AN UNUSUAL EVENT.

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

AN UNUSUAL EVENT.

PRIVATE BILL PASSED.

MARRIAGE LAW AMENDMENT.

LABOUR MEMBER'S MEASURE.

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

The unusual distinction of securing the passage of a private member's bill was attained by the Labour member for Auckland Suburbs, Mr. H. C. It. Mason, in the llouso this evening, l'ho measuro was tho Marriago Amendment Bill, which makes provision for the marriage of a man with tho nieco of his deceased wife, or of a woman with the nephew of her deceased husband.

Most of the legislation promoted by privato members meets its fata 011 tho Parliamentary shambles, session aftor session producing its crop of what are familiarly known as "slaughtered innocents." As far as can bo ascertained thcro have been during the past five years only two privato members whoso measures have reached the Statute Book. Theso wero tho Hon. T. K. Sidov, who, after years of persistent effort, obtained the third reading of his Summer Timo Bill, and Sir John Luke, formerly member for Wellington North, who successfully piloted through tho House tho Music Teachers' Registration. Bill. Rounds of applause greeted Mr. Mason when, after ten minutes' consideration in Committee, the House passed his bill.

QUALITY OF SOIL.

NGAROMA AND MAIMOA.

SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.]

WELLINGTON, 'Wednesday,

Tho taking of steps to solve the soil deficiency troubles in the Ngaroma and Maiinoa districts was recently urged in tho House by Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Government—Waitomo), who said there were millions of acres of fine country that could be brought into production there. Replying to-day, the Minister in charge of tho Scientific and Industrial Hesearch Department, the Hon. H. Atmore, said the Government had realised the importance of the subject, and in conjunction with tho Department of Agriculture a co-ordinated effort on the part of tho branches of science involved was in progress. Extensive chemical tests and analyses of the soil and vegetation on treated and untreated areas were being undertaken, and in addition officers of the Geological Survey were carrying out soil reconnaissance to test tho various pumico layers and soil types. The pathological aspect was being investigated by au expert physiologist, working in the field with the director of the Wal laceville laboratory. Experiments in soil treatment and stock-feeding already in progress Nvero being extended in scope, and every effort was being made to obtain information as to the exact nature of tho disease, and fresh knowledge which should ho of assistance toward bringing this area of country into a profit-earning condition.

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

RIGHTS OF CIVIL SERVANTS.

[Bl* TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] WELLINGTON, 'Wednesday.

In the House to-day tho Leader of tho Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland, pointed out that public servants in tho employ of the Australian States were granted threo months' leavo of absence without pay to contest Parliamentary elections, and were only required to resign iu the event of being elected, in which case they must resign before taking their seats in Parliament. He asked the Primo Minister whether he would alter the law this session to give New Zealand public servants the same rights. Sir Joseph Ward replied that inquiries would bo made into tho system obtaining in Australia, and when tho Government had tho whole of the facts before it, it would givo tho matter tho fullest consideration.