILITIES FOR ENFORCEMENT.

The Hon. Mr Lee moved the second reading of the Maintenance Orders (Facilities, for Enforcement) Bill, which brought New Zealand into line with Imperial legislation, making orders issued in other parts of the Empire for the maintenance of dependants enforceable in the Dominion and vice • versa. Power is given to attach an Interest in a life insurance policy for. the benefit of a wife and children of a defaulting hsubapd, against whom an order is made. Mr Witty welcomed the Bill as affording fuller justice to women and children who had been deserted Mr Holland pointed out that the wife and children of a deserter required. just the same sustenance as the widow or orphans of an epidemic victim for instance. This was a matter the Government should provide for. The Government, too, should pursue a derserter and make him provide for his dependants. Deserters imprisoned should be usefully employed and the value of their work credited to them, the Government then applying the ■money earned to the. support of dependants. Mr Isitt advocated that' wife deserters should he pursued, arrested and placed in stockades, where they should he forced to work and, if they would not work, they should be put on bread and" water until they did. Messrs Lysnar and Bartram supported the measure, but the latter urged care in interfering with life insurance policies. The Minister replied and the Bill was read a second time and referred to the statutes revision committee.

BANKING LAW

FIXING OF HOURS

The Hon. D. Stewart moved the second reading of the Banking Amendment Bill, fixing the hours of opening and closing of banks for business and the second, reading was carried.

ANZAC DAY.

BILL TO MAKE DAY LIKE A SUNDAY. The Hon. D. Stewart moved the second reading of the Anzac Day Amendment Bill, providing that the day he observed in all respects as a Sunday. He explained that partial observance, as in the past, was not satisfactory and returned (soldiers’ wishes were now. being given effect to. The Bill was read a second time and referred to the. Defence committee. The House then rose till Tuesday. —P.A.