IN PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 25 July 1923, Page 4

IN PARLIAMENT

WELLINGTON, July 24. The House met at 7.30 p.m.. Tho second reading of the Local Legislation Bill was debated at length to-night. The Bill sets out that a local body may acquire, exchange, lease or sell land vested in such local body, providing application is made to the Minister of Internal Affairs, who may grant the application. A local body may also borrow money without taking a poll of the ratepayers, for any purpose.’ Air Veitch opposed the Bill.

Air Holland stated that local bodies should have more power. He instanced the Runanga Borough Council having purchased horses and carts to cart coal and work on the road, but, because no statute allowed them to do this, the was prevented.

Mr O’Brien (Member for Westland), opposed a clause allowing local bodies the liberty of selling recreation or municipal reserves or of borrowing money without taking a poll of the people. Mr O’Brien stated that if a local body wanted to spend money in a good cause there would be no trouble to got the permission of the people. The Minister saidHiliat most of the members had spoken in favour of the Bill. If it wore sent to a revision committee, it would be put in order. The Bill was read the second time< The. Immigration Restriction Bill passed its second reading to-night. There was a slight amendment made, by which no subject of the King by birth may be. forced to take the oath of allegiance, but will have to sign a declaration. One or two minor amendments were also made. Mr Holland ridiculed the declarations. The only people they would keep out were conscientious people who would not take a false oath. Liars and rogues, who had no compunction about taking an oath, were under no restriction.