BILLS OF EXCHANGE BILL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19251, 15 August 1924, Page 9

BILLS OF EXCHANGE BILL.

RESPONSIBILITY OF BANKS. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DISCUSSION. (Fbom Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 14. When the Bills of Exchange Amendment Bill was before the Legislative Council for its third reading to-day, the Hon. O. Samuel uttered a protest against a measure which would relieve the bank of responsibility respecting certain cheques. He said there would be a feeling of great disappointment that no alteration in the Bill had been made in the Statutes Revision Committee. The present law had stood for many years, and no case of hardship had occurred. No one had asked for the Bill, and when this had been pointed out the Leader of the, Council contended that that was a reason why action should be taken. It might almost have been said that when things were satisfactory and everyone was contented, that was the time to alter the law. He had no knowledge that things were otherwise than satisfactory, and he believed in letting well alone. For years past the banks had recognised that they must be scrupulously careful to prevent losses to themselves or their customers. It had been suggested that to carry this out would be to dishonour cheques, but that did not follow. The case that needed assistance was not that of the banks, and if there wore a cause needing assistance it was that, of the customers. Not only were the hanks strong financially, but strong by combination. It was always dangerous to legislate for isolated extreme cases. He hoped the Bill would not be read a third time, and he said that even if the third reading were carried by the Council he had little doubt it would not become law.

The Hon. C. H. Izard thought that evidence should have been taken before the Statutes Revision Committee. There wrs not on tittle of evidence from anyone that this Bill was wanted. He thought the Council should have had some evidence from the banks in support of the Bill. Why had the banks not asked for it? Presumably they did not want it. There might be another reason, and it might be that they dare not ask for such a concession, as in exchange they might be requested to give interest on credit deposits accounts. If the banks wanted the law amended they should ask for it openly. The third reading of the Bill was carried by 20 votes to 8, and the Bill was passed.

THE FOOTBALL, CONTROVERSY: A WARNING. TO THE EDITOB. Ses, — I have little knowledge of football, and none whatever concerning the difference between the Union and the League codes, but it is quite obvious that if the latter displaces to any great extent the former, then the supremacy in the football world now enjoyed by New Zealand must la© lost. A bouse divided against itself cannot stand. With one-half the dominion playing Rugby Union mles and tho other Rugby League rules, the dominion would bold a very secondrate position- So it would be in Australia, for instance, if cricketers there were divided under two codes the cricketing supremacy of Australia would bo gone. Let those who are apparently bent on fomenting dissension and disunion in our football world remember these things if they have any regard for our standing in the sporting world.—l am, etc.. Union is Strength. August 13. Women Customs officers are now employed by the Canadian department of Customs at nearly all the important points on the American border.