THE SESSION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10412, 20 October 1927, Page 5

THE SESSION

AIARRIAGE OF “INFANTS”

AUTHORITY FOR MAGISTRATES

WELLINGTON, Oet. 19

In moving the second reading of tlie Guardianship of Infants Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-day. the Hon. AD Rolleston said the Bill was designed to confer on magistrates the ])owor to give consent to the marriage of “infants”. He explained that it was intended to do this* in last year’s amending Bill, but thy intentions of the Legislature sh tin’s respect were defeated by the previous clause which restricted thy jurisdiction of the magistrates with regard to applications under tho Act, to cases whom children wore under sixteen yer-rs of age. The Bill was read a. second time without discussion.

EXCLUDING' NOXIOUS PLANTS

On .behalf uf the Alinister for Agriculture. the Hon. A. -D. AloLeod moved the second reading of the Introduction of Plants Bill which, the Minister explained, nas intended to control the introduction into the Dominion of new plants. Alany pcople were bringing in plants that were an absolute danger to the country and this must be stopped. AD Field said it was. a pity the Bill was not brought in twenty years ago. as there were many' noxious weeds which might have been stopped.

The Bill was read a second time and referred to tlie Agricultural Committee. * ..

BANKRUPTCY LAW

The House then went into committee on the Bankruptcy Amendment Bill, which was reported with, minor amendments made by the Statutes Revision Committee. MAGISTRATE’S COURT BILL Tlie Magistrate’s! Court Amendment Bill was reported with minor amendments.—P.A. PUBLIC SERVICE SUPERANNUATION. The Public Service Superannuation Bill was considered in committee. Mr Sullivan asked the Minister ii lie were prepared to do anything in the way of providing superannuation for nurses. The Hon. AY. NoswortFiy said he had not forgotten it. Mr Savage urged that the widow of a superannuate should have a moro liberal allowance than £lB per annum. It would, of course, mean a more costly scheme, but it should be done. Moreover, the whole scheme required a careful overhaul. Mr Sidey said there were, other cases equally deserving of consideration. Would there bo further legislation brought down this session ? The Hon. W. Nosworthy said no further legislation would he brought down this session, but a committee would be set up to go into the various matters, and he hoped to introduce a Bill on the subject next session. '•• • , , The Bill was subsequently reported without amendment. The Bills reported were then read a third time and passed.

INSPECTION OF MACHINERY

The Minister of Labor moved the third reading of tin? Inspection ol Machinery Bill, which was agreed to after a brief , debate, and the Bill was passed.—P.A.