PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20364, 19 September 1929, Page 13

PARLIAMENT.

DULL DAY IN HOUSE.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BILLS

ONE MEASURE FASSED.

THE MARRIAGE LAW.

[lir TELEG HAT It. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

The deliberations of the House of Reprc leutalives were extremely dull to-day, Most of tho afternoon was spent, in dis cussing papers and Ministers* written re plies to questions were also circulated.

Private members held tho door in tho evening, when consideration was given to several bills emanating from tho Labour benches. An unusual occurrence was the success of Mr. H. G. It. Mason (Labour —Auckland Suburbs) in securing tho third reading of bis Marriago Amendment Hill, legalising tho marriago ot' u mail with his deceased wife's niece or a woman with her deceased husband's

nephew. Mr. E. «T. Howard (Labour —Christchurch 'South) expressed tho optimistic linpo that his Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill, which followed, would be as readily acceptable to tho House. .The fond expectation was not fulfilled, however, for tho rest of the evening was devoted to discussion 011 tho lull, which was read a second timo just beforo the hour for adjournment and was roferred to tho Labour Bills Committee. Mr. Howard mentioned that it was tho ninth occasion on which bo had moved tho second reading of the bill. Government bills will take precedence to-morrow. Thoso for prior consideration are tho Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill, tho Patents, Designs and Trade Marks Amendment Bill and the LTrban Farm Lands Rating Bill, all of which are due for second reading.

CASH-ORDER TRADING.

VALUE OF THE INQUIRY.

INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC.

[RY TELEGRATH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

' Criticism of tho report on cash-order trading, presented to Parliament recently, prompted tho Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. J. G. Cobbo, to point out in the House to-day that tho recommendations wcro designed to let tho public know exactly what they wero paying for and tho benefits they received. The Minister said tho investigation had been made in fulfilment of a promiso given by tho previous Administration. Tho secretary of tho department, Mr. J. A. Collins, had gone to considerable trouble to ascertain the true position. Tho four centres wero visited and evidenco was heard from all sides.

Tho report which had been brought down was not an attack upon the system, but was simply designed to let tho public know what they were paying for the accommodation. Tho recommendations were in the direction of lessening tho cost to those who took advantage of the system. Tho case had been stated fairly and without prejudice. Tho evidenco showed clearly that the rates charged were top high. " We do not want to oppress those in poor circumstances," concluded tho Minister. "On the contrary, we desire to help them, and our recommendations take the first step in letting them know what the system costs them."- ,

A CITY'S DERELICTS.

PROVISION OF A HOME*

LBT TELEGRiLPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

"The Government has not considered the desirability of placing the control of mental hospitals in the hands of hospital boards," said tho Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, in replying to a question in the llouso to-day. Tho Minister said provision wa3 being made for a homo for feeble-minded adults who wero often in and out of prison on short sentences. The whole question was one of great complexity, but a commencement had alroady been mado in the direction indicated by the opening of tho Templeton farm for juveniles. It was proposed to submit legislation this session to extend' tho system to provido for elderly people.

MILITARY TRAINING.

PROBLEM OF EXEMPTIONS.

[RT TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday.

A report that 13 applications for exemption from military training, filed in Ihe Magistrate's Court in Auckland, had been adjourned to October in the expectation that the Government would introduce legislation on tho subject of exemption, was referred to the Minister of Defence, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, bv Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Labour —Auckland •Suburbs), in the House to-day. Mr. Mason gave notice to ask tho Minister whether tho Government would inako a' statement as to its policy and follow tho statement with appropriate action.

(HEAR MONEY PROMISE.

MATTER FOR THE FUTURE

[nr TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

"When is tho Government going to effect to its declared policy of advancing up to £8,000,000 a year to setI lors and workers for a term at, 4j| per cent?" asked Mr. F. Langstone (Labour —Waimarino) in the House recently.

Replying to day, tho Minister of Fin-' a nee, .Sir Joseph Ward, said action would l"> taken when conditions enabled tho (iovernrnent to obtain money on terms that would enable tho State Advances Board to lend at reduced rates.

UNIVERSAL HALF-HOLIDAY.

MOTION BEFORE HOUSE.

LBV TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

A resnltless attempt to ascertain when the House will havo art opportunity of expressing an opinion on tho question of making Saturday tho univorsal half-holi-day was made by Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour —Napier) in tho House to-day. Tho Minister of Labour, tho Hon. W. A. Veitch, said no notice of tho question had been given him. However, ho was not. in a position to say when tho relevant notice of motion on tho Older Paper would be dealt with. That was a matter for Iho decision of tho Prirno Minister.

"Are you not bringing down a bill?" inquired Mr. F. Langstono (Labour — Waimarino). The Minister: No, it is a notice of motion, which is already on tho Order Paper. '