PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22047, 1 March 1935, Page 11

PARLIAMENT

mortgage bill better progress made /' 'ACTION BY GOVERNMENT URGENCY AND CLOSURE STUBBORN OPPOSITION [BY IIBLEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] ' WELLINGTON, Thursday Althrugh contentious issues led -to protrac! Ed debates the House of Representatives made better progress to-day with its consideration in committer of tho Mortgage Corporation Bill. Tie measure has been before tho House for a fortnight, and the Governmon / took action to-day to ensure faster progress, firstly by securing urgencj at tho outset of the day's pro- , ceedingi, and later by application of tho closure. ■

Another battle royal with the Minister o:l Finance, Mr. Coates, tho Leader of tho Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, Mr. W. ,T. Poison (Government —Si rat ford) and Mr. A. M. Samuel (Independent—Thames) as tho principal participants, was wagtfd on the question' of the wisdom of admitting shareholder capital into the corporation. '

The Minister was adamant in his refusal to amend the clause in the direction sought, and after a discussion lasting several hours, he moved that the question 'be put. The division resulted in the retention of the clause by 32 votes t<; 27, that, being the narrowest margin experienced by the Government on any stage of tho bill. Mr. Poison, Mr. A. JE. Jull (Government —Waipawa) und Mr. J. Connolly (Government —Mid-Canterbury) voted with Labour und Independents in the minority. On>) e lndependent, Mr. It. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs), voted with this Government. Government amendments to the bill were circulated to-day, but apart from the foreshadowed appointment of associate -directors, no material changes were proposed, and the clause dealing with loc il body rates was not recast, as had been announced earlier. A she alt of Labour amendments was also circulated to-day, an indication that thu remaining stages of the bill will also be stubbornly fought.

The constitution of the board of management was criticised by several member!. Mr. Savage sought to reduce the directorate of eight members to five, all representing the State, while Mr. Pol;: on endeavoured to increase the number to eleven to give borrowers three, representatives. Both amendments vi ere comfortably defeated. The clause dealing with the appointment of directors, was carried by 29 votes to 21, and the House adjourned at a late hour. PUBLIC SERVICE ENTRY "AM j INEXORABLE BAN" ■ V : / _ some Relaxation sought [BY TIIIEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Thursday Relaxation of the ban on Public Service applicants who have been found guilty o:f some offence against the law was sought by Mr. C. L. Carr (Labour —Timarli) in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr. Curr gave notice to ask the Minister in charge of the Public Service whether he would provide for the exercise of some discrimination in this "inexorable ban." He said that unless the restriction were somewhat relaxed, the service would continue to bo closed to many efficient, suitable and ( otherwise . eligible oa.ndidates who suffered hardship and perpetual stigma, with little encouragement in their efforts to reform. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TWO MEASURES PASSED ■ f BRITISH NATIONALITY BILL [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION J WELLINGTON. Thursday . In the Legislative Council this afternoon the Hon. G. J. Anderson (Wellington), moved a motion seeking information as to the cost of a contributory superannuation system which Would provide for the compulsory retirement of all persons over the age of 60 years. He said there were many people direr the age of 60 capable of giving a good day's work, but there was also the problem of young people coining on., The progress of machinery had narrowed avenues of employment, a nd his scheme would alleviate the nnetnployraent problem and encourage thrift. ' The Hon. M. Fagan (Wellington), who seconded the motion, said tlliat under such a scheme people could look forward to security in their old age. Ha also made a plea for the inauguration of a;i invalidity pension scheme. The Bloodworth (Auckland), also supported the proposal. The debate was adjourned. The Companies (Bondholders Incorporation) Bill was put through the remaining t;tages and passed. '1 he British Nationality and Status of Alien;}' (in New Zealand Amendment) Bill was reported back from the Statutes Revision Committee with , amendments. Moving the second reo.dmg, the Hon. R. Masters said the Statutes Revision Committee had made amendments as a result of information which had been obtained from the Imperial authorities. It, was desirable that on questions of nationality, there should bo uniformity throughout the Empire. nvl the bill was designed to New Zealand law into conformity with the English law. I lider tjie amendments, women who had married aliens had conferred on 'them the rights and privileges of a British subject, without absolutely granting them British nationality, so lorn; as t ley remained in New Zealand. The bill' was put through all stages and passed.