GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18198, 19 March 1921, Page 13

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (Abridged from Press Association Telegram) WELLINGTON, March IS.. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The SPEAKER announced that the Ad-dress-in-Rtply had been presented that morning to the Governor-General. A Message from tho Governor-General announced that Sir Thomas Mackenzie had been called to the Council. The Council rose at 2.55 p.m. until 11 a.m. to-morrow.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House met at 2.30 p.m. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS, Mr W. NOSWORTHY gave notice of his Intention to introduce the No.-ious Weeds Bill. Replying to Mr Sidey, Mr NOSWORTHY said the question of fire blight would bo dealt with in tho Noxious Weeds Bill, of which he had just given notice. Replying to Mr D. G. Sullivan, Mr MASSEY said it was intended to continue the rent restrictions provisions at present on the Statute Book; further, that next session it was intended to review the whole question of rent restrictions, as many of tho existing provisions had outlived their usefulness, and were probably now doing more harm than good. Replying to Mr G. Mitchell, Mr D. H. GUTHRIE contended that no aggregation of land was going on in tho KaDcoura County. As a matter of fact, subdivision, and not aggregation, -was going on all over the dominion. Later, ho would make a fuller statement on the subject if opportunity offered. Replying to Mr Mitchell, Sir R. HEATON RHODES said Cabinet. had_ not met and decided on a site for tho National memorial. The question had been narrowed down to two sites, but there was some difference of opinion about these, and he thought the final decision better not be hurried. As soon as tho matter was settled the decision would be made known. Replying to Mr T. M Wilford, Mr B. P. LEE said ho had inquired into and settled several cases of hardship in connection with ex-members of the Samoan Police Force. Replying to Mr Mitchell, Mr J. G. f rATES said surveyors were now at work on an examination of the routes for the proposed deviation of tho Rimutake railway. He could not say how soon work would bo completed. THE PATEA SEAT. On the motion of the PRIME MINISTER, the Speaker was authorised to issue a new writ for tho Patea seat. EXPIRING LAWS CONTINUANCE BILL. The Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was Introduced by Governor-General’s Message. MORTGAGES EXTENSION BILL. , Mr MASSEY moved the second reading of the Mortgages Extension Amendment Bill. In doing so he said the Bill was rendered necessary by the financial circumstances of the country. He knew there were two sides to tho question: that mortgagees had some interest in ,the matter; but he thought they should look rather to the good of the country generally than to tho advantage of the individual. The Bill practically extended mortgages coming under the original Act for six months. Mr WILFORD raised the question of extending tho Bill to all mortgages. Mr NEWMAN urged that if a lender was willing to grant a reasonable renewal the borrower should be compelled to take it at the current rates of interest, and not avail himself of the benefit of this Bill. He thought the Bill should apply to all mortgages. Mr J. P. LUKE (Wellington North) thought the benefits of the Bill should be extended to local bodies, who raised money in New Zealand by issuing debentures; otherwise local bodies which had large sums falling due by using debentures would be seriously embarrassed. Mr R. W. SMITH supported the Bill. Mr E. P. LEE said there were considerations affecting both sides as to whether the proposed amendment should not be made. It would be a pity to amend the Act if it was going to interfere with lending in future. When the original Act was passed in 1919 it wasdefinitely and distinctly understood it should not refer to mortgages executed after the commencement of tho Act. There was a promise in fact, and the public was given to understand after that measure if mortgages were executed they would not be interfered with.. If they broke that promise and understanding no one would know where he stood. There was not, he thought, a great number of mortgages executed since 1919 which would fall duo before October next, and he thought it would be unwise to amend the Bill so as to exclude them. My V. H. REED (Bay of Islands) said mortgagees were said to have become frightened. People were not paying off what they owed, Tbut werte tuning the money to lend at a higher rate of interest. He suggested that mortgages should not be treated en bloc, but should be divided up, as at different dates. Mr J. A. YOUNG (Waikato) said people were spending their money extravagantly on motor cars, thus detrimentally affecting exchange. Mr MASSEY, in reply, said the debate had shown that the Bill was a necessity. It could not be dispensed with without grave danger to many deserving people. The second reading was 'agreed to on the voices. .. SHOPS AI?D OFFICES BILL. Discussion was proceeding on the Shops and Offices Bill wnen the House adjourned at 5.30. EVENING SITTING. When the House resumed at 7.30 Mr ANDERSON explained, in view of opposition to the clause dealing with the cases of small' shopkeepers, he was willing to make a compromise by inserting in clause 11 a provision whereby small shopkeepers could go to the court and get exemption from the closing requirements. This concession should operate till January next. Meantime, amending legislation could be brought down and anomalies removed. Mr A. HARRIS (Waitemata) objected to the compromise. There were too many restrictions on small men, and they should bo removed. Mr MASSEY pointed out that there was no chance of the Bill as brought down passing this session. The next best thing to do was to accept the compromise, which fairly met the difficulties and hardships imposed on small shopkeepers. The Bill was read a second time on tho voices. The Mortgages Extension Amendment Bill and the Shops and Office® Amendment Bills wore put through committee, read a third time, and passed. Tho Finance Bill was read a first time, and the second reading set down for tomorrow. The Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was read a second time, and set down for committee stage to-morrow. The House rose at 11-45 till 11 a.m. tomorrow.