HOUSE IN SESSION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16475, 20 October 1927, Page 4

HOUSE IN SESSION

many matters discussed

GUARDIANSHIP OF INFANTS (Fer Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. In moving the second reading of the Guardianship of lnlants Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives today, the Hon. F. J. Eolleston said the jtiil was designed to confer on magistrates tho power to give consent to the marriage of “infants.” Ho explained that it was intended to do this in last 3'ear’s amending Bill, but the intentions of the Legislature in this respect were defeated by the previous clause, which restricted the jurisdiction of the magistrates with regard to applications under tho Act, to cases where children wero under 16 years of age. The, Bill was read a second time without discussion. NOXIOUS PLANTS CONTROL On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, tho Hon. A. T). McLeod moved the second reading of the Introduction of Plants Bill which, tho Minister explained, was intended to control the introduction into tho Dominion of new plants. Many people were, bringing in plants that were an absolute danger to the country and this must be stopped. Mr. W. M. Field said it was a pity tho Bill was not brought in 20 years ago, as there were many noxious weeds which might have been stopped. The Bill was read a second time and referred to the Agricultural Committee. Tho Public Service Superannuation Bill was considered m committee. Mr. D. G. Sullivan asked the Minister if ho were prepared to do anything in the way of providing superannuation for nurses.

Tho Hon. W. Nosworthy said ho had not forgotten it.

Mr. M. J. Savage urged that the widow of a superannuate should have a more liberal allowance than £lB per annum. It would, of course, mean a more costly scheme, but it should bo done. Moreover, the whole scheme required a, careful overhaul.

Mr. T. K. Sidey said there, were other cases equally deserving of consideration. Would there he further legislation brought down this session? The Hon. W. Nosworthy said no further legislation would he brought down this session, but a committee would he set up to go into the various matters, and he. hoped to introduce a Bill on the subject rlext session. The Bill was subsequently reported, without amendment.

The Bill-s reported wore then read a third time and passed. MINOR MATTERS

The Minister of Labor moved the third reading of the Inspection of Machinery Bill, which was agreed to aftfr a brief debate, and the Bill was passed. The House then went, into committee on the Bankruptcy Amendment Bill, which was reported with minor amendments made by tho Statutes Revision Committee.

The Magistrate’s Court Amendment Bill was reported with minor amendments.

Answers by Ministers to questions by members of the House were:—

That inquiries are being made as to whether the right of appeal against the decisions of the Native Land Court should lie reinstated.

That it is correct that the exhibition of shipping news at the post offices has been discontinued. This service was costing tho Post and Telegraph Department £b(XX) per annum. The question of reinstatement is, however, receiving consideration of the Government.

That the question of making some provision for tli© families of persons totally and permanently incapeitated is receiving consideration by the Government atthe present time.