PARLIAMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 20 October 1927, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEVERAL BILLS PASSED. PUBLIC WORKS BTATMENT THIS WEEK. Wellington, Oct. 19. In moving the second reading of the Guardianship of Infants Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives this afternoon, the Hon. F. J. Rolles ton said the bill was designed to confer on magistrates power to give consent to the marriage of “infants. ’’ He explained that it was intended to do this in last year’s amending hill, but the intentions of the Legislature in this respect were defeated by a previous clause, which restricted the jurisdiction of' magistrates with regard to applications under the Act to cases where children were under sixteen years of age.

The bill was read a second time without discussion.

On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. A. D. McLeod moved the second reading of the Introduction of Plants Bill, which, the Minister explained, was intended to control the introduction into the Dominion of new plants. Many people were bringing in plants that were an absolute danger to the country, and this must, be stopped.

The bill was read the second time and referred to the Agricultural Committee on the Bankruptcy Amendment Bill, which was reported with minor amendments made by the Statutes Revision Committee.

The Magistrate’s Court Amendment Bill was also reported with minor amendments.

The Apprentices Amendment Bill was next called on. The Leader of the Opposition asked the Minister of Labour if he would postpone this bill until the whole question could be gone into thoroughly. He was receiving objections to the bill from all parts of the Dominion and he failed to seo why this amendment, which was only a partial one, should be rushed through at the end of the session. The Hon G. J. Anderson said ne could not postpone the bill, because he had asked for suggestions and. Laving received them, he felt he should give effect to them. The present system of determining an employer’s quota of apprestnics was not satisfactory, and if boys were to be given an opportunity to learn n trade this amendment must be passed. At 7.30 p.m., Mr McKcen’s amendment to report progress was ruled out on the ground that the dinner adjournment had intervened before the amendment was put. First clause of bill was then allowed to pass, and on the second clause Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) again moved to report progress, not, ns he explained, to block the bill, but to emphasise the need for further consideration. On the division the amendment was lost by 53 to 15. Mr Fraser then moved a new clans" providing that no person be added to the list of employers unless he has been a journeyman in that trade and was at that time engaged in it. He said the object of the clause was to prevent the ranks of employers being stuffed with bogus names.

The Minister said he could not accept the amendment at that stage, hut lie would consider the suggestion when he was going into the whole question of apprentices.

The new clause was lost on the voices and the bill was reported with out amendment.

The Public Service Superannuation Bill was next considered in committee. Mr Sullivan asked the Minister if he- was prepared to do anything in the way of providing superannuation for nurses.

The Hon. W. Nosworthy said be had not for gotten it. Mr M. J. Savage (Auckland West) urged that a widow of a superannuate should have a more liberal allowance than £lB per annum. It would, of enurse, mean a more costly scheme, but it’should be done. Moreover, the ■whole scheme required careful overhaul.

The Hon. W. Nosworthy said no further legislation would be brought down this session but a committee had been set up to go into various matters, and he hoped to introduce a bill on the subject next session. The bill was subsequently reported without amendment.

The bills reported were then read the third time and passed. The Minister of Labour moved the third reading of the Inspection' of Machinery Bill, which was agreed to after a brief debate, and the bill was passed. The Prime Minister stated that the Public Works Statement would come down this week, and the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill would be brought down tomorrow.

The House rose at 10.30 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

At the close of the formal business the House of Representatives to-day proceeded to discuss answers given by Ministers to questions put during tiie past three months. Amongst other answers Ministers gave the following:— That inquiries are being made as to whether the rights of appeal against decision of the Native Land Court should be reinstated That it is correct that the exhibition of shipping news at post offices has been discontinued. This service was costing the P. and T. Department £5OOO per annum. The question of reinstatement is, however, receiv. ing the consideration of the Government.

That the question of making some provision for families of persons total !v and permanently incapacitated is receiving consideration by the Government at the present ume. That regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act are at present under preparation and it is anticipated that they will be issued in draft form for public consideration before the end of the month. Those regulations cover inspection, control and condition of motor vehicles and should result in a reduction in the number ot motor accidents.

That railway rates for the conveyance of artificial manures were reviewed in 1926, when a substantial reduction was made in the charges for the conveyance of this commodity. The department recognises the many advantages of increasing the productivity of land and ns evidence

of this is carrying manures at the existing low rates. If is regretted that the tune is not opportune tor making any further concessions in this direction. That the liberation of approved breeds of opossums in remote country districts will receive further consideration and the Ministers of Agriculture and Internal Affairs are to confer on the question. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Wellington, Oct. I». The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The Orchard Tax Bill and Aptaries Bill were received from the House and read the first time, the latter being also read the second tune pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. In moving the second reading of the Customs Amendment Bill, the Leader of the Council (Sir Francis Bell) merely pointed out that the Council had no right to amend any part of it. After discussion the bill was read the second time, committed without amendment and set down for the third reading on Friday. Sir Francis Bell gave ntwice of his intention to introduce the Police Offences Consolidation Bill. The Council adjourned at 4.22 p.m. until to-morrow.