HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8810, 13 August 1914, Page 8

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

’ The House of Representatives met at 7.30 p.m. ), $ THE REFERENDUM BILL. Mr T. H. Diavey (Christchurch East) asked the chairman of the Education Committee whether it was proposed to complete the taking of evidence with regard to the Bible-in-schools referendum this session. , Mr G. M. Thomson (Dunedin North) said that the committee would be engaged for about three weeks in the taking of evidence on the Education Bill. After that the con mittee would probably resume the taking of .evidence on the referendum question. . ■ MORTGAGES EXTENSION BILL. On the question that minor amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Mortgages Extension Bill be agreed to, the Hon. A. L. Herd man informed Mr Myora (Auckland East) that a clause would later on bo introduced by Governor’s message dealing with the question of penal rates of interest. Sir Joseph Ward wanted to know if the . bill could provide’ for some grace for mortgagors when the repeal of the legislation was carried, so that nobody’s throat would bo cut, as it were. ■ i Dr A. K.’ Newman (Wellington East) thought the measure was too drastic. He had been assured that if this bill were passed as it stood, there would bo no trust moneys available. He suggested instead of the bill becoming operative on a certain date, it should become law by tho decision of the Gov-, ornor-in-Councii, it it were found lie-! cessary. Mr J. Payne (Grey. Lynn) said that the story about no trust money being available was a be gey. Surely it was bettor to relieve many people who were overburdened with debt than to bother about a few investment societies. The Hon. A. L. Herdman explained that the bill could remain in operation for six months after war ceased to. exist. The amendments of the Council were agreed to. After putting through the Public Revenues Amendment Bill, the House rose at 11.23 p.m.