PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 August 1928, Page 9

PARLIAMENT

YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

(By Telegraph) (From “The Mail’s” Parliamentary Reporter). '

WELLINGTON, Bth August. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p m. to-day. The Methodist Theological College Edson Trust Extension Bill was put through its final stages and passed. The Hanmer Crown Leases Bill was received from the House of Representatives, read the first time, and the second time pro forma, and referred to the Lands Committee.

The Church of England Empowering Bill was read the first time.

LEAGUE QUESTIONNAIRE

The Hon. Sir James Allen aslceel: (1) Whether the Government has received (and, if so, on what date) a series of questionnaires on the following subjects: Nationality; territorial waters; diplomatic privileges and immunities; responsibly of States for damage done in their territories to the person or property of foreigners; procedure for international conferences and procedure for the conclusion and drafting of treaties; piracy; and exploitation of the products of the sea, prepared by the League of Nations’ Committee of Experts for the Progressive Codification of International Law and dispatched by the Secretary-General of the League to all nations prior to April, 1927? (2) Whether the Government has sent any. replies to ..j the .question-' naires, and, if so*, when? (3) If re-' plies have .been • despatched, will the Government lay a copy of them before Parliament for the information of-mem-bers ; if no replies have been despatched, is it the intention of the Government to reply? (4) What machinery exists for receiving such communications, and 1 what procedure would be followed so as to ensure that consideration would be given to such documents? (5, If the questionnaires were received, how were they dealt With? The Leader of the Council (the Right Hon. Sir Francis Bell) replied as follows:—(1) The series of questionnaires referred to (which raised the preliminary question of the feasibility and desirability of codifying international law on the subjects specified) was received by the New Zealapd Government on the sth May, 1926. (2) A reply was dispatched on the 28th February, 1927. (3) The reply was that the New Zealand Government desire to associate themselves in this matter with the replies forwarded to the League on behalf of His Majesty’s Government in Great Britain. (4) All, communications from tfie League of Nations are dealt with by the Prime Minister’s Department in consultation, where necessary, with ■ any! other Department concerned. (5) In the specific case referred to the reply was approved by the Government after reference to the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General.