Parliament

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 221, 4 September 1926, Page 5

Parliament

House of Representatives YESTERDAY'S SESSIONS. PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILLS. (Per Presa Association.) Wellington, September 3. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The committee which considered the Mildred Elaine Smyth Divorce Bill recommended that the bill be allowed to proceed. During the debate which arose, Mr Dickson (Parnell) said he thought there should not be exceptional legislation, and the right given to Mrs Smyth by this bill should also be given to some 200 women who were in a similar position. The Prime Minister said every private member had a right to introduce a private bill into the House, and the House was master of its own actions as to how it dealt with it. As to the future policy of the (government, he was free to say that he had not given the question mature consideration. He would ask his colleagues to go thoroughly into the point raised by the member for Parnell, and they would let it be known what the Governments’ attitude was towards this phase of divorce. The bill was then read the third time and passed. The Prime Minister laid on the table the report of the Royal Commission on model Maori villages at Ohinemutu and Whakarewarewa. The Swamp Drainage Act, 1915, Amendment Bill was introduoed by Governor-General’s message and read the first time and referred to the Lands Committee. SEVERAL NATIVE BILLS.

The House went into committee on the Native Trustee Amendment Bill, and on the Maori Arts and Crafts Bill. Explaining the former bill, the Prime Minister said it closely followed the present law as it applied to the Pubho Trustee. With regard to the second measure, it was decided to encourage the cultivation of fast disappearing Maori arts and crafts, some of which it was intended to embody in some of our public buildings. Ibe House also went into committee on the Native Land Amendment, and the Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill, which ratified the arrangement made between the Government and the Tuoharetoa tribe regarding fishing rights at Taupo. This arrangement was attacked by Mr Samuel, who declared that though it satisfied the Tuwharetoa tribe, it was extremely unsatisfactory to fishermen who patronised the waters of Taupo. Sir Maui Pomare defended the agreement, which was nothing but reasonable protection to the Tuwharetoa tribe, whose gift to the State of the National Park entitled them to every consideration. All three Native bill, were passed through the committee stage. In the Native Land Amendment Bill, Mr Samuel moved to fix the fee for an annual fishing license at Taupo for permanent residents of New Zealand at a sum not exceeding £l. Un a division the amendment was lost by 42 to 15.

The Gaming Amendment Bill was read the second time pro forma, and referred to a committee, the Premier indicating that this was a polite way of slaughtering it. The House rose at la.m. till 2.30 p.m. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. BILLS READ FIRST TIME. The Legislative Council sat at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The Hutt Valley Land Settlement Bill, Local Bodies’ Loans Bill, Finance Bell, Dentists Amendment Bill, Workers ’Compensation Amendment Bill, Main Highways Amendment Bill, River Improvement Amendment Bill, and Education Amendment Bill were received from tho House and read the first time. The Council approved of the amend meats in the Mildred Elaine Smyth Divorce Bill made by the House. The Veterinary Surgeons Bill was passed without amendment. A lengthy debate took place on th Land Laws Amendment Bill, permi ting the sale ot national endowment lands and reinvestment in the cities. A motion by Sir Robert Stout negativing the sale of endowments was defeated by 20 to 2, the Hon. G. Witty being the only supporter. The bill was put through the final stages and passed. The Council adjourned at 10.35 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Monday.