POLITICAL NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 July 1924, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

MOTOR THIEVING. SUNDAY TRADING. (By Telegraph—Special to Star.) WELLINGTON, July 18. The main features of the Police Offences Amendment Bill deal with an extension of the law relating to motor thefts and to Sunday trading. The original penalty for Sunday trading was a maximum of £l, hut the* Bill provides for a £5 maximum as the penalty for any person who, in view of a public place, works at his trade or calling, or who keeps open any place for the purpose of trading. Works of necessity are excluded, these including the transport and sale of milk and the production of newspapers, while barbers are exempt until 9 a.m. Any person who without colour of right uses a motor car or vessel under circumstances which cannot be regarded as theft within the meaning of the Crimes Act is liable to a fine of £2O, and in addition to pay a similar amount as compensation for any damage resulting from unlawful use. This does not relieve the offender of liability to civil action for the recovery of damages in excess of £2O. The Minister of Justice explained to the House that although boxing contests have been under police control wrestling contests have not been subject to supervision, and the. Bill will remedy this deficiency. : •

Mr Wilford asked if any clause deals with drivers of motor cars under the influence of liquor. The Minister replied that this would he the subject of a clause in the Motor Vehicles Bill. WILD PIG NUISANCE.

Mr Masters (Stratford) has given notice to ask the Minister for Agriculture if the Government will'renew the grant of £250 placed on last year’s estimates to encourage the destruction of wild pigs, which are causing much damage to settlers’ stock. FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. An assurance that everything is being done to prevent the introduction of foot and mouth disease from California was given in the House hy Mr Massey, in the absence of the Hon. V» T . Nosworthy, Minister for Agriculture. The question was raised by the Hon. D. Buddo, who referred to Mr Nosworthy’s previous statement that he intended to issue an Order-in-Council preventing the arrival of Californian ouions in the Dominion, and asked if steps were being taken to prevent stray hay or packing material or other produce from Californian soils coming into New Zealand. Mr Massey said that every practical farmer realised what a calamity and disaster it would he if foot and mouth disease came into the country. The Minister for Agriculture had had to stand up to applications from people unwise enough to suggest that they should he allowed to bring in substances from the soil of California. Nothing of that sort had taken place.

The Hon. D. Buddo: Everything has been prohibited? .Mr Massey: And will be prohibited till all danger is passed.