PRIVILEGES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 8 September 1926, Page 6

PRIVILEGES

HOUSE AND COUNCIL kffIICWOMPNt'S TO THE BILLS BOTH “PLACES" OVERSTEP THE MARK (By Telegraph.—Soecial to The Mail.) WELLINGTON, This Day

Although the Legislative Council may, in general, amend Rills sent up for its consideration from the House of Representatives, there are certain amendments, those concerning money for instance, which it may not- make without infringing the privileges of tile House. Yesterday afternoon it was reported to the House by the Minister of Lands that the Council had made an amendment to the Land Laws Amendment Bill. Mr Speaker said that it was his duty to announce that the amendment infringed the privileges of the House. M r McLeod said that the amendment was not a vital one and merely related to the better handling of the Lake Ellesmere Account. He moved that the House agree with the amendment and waive its .objection on the point of privilege, provided such waiver was not used as a'precedent. COUNCIL’S AMEN DM ENTS The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holland) said that although the amendment was not a very important one, at the same time he thought there was a grave danger in giving way in matters of ’that • kind. 1 have been struck this session, said Mr Holland with the number of occasions on which amendments which have come from the other place have infringed the privileges in this chamber. I do not think we have had a session previously since I have been in the House,- at any rate, where we have had so many instances of that kind. I am not opposing the motion, but- on any future occasion any similar motion will receive determined opposition from these benches. The Council’s amendment was agreed to. A RIPPLE OF LAUGTER There was a ripple of laughter when the decision of the House was reported in the Council a little later, for only a minute or so before the Council liad resolved to assert its own privileges in regard to another amendment. The House had returned the Town Planning Bill with a report that it disagreed with the amendment inserted by the Upper House providing that the director of town planning sliould not engage in private practice, as such a provision was a breach of the privileges of the House. The Leader of the Council (Sir R. Heaton Rhodes), moved that the Council should not insist on its amendment hut remarked that it was within the privilege of the Council to make such an amendment.

It is a matter of principle and wo ought to stand by our guns, remarked the Hon. Mr Mark Cohen.

Mr Speaker pointed out that by the method proposed, each chamber would maintain its privileges. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes: —“I hope the Council will not insist upon the' amendment. I fail to see that the amendment involves any appropriation. However, the House holds that it is so and we should let it go at that.