LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1932, Page 8

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

PASSAGE OF BILLS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. S. The Legislative Council met at 11.30 a.m. Hon. M. Fagan asked the Government whether, in view of the satisfactory manner in which gold prospecting was responding as a branch of unemployme it relief, it would immediately take advantage of the summer months by sending out a number of parties under competent supervisors to prospect for reefs on auriferous areas known to exist on the West Coas* of the South Island. Hon. R. Masters said a large number of prospectors were already engaged, with the aid of financial assistance from the Unemployment Board and the Mines Department, in prospecting many of these areas, and further measures in the direction of more systematic prospecting were now being discussed. The Fire Brigades Amendment Bill was put through the remaining stages and passed. Speaking on the second reading of the Native Land Amendment Bill, Rt. Hon. Sir Francis Bell depored the fact that the Council did not have sufficient time to study the measure adequately. There was no suggestion that it was urgent, and if its passage had been delayed until January “we might be able to. study the Bill and suggest to even so wise a Government something out of our ignorance that might be worthy of its temporary consideration. “We are not being given a chance of even exposing our ignorance,’’ lie added. Apparently the Council was willing to^ accept anything without consideration. The procedure being adopted was bringing the character of the Council into contempt. . , Mr Masters said that as the Bill bad been sent to the Native Affairs Committee at Sir Francis Bell’s request it was hardly fair to say the Council was prepared to accept the measure without consideration. The principles of the Bill were based on the findings of the National Expenditure Commission which had gone thoroughly into the question. The measure was a step forward in Native administration. The Bill was put through the remaining stages and passed. The Property Law Amendment Bill was also put through the remaining stages and passed. The Council adjourned at 1 p.m.