THE SESSION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9771, 31 July 1924, Page 5

THE SESSION

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. RENT RESTRICTION BILL, WELLINGTON, July 30. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 to-day. The Hons. J. Scott and E. Alison were granted four and two da, o' leave of absence respectively. Sir Francis Bell gave notice to introduce the Trustee Amendment Bill

Imprest Supply Bill No. 2 was put through all stages and passed. In view of the fact that the present legislation expires on Thursday the Rent Restriction Bill which was introduced from the House of Representatives was treated as a matter of urgency. Sir Francis Bell said it was desired to effect two amendments. The fiist was to prevent the possibility of the jurisdiction of the landlord in determining the capital value of a dwelling being ousted by mutual agreement between landlord and tenant. It was also proposed to add a new clause to amend the Housing Amendment Act 1921-22, so as to prevent the owner from obtaining possession on misrepresenting that he desired it for his own occupation. The clause rendered it unlawful for a landlord who obtained an order for possession to occupy, sell or make any other such contract in regard to the hoiise within six months of the agreement, unless by order of the magistrate. The Bill was put through all stages and passed. The amendments made in the Rent Restriction Bill were subsequently agreed to by the House of Representatives.

ACTS INTERPRETATION BILL The Acts Interpretation Bill was amended in one minor respect and passed.

WOOLSTON TANNERIES PETITION. Several members of the Council were appointed to a joint committee of both Houses to consider a report upon the petitions lodged last year by the Woolston Tanneries Co., Ltd. for compensation for financial loss alleged to have been due to the action of the Government in connection with tho control of the export of hides. The Council adjourned at 3.40 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NO DANGER IN MEASLES OUTBREAK. WELLINGTON, July 30. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The Minister of Health, the Hon. Sir Maui Pomare, replying to Mr P. A. de la Perelle (Awarua) stated m case of tho outbreak of measles on tho Athenic, the usual precautions were taken. There. was not a serious menace to the public of New Zealand as one would suppose. So long as measles were looked after properly it was not such a serious disease as smallpox or as the Spanish type of influenza which we had some time ago. Every precaution was being taken to safeguard the public health.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCES. With regard to school attendances the Minister of Education (Hon. O. J Parr) informed Mr Mcllvnde (Napier) there was some misapprehension about school attendances. It was not tho case that the Department had issued a regulation requiring children to go to school every afternoon. The Act of 1877 required a minimum attendance at primary schools of two hours in the forenoon and two in the afternoon, that was any time aftor 12 o’clock. The Department must see that the Act lias observed. The requirement of the Act was that schools should bo open 400 half-days in the year.—P.A.