RUSH OF WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23143, 15 September 1938, Page 15

RUSH OF WORK

MEMBERS' ATTITUDE . ANXIOUS FOR FINISH MANY BILLS DEALT WITH PROGRAMME ALMOST COMPLETE [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] . WELLINGTON, Wednesday Legislation was passed in almost whirlwind fashion in tho Houso of Representatives to-day. Tho session is ncaring its end and members on both sides of the Houso are showing an obvious anxiety to bo relieved of their Parliamentary duties in order to commence tho triennial task of wooing their constituents. Tho result of to-day's sitting was the passing of six Government bills, seven local bills and ono private bill. None of tho measures was unduly contentions and in somo cases bills were allowed to pass without a word of discussion. Replies to Questions At tho start of the sitting Ministerial replies to questions asked by 'members {luring tho last few weeks wero circulated and tho discussion on theso points lasted for the greater part of the afternoon. None of the Ministerial replies, shed any new light 011 matters of Government policy. The soven local bills remaining on the Order Paper were then disposed of before the dinner adjournment. Practically tho last instalment of Government legislation appeared when the House resumed in tho evening. The Samoa Amendment Bill and tho New Zealand" Centennial Bill were introduced by Governor-General's 3Tessage, but neither of these measures is likely to create any great degreo of controversy. As fat as can be gathered at present, tho introduction of tho Appropriation Bill will probably completo the legislativp programme for the session. . Government Takes Urgency

Urgency' was taken for the remaining Government measures on the Order Paper, the Stork Amendment Bill, the Stallions'Bill, the Education Amendment. Bill, the Native Housing Bill. Reserves and' Other Lands Disposal Bill, and the Local Legislation Bill. The only one <of these measures to provoke any degree of discussion was the Education Amendment Bill, hut 'its (jrovisions wero never seriously chalenged. There was_' some discussion on the Native Housing Bill but subsequently all six Government measures were put through committee and passed before the House rose.

LEVY 'BY COMPANY

INSURANCE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS BEING WATCHED [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] , . WELLINGTON, Wednesday The position, of the Public Mutual Insurance Company of New Zealand with regard to the levy which jt is proposed to make on members was discussed in the House of Representatives to-day by the Minister of Finance, the Hon.' W. Nash, in reply to a question of which notice had been given by Mr. C. H. Burnett (Government —Tauranga). . > Mr. Nash said the company was constituted in / 1934 under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1908, dealing with the establishment of unlimited companies. The company was a mutual having no shareholders in the ordinary sense; its policy-holders were its shareholders.'

"Tlio Government is watching all developments arising out of the failure of the Public Mutual Insurance Company," the Minister added, "with a view to taking whatever action is needed as regards legislation. Meanwhile. it is understood that committees of policy-h6lders in the centres are taking whatever steps may be possible to protect their own interests."

CORNWALL PARK RATES RELIEF FOR THE TRUSTEES PROVISION FOR EXEMPTION - [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The Cornwall Park Rating Exemption Bill, designed to give the trustees of tho park a measure of financial relief to assist in maintenance work, was put through'all its remaining stages and passed in the House of Representatives to-night. The provisions of the bill were briefly described by 'Mr. W. P. Endean (Opposition— Parnein. who stated that the One Tree Hili Borough Council was fullv in accord with the measure. There was no further discussion and thß bill was passed.

•hobsonville air base IMPROVING AMENITIES [®Y telegraph-especial reporter] WELLINGTON, Wednesday 'The hon. member has been misinformed," said the Minister t>f Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, in reply to urgent question asked in the House of Representatives by Mr. J. Hargest (Opposition—AwarufO Mr. Hargest asked if the Minister's attention had been drawn to the large number of resignations' among aircraftsmen at Hobsonville air base during tho last few Months. It is true that on the completion of their recruit course at Trentharn . a 'rmen were posted to Hobsonville October, 1937, but only ten of • se ar *d not .50, as stated, took their discharge,said the Minister. "As soon s this position came under my notice | obtained a special report and it was to me that one of tho connbuting factors to their resignation as the lack of amenities at Hobson--1 e air' bajse. It will be realised that has boon rapid development in njectien with our Air Force, and , s 'it lias niit been possible to provide Hediatoly that tvpo of accommodaa,,(l amenities which has been prosin r . :, 1 ,r> I ,r °g rn "lino of expnn--Additional recreational facilities sibl » ,irov ' ( ' C( l ns quickly as pos-

A PROTRACTED debate

'ELEOR'APM— SPECIAL UKPOHTKIt] WELLINGTON, Wednesday ■bv tl° nailCe Hill was finally passed earl<- i lso Representatives at an triM„i !"! niorning, after a proinittrv at< '' -" l0 l )nsS(,f l the comtlio rV . r'! s without amendment after tpi-i- PPositiou had opposed the clauso Panin' t ? balance date of com-t-lnie 8 ' ,n A retrospective taxation, the bill ° bcin « l ,ass,, 'l by 34 to 13. The Sjjjj the *' tllird Inc aud l jasSe d