PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 23377, 8 December 1937, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

FIVE NEW BILLS INTRODUCED

Rush Of Last-Minute

Legislation

DISCUSSION BEGINS ON ESTIMATES

ALTERATION TO MINING AMENDMENT ACT

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, December 7.

A minor deluge of last-minute legislation descended on the House of Representatives today when five new Bills were introduced by Governor-General’s Message. In addition, there was an amendment under the Constitution Act to the Mining Amendment Act passed by Parliament recently and when all these measures had been considered on their introduction a start was made with the examination of the Supplementary Estimates. The new Bills introduced were the School of Agriculture Bill, providing for the joint administration of Massey and Canterbury Agricultural Colleges, the Sovereign’s Birthday Observance Bill, validating the change in the date of the King’s birthday holiday from December to June, the Health Amendment Bill, bringing the principal legislation up to date after an interval of 17 years, the Agricultural (Emergency Regulations) Bill, which is an annual validating measure, and the Greymouth Harbour Board Reconstitution Bill, providing for an elective instead of a nominated body to administer the harbour. The alteration to the Mining Amendment Act gives effect to a promise made by the Minister of Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb) that the portion of the goldfields revenue retained by the Mines Department to cover the costs of collection would be reduced from 10 per cent, to 5 per cent. The discussion on the Supplementary Estimates was a somewhat desultory affair and the only real note of interest was struck in the evening when Mr S. G. Smith (Nat., New Plymouth) moved an amendment to reduce the amount of the vote for the Industries and Com-

merce Department by £5 as a protest against the increase in bread prices due to the Government’s control scheme. This led to an interesting argument in which the Government’s actions were warmly defended by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan). The consideration of the Estimates was still proceeding at a late hour.