PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22066, 23 September 1933, Page 13

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

NOTES FROM PRESS GALLERY (From Oub Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, September 22. LITTLE PROGRESS MADE. The Government’s plans went badly astray in the House of Representatives to-day. The afternoon had been set aside for members to pay their last respects to the legislators who have died during the recess, but it so happened that among preliminary business which the House had to dispose of was the introduction of the Banks Indemnity (Exchange) Repeal Bill. As all the members had been attending the State luncheon to the officers of the Australian Naval Squadron the House did not meet until 3 o’clock, and It was after 5 when without objection from the Prime Minister Mr Veitch’s repeal Bill was introduced and read a first time. Mr Forbes then moved the adjournment and . announced that the memorial tributes would not be taken until the House resumed next Tuesday. The Address-in-Reply debate will be introduced the same evening by Mr Henry Holland and Mr W. J. Broadfoot. Suggestions have been made that this debate should be drastically curtailed, but Mr Forbes said to-night he did not think any such action would be necessary. Official functions connected with the visit of the Australian Naval Squadron have seriously interfered with the work of the Cabinet and it is doubtful whether there will be an opportunity for a further meeting until next week. Several Government Bills are ready, however, and notice of these'will be given to the House on Tuesday. The coming week does not promise to produce any very exciting happenings. THE RAILWAYS BOARD. Decision is awaited concerning the position of two members of the Government Railways Board, Mr E. Newman and Mr G. W. Reid, whose term of two years expired in June. Of the other members Mr H- H. Sterling, the chairman, was appointed for four years and Sir James Gunson and Mr D. Reese for three years. The announcement of the Government’s intentions is a matter for Mr Forbes as Minister of Railways. He said this evening that he had not had time since his return from abroad to give consideration to the question. BLUFF GRANITE.

It is understood that Bluff granite will be largely used in decorative work on the facings of several important public buildings about to be commenced, including the new . Wellington railway station and the new Government Life Insurance building in Wellington and the Dunedin Post Office. A member of the Fletcher Construction Company has informed Mr de la Perrelle that the demand for this stone would lead to considerable activity in the Bluff quarry for the next three years. He said it was probable that 30 men working two shifts would be engaged to meet the demands for stone. The quarry at Bluff would be opened up almost immediately, possibly from a new angle which would enable the workers to extract stone of the best quality. MINTING OF NEW ZEALAND COINAGE. Legislation will be introduced by the Government during the present session to put into full effect the powers which it received in the Finance Act (1932-33, No. 4) to arrange for the minting of special New Zealand silver and bronze coinage. Previous legislation empowered the Minister of Finance to make arrangements with the Master of the Royal Mint for the minting of new coinage, and declared that the coins minted in accordance with this arrangement should be legal tender in New Zealand. It also permitted the Minister to purchase from the Royal Mint such amounts of coinage ns might from time to time be necessary to meet the public A preliminary announcement to-day indicates that the measure to be introduced this session will implement this legislation. The new Bill will also, it is understood, provide for administrative control of the new currency in New Zealand, JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BILL. The Judicial Proceedings (Regulation of Reports) Bill, read a first time in the House of Representatives this afternoon, is said to be identical with the measure introduced last session, but not proceeded with. The Bill places restriction on the publication by newspapers of details connected with court reports. It is substantially a reproduction of the Judicial Proceedings (Regulation of Reports) Act passed by the British Parliament in 1926. It makes it unlawful for anyone to print or publish any indecent matter or indecent medical, surgical or physiological details, the publication of which would bo calculated to injure the public morals, and particulars of which are given in the course of any judicial proceedings. Restrictions are also placed upon the publication by newspapers of certain particulars and evidence connected with divorce cases. Except with the authority of the persons represented it shall not be lawful to print or publish in relation to any judicial proceedings any photograph, drawing, caricature or other representation of any person who is a party to the proceedings, or who is a witness or who has attended the proceedings for the purpose of giving evidence. Last session the BUI was referred to the Statutes Revision Committee, which heard evidence on the proposals contained in the measure.