PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1938, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

MANY BILLS PASS AT YESTERDAY’S SITTING. (Per Press Association —Copyright). WELLINGTON, March 12. The House met yesterday at 2.30 p.m. Answering an urgent question ,by Mr A. G. Sultquist (Bay of Plenty) as to the reported increase of ten per cent, on timber in the Dominion, the. Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) replied that the report was incorrect and that the average increase in the price of building timbers was five per cent, .overall. On many lines of timber there would be no increase at all. The Minister in charge of the Local Bodies Amalgamation Schemes Bill, (Hon. W. E. Parry) informed the House that he would reintroduce the measure next session and give. all interested parties a full opportunity of tendering evidence to the committee. The Thames Borough Commission Amendment Bill was put through without discussion. i Urgency was granted the passing of the remaining stages of the Iron and Steel Industry Bill. The House proceeded to consider the committee stages of this Bill all, the afternoon, discussion on short title alone lasting until 5.20 p.m. Then the remaining clauses of the bill were put, through with the utmost dispatch, the House going on with business after the usual tea hour at 5.30 p.m. until 5.48 p.m. when the Bill was read a third time and passed. When the House resumed ‘ at 7.30 p.m., the Statutes Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor’s message, and rea.d a first time. The Attorney-General (Bon. H. G. R. Mason) said that there were some twenty-eight, clauses in the Bill, but there was nothing in it that Wfi<s of a contentious. nature. The provisions of the Bill really, (;iqade:,small amendments to the existing .statutes, many of the amendments relating only to routine matters. * The Native Purposes Bill* was passed through committed stages and was; read a third time’. • 1 Urgency was accorded the passing of the Finance Bill (No. 2). * ! The Leader of the Opposition (Hon. Adam Hamilton)/ ;|ajd (there-.was noth-: • Ing very } earitentioh| j|i ihA measure’.' The Bill “passed a|se.cdnd, .Reading p 10.35 p.m. and the committee, stages were put through without discussion as was the third reading and the House rose at 10.40 p.m. until 10.30 aim. today. . ' : THE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council to-.night passed the, first reading of , the Thames Bofpugii Commissioner '' Amendment;; Bill, Native Purposes Bill and the Iron and Steel Industry ' Bill. . • :