PARLIAMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 287, 1 November 1934, Page 9

PARLIAMENT

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION. AMENDING BILL PROMISED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 31. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Mr E. J. Howard was granted five days’ leave on account of urgent public business. Mr S, G. Smith, .on behalf of the Labour Bills Committee, reported on a number of petitions praying for the repeal of the Apprentices Act. The committee said the question ol' repeal was one of policy and it recommended that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Mr Smith said no evidence in support of the petitions was offered before the committee.

The report was tabled. The same committee recommended that, as the Minister of Labour had announced his intention of introducing an amendment to the Workers Compensation Act, Mr Parry's Workers Compensation Amendment Bill be not allowed to proceed. Mr Parry asked if it was the intention of tlie Minister of Labour to bring down his amendment before the House adjourned. Hon. J. Bitchener said the Bill was practically drafted, but it was not convenient to bring it down at present. However, lie promised that tiie Bill would be brought down when the session resumed. Mr P. Frasei said there was no difference of opinion on the matter. The Bill could be put through very quickly. He thought it would be a happy ending to the present portion of the session if the Bill could be introduced and put through unanimously. The report was tabled.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. LOANS CONVERSION BILL PASSED The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. Moving the second reading of the Local Authorities Interest Reduction and Loans Conversion Amendment Bill, Hon. R. Masters said the measure was designed to remove anomalies and difficulties experienced since the operation o ftlie original Act. Up to the present 75 per cent, of the convertible loan money had been converted, the amount aggregating £32,000,000. Sir James Allen protested against the provision giving local bodies power to raise loans not exceeding £IOOO without a poll of ratepayers. It was opening up a big precedent. Hon. C. J. Carrington said'this provision was giving the Executive more power than it should have. Hon. R. McCallum said that only a small percentage of the ratepayers took an interest in loan polls. In reply, Mr Masters said all loan proposals had to be sanctioned by the Loea Government Loans Board. The Bill was put through all stages and passed. The Council rose at 4.5 o’clock.