PARLIAMENT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 September 1924, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

CONTROL OF WIRELESS

POLICE OFFENCES BILL

LAND BILL PASSED,

(BT TELEGRAPH —PB.F.BS ABBOCIALION.i mi „ WELLINGTON, Sept. 9 3; 9 Qn llolls6^ Representatives met Bt- 2.30 p.m. to-day. An amendment made in the Masseurs Registration Amendment Bill by the Legislative Council was on the approved*/ H °"’ S " *■'

L £ ncl Bill was, on the motion of the Ron. A. ]>. McLeod, read a third time and passed. The Local Bodies Loans Amendment Bill was, on the motion of the Prime piS er> read a third time and

The Postmaster-General (Hon. J. G. moved the second reading of the Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill which, he said, was the result of conferences between listeners-in and broadcasters on the subject of listen-mg-m, both of whom were agreed that the existing arrangements were most unsaitisfactorv.

Not one broadcasting station in p ew Zealand-to-day could give a eatislactory programme, he said, and it had occurred to those interested and to himself that if they could amalgamate the different interests they nught develop broadcasting in New Zealand in a wav not hitherto dreamed of. It was proposed to have a board of control in conformity with the agreement arrived at between the parties and the Minister. The amount ot the deaJers’ fee had not vet been defimtely settled, but something like ±-10 had been mentioned. Other clauses of the Bill were of as machinery nature and were necessary for the better working of the Post and Telegraph Departments. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) said he wanted to put in a plea for the one valve man, the small man. Who could say but that some day. we would discover among our /young amateurs some genius who would work wonders in wireless We had reared- Sir Ernest Rutherford, the first in his line in science in his world to-day, and we might just as easily provide a wonder in wireless out of our young men, who were now indulging in wifeless as a pastime. Only this week a young amateur in New Zealand had talked with another amateur in California. That was a. wonderful feat to-day, but it would soon be quite commonplace. We must encourage our young men by making the conditions for them as reasonable as possible.

Mr. Coates, in reply, said the one valve man could practically get his outfit for £2 and the annual license fee would be about 255. He agreed that young men should be encouraged. The Bill was read a second time. The Hon. C. ,T. Parr moved the second reading of the Police Offences Amendment Bill, which would be revised by the statutes revision committee.

He explained that the law in regard to insulting behaviour in a piTblic place iis to he enlarged to include shops, as well as streets, etc. Pines of £5 are provided for Sunday trad T ing. The definition of a “public plaice’’- was extended to “any place used by the public.” The scope of section 51 of the principal Act had been extended to give power to deai with rogues and vagabonds found “in or on any building, or in any enclosed yard, garden or area, .or in or on board ship, launch, dredge, yacht, boat or other vessel.” Extended powers were provided in regard to the power to search for pillaged goods, it being estimated that at present the annual loss to the shipping companies trading in New Zealand was £25,000. There was a clause providing that naval ratings arrested for drunkenness .may be delivered to their ships without further authority than that of am officer of the police .station to which they had been taken. The penalty for obtaining credit by fraud to an amount not exceeding £SO is three months’ imprisonment or a fine of £2O. Wrestling contests as well as boxing contests are to be subjected to police supervision. The penalties for taking motor cars belonging to other persons without intent to commit theft, that is, for the purpose of joy-riding, are the subject of more stringent provisions in the amending measure. The existing law provides for a fine not exceeding £lO or imprisonment not exceeding two months. The Legislative Council originated jin amendment last session raising the fine to £SO and the term of imprisonment to three mouths. In the present Bill the fine is fixed at £2O or the maximum term of -ini- 1 prisonment of three month's.

The Bill was read a third time and passed.

The Hon. J. G. Coates moved the second reading of the Government Railways Amendment Bill, explaining that the most interesting feature of the Bill was a proposal to make the classification of railway servants by regulation instead of by Act of Parliament as at present. The existing system was cumbersome and not sufficiently elastic. As arrangements were made between the men and the Minister they could not be given effect to until Parliament again met, and moreover he did not know of an instance where Parliament had altered the schedule when it was submitted to its members. He denied that the change was contemplated for purposes of working reductions'in salary. Mr. W. A. Yeitch (Wanganui) put in a plea for better working conditions for way a.nd works men. They were now compelled to work 48 hours a week and often had to travel long distances to their work. He considered they .should be paid for travelling one way as recommended by the minority report of the recent railway commission. Shunters were also badly paid. Their work was dangerous and arduous, and the conditions called for immediate reform. He deprecated two sets of employees on the railways having different sets of working hours as now existed. This did not make for harmony or uniformity. Mr. S. G. Smith (Taranaki) contended that casual workers in the railway service should receive a. higher rate of pay because they received no superannuation. The Bill now before the House was designed to place the men and their salaries absolutely ip the power of the Minister, and to this he would not consent, as it was calculated to create greater discontent in the service than at present prevails. The Bill was read a second time and referred to the Railway Committee. WORK O'F THE SESSION.

The Premier, in the course of a reply to Mr. "Wilford, said he would

make a statement as to the (work which, he hoped to complete this session in the course of a few days, but he did not anticipate that the business would keep the House much beyond the end of next month. The House rose at 11.30 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The Police Force Amendment Bill and the Births and Deaths Registration Bill were reported from the statutes revision committee, the first without amendment and the Deaths Registration Bill with a minor amendment. In moving the second reading of the Prevention of Crime and Borstal Institutions Establishment : Bill, . Sir Francis Bell said he proposed to ascertain from the Department of Justice whether it was considered essential that a sentence of detention should be passed upon young offenders. He would suggest that detention should be by order instead of by sentence in order to remove .the stigma east upon an offender. The Bill was read a. second time. The Tax Amendment Bill was put through its final stages and passed. The Council adjourned at 3.30 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.