PARLIAMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 27 September 1928, Page 10

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. VARIOUS MATTERS ‘DISCUSSED. ■Hv T<*l"frraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 26. . The Canterbury College and Canterbury Agricultural College Amendment Bill, the Lands “Washing Up” Bill, and the Local Bodies’ “Washing Up” Bill were introduced l>y GovernorGeneral’s' message in the House of Representatives to-night and read a first time. Discussing the Canterbury College Bill, Mr. E. J. Howard said it was most improper that such a Bill should be. promoted at this- late hour of the session. The local bodies had all the year in which, to prepare measures of\ this kind, and they deserved a tap over the knuckles for delaying their legislation in this way. The measure made important changes in the system of leasing the- college lands, and he wondered why the Bill now adopted a plank in the Labour Party’s “usehold” policy. When the Reform; Party adopted a. plank in the Labour Party’s platform he suspected there was a nigger in the wood pile, and he would like to know where that- nigger was. Mr. P. Fraser said the House had laid clown the important principle with regard to local legislation that the local member should be first consulted, and if not the legislation should be thrown out. He would like to see the rule. observed. The Hon. A. D. McLeod said the Bill was no surprise;. The matter had cropped up last year and lie had discussed 't with Air Howard months ago. It had no rslation to the local legislation referred to by Mr Fraser. The Hon. R. A. Wright said the Canterbury College 'Board was dm no wav to blame for the late introduction of the measure. They had their Bill in quite early, hut there was a- little delay over one. of the clauses which the Government could not accept, lie person ally did not want the Bill. He had been pestered by this Hon. P. Bucklo to bring it in, but if the Canterbury members were opposed to it it could b.i thrown out. The Minister of Lands remarked tha i the people farming the land in' question were entitled to the advantage of thu proposed change in arranging the leases. The report of the committee on the Church of England Empowering Bill, on the motion of Mr W. J. Girling, was adopted. Replying to Mr T. M. Wilford, the Hon. R. A. Wright said lie was in sympathy with the proposal that the widow of a superannuant should receive half the amount- of the superannuation formerly pgicl to the husband, but nothing definite could be done Until the actuarial report for which he had asked had been received. He therefore did not think that legislation on the subject oo"ld be introduced this session.

The Companies Amendment Bill (the Hon. F. J. Rolleston) and the. Pa.pa.nui Memorial Hall Bill (Mr D. G. Sullivan) were introduced and read a first time. The Prime Minister mover!' the second readme of the Law Practitioners’ Amendment Bill pro forma- The Bill had been introduced bv Mr E. P. Lee and it war l desired to get itybefore the Statutes , Revision Committee. The Bill was read a second time and referred to the committee.

LEGISLATIVE .COUNCIL. \ WELLINGTON, Sept. 2d. The Legislative Council mot at 2.30 n.m. to-day. An agreement was readied between the Council and the. House of Representatives! In respbet to an amendment made in the Statutory Land Charges Registration Bill. Tire Cinematograph Films Bill was read a second time. In moving the committal of the Auctioneers’ Bill, Sir .Heaton Rhodes asked the Council to delete the clause thrown out by the House but inserted by the agricultural .and. pastoral committee of the Council, .providing for., lots., to he sold to the highest bidder alt auction sales of fish, shellfish, fruit and vegetables. It was in the. present Act, but had not .been used in the past 18 years. The Hon. G. Witty objected to ':he deletion, declaring it was not' in the consumer’s interests'. People would thus be debarred from going to an auetion sale .and bidding for goods. IE gave notice of an amendment to. deleta the proposal that, every lot be sold tc the highest bidder but to. retain the provision that it should not be lawful fov au auctioneer to refuse to accept a bid. The Hon. W. H. Mclntyre urged, on behalf of the Counties’ Association, that auctioneers’' license fees should be distributed amongst the local authorities. Sir H. Rhodes said lie had been advised Iby the; Grown Law Office that such a provision would lead to much confusion. However, he would submit the proposal to the Cabinet. In committee on the Bill, Mr Wit-tv's amendment was carried and the clause as amended was adopted, the Bill being then passed. The Council adjourned at 4.00 unto tp-morrow.