PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22070, 28 September 1933, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

NOTES FROM PRESS GALLERY

(Feom Oub Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, September 27. COURT OF APPEAL SITTINGS. The Judicature Act Amendment Bill, which was read a first, time in the House of Representatives to-day, replaces the Act passed last year prescribing the procedure for summoning special sittings of the Court of Appeal. The only_ material alteration proposed to be made is to substitute a certificate from three judges, of whom the Chief Justice shall be one, for a certificate by tlie Chief Justice alone. The alteration is made at the request of the Chief Justice. RAISING THE MARRIAGE AGE. The Marriage Act Amendment Bill, which was read a first time in the House of Representatives to-day, fixes at 16 for both sexes the minimum age of marriage. The minimum was previously 12 years for girls and 14 years for boys. The Bill also permits the appointment of women as officiating ministers under the Marriage Aot ' THE LAW OF LIBEL.

The purpose of the Law of Libel Act Amendment Bill, which was read a first time in the House to-day, is to protect from actions for libel persons who, in good faith and without malice, publish a fair and accurate report of proceedings of domestic tribunals set up by sports organisations and other bodies. An example would be the proceedings and findings of a committee appointed by the Racing Conference to hear charges of malpractice against a jockey. RADIO BROADCASTING.

One effect of the delay in opening the session of Parliament is that the departmental reports, particularly those covering the calendar year, are out of date when they are presented to the House of Representatives. The first annual report of the Broadcasting Board, which was presented to-day by the post-master-general (Mr A. Hamilton) is for the year ended December 31, 1932, and was actually signed by the chairman and members of the board on January 31 of this year. Most of the information contained in the report, particularly regarding improvements in technical equipment, is, therefore, out of date. The policy of the board towards engaging local artists is described in these words: —“Entertainment formed the bulk of the programmes, and no effort was spared to secure the services of new artists. The results, however, have been disappointing, for it is the experience that only a small percentage of those granted auditiona reach the required standard. While the board has endeavoured to encourage artists, it has been forced to the conclusion that the number,of artists in the Dominion capable qf maintaining a satisfactory standard is comparatively small. This is readily understood, however, when consideration ig given to the relatively small population of the Dominion.” ' The balance sheet for the year shows an excess of income over expenditure of £2357 after provision has been made for heavy, depreciation of assets, writing off half cost of the arbitration proceedings with the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand, Ltd., and transferring £314,000 to renewals and replacements reserve. BORROWING POWERS OF TRUSTEES. The temporary provision that expired on March 31 last in connection with the borrowing powers of trustees is made permanent by the Trustee Amendment Bill which was introduced to-day and read a first time. This temporary authority was conferred on trustees by a clause in the Finance Act, 1931 (No. 2). Subject to the approval of the Supreme Court, it enabled trustees to borrow on the security of a trust property, and to apply the moneys so borrowed to the benefit of the persons for whose benefit the trustees could lawfully apply the capital moneys of the trust if such were available. In England, trustees have permanent authority to borrow in such cases, and the exercise of their borrowing powers isinot restricted to the same extent as in New Zealand. SCENIC RESERVES. Provision for the taking of opossums from scenic reserves is made m the Scenery Preservation Act Amendment Bill, introduced and read a first time in the House this afternoon. The Bill also increases the penalties for damage to scenic reserves by fire. Another provision allows a landowner to apply to have an area of land declared a private scenic reserve, to which the provisions of the Act would apply. Under another clause steps can be taken to obtain the value of any timber unlawfully removed from a reserve. TELEPHONE REVENUE. According to a return laid on the table of the House to-day by the Postmastergeneral (Mr A. Hamilton) the total number of telephone connections in New Zealand for the half year ended June 30, 1932, was 91,647. The total number of connections renewed for the half year ended September 30, 1932, was 90,584, a decrease of 1063. In each total party lines have been regarded as single connections. The total revenue derived from telephone connections for the half year ended June 30, 1932, is given as £580,056, and the revenue for the period from April 1 to October 31, 1932, as £675,353, CONTROL OF SIDESHOWS, Power to make by-laws for the control of sideshow men is given to agricultural and pastoral societies under the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Act Amendment Bill, which was introduced this afternoon and read a first time, REVENUE FROM CUSTOMS TAXATION.

According to a return tabled in the House to-day the collection of revenue amounting to £8,507,019 by the Customs Department during the year ended March 31 last cost £97,550, the rate per cent, thus being £1 2s lid. Auckland headed the revenue figures with £2,725,559. Wellington was next with £2.564,700, and Lyttelton third with £1,113,615.

PLEA FOR COUNTRY STOREKEEPERS.

In the House,of Representatives this afternoon Mr Burnett asked the Minister of Finance (Mr Coates) to consider measures for the relief of country storekeepers throughout the Dominion. During the economic crisis, he explained, these storekeepers had performed a splendid national service by feeding, and in many cases clothing, settlers who were . down and out and were without a vestige of security. If it had not been for their generous work the demands pn the funds of the Unemployment Board and charitable aid boards would certainly have been much greater. NATIONALITY OF WOMEN.

Mrs M'Combs gave notice in the House to-day to ask the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Hamilton) if he would amend the British Nationality (Status of Aliens) Act to make provision under which New Zealand women marrying aliens would have the right to retain their own nationality. It has already been announced that the' Government intends to proceed with an amendment of this nature during the current session. UNFINISHED PUBLIC WORKS.

Mr Veitch asked the Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) to-day to set up a parliamentary committee to examine and make recommendations on unfinished public works of all kinds. Many of these, he maintained, were causing serious economic loss to the Dominion. COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION. An explanatory memorandum to the Arbitration Clauses (Protocol) and Arbitration (Foreign Awards) Bill, which was read a first time in the House of Representatives to-day, says that the Dominion of New Zealand is a party both to the protocol on arbitration clauses and to the convention on the execution of foreign arbitral awards. In order that full effect could be given in the United Kingdom to the protocol and convention the Imperial Parliament had passed legislation on the subject and it was thought advisable that similar action should be taken in New Zealand. The protocol is concerned with the recognition by courts exercising jurisdiction in the territory of the contracting state of the validity in commercial contracts of agreements to the effect that disputes arising out of such contracts shall be submitted to arbitration. The convention deals with the enforcement by courts exercising jurisdiction in the territory of the contracting state of awards made in the territories of other contracting states.