THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1928, Page 11

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS. THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE AND LIQUOR Wellington, Last Night. The Methodist Theological College Edson Trust Extension Bill was put through the final stages and passed when the Legislative Council sat today. The Hanmer Crown Leases Bill was received from the House, read a first and second time pro forma and referred to the Lands Committee. The Church of England Empowerin'’ Bill was read a first time. Replying to a lengthy question by Sir James Allen, the Leader of tho Council, Sir Francis Bell, said that a series of questionnaires from tho League of Nations in regard to the feasibility and desirability of codifying international law on subjects of nationality, territorial waters, diplomatic privileges and immunities, responsibility of States for damage done in their territories to i • person or property of foreigners, procedure for international conferences and for the conclusion and drafting ot treaties, had been received by the New Zealand Government on May 5, 1926. A reply was despatched in February, 1927, that the New Zealand Government desired to associate itself in the matter with the replies forwarded to the League by the Imperial Government. A motion by Sir Robert Stout that in the opinion of the Council it is contra bonos mores for a high officer of State such as the Public Trustee to carry on the business of a manufacturer, vendor and encourager of tho use of alcoholic liquors, and that if any trust he has accepted calls upon him so to act he should take the earliest opportunity to discharge himself from the performance of such a trust, was defeated by 21 votes to 5.

After a brief discussion the Captive Birds’ Shooting Prohibition Bill was read a second time by 19 yptes to 3. The Education Amendment Bill of the Hon. G. M. Thomson, proposing non-sectarian religious instruction in schools, was withdrawn. The Orchard and Garden Diseases Bill was put through the final stages and passed without amendment. The Council adjourned at 4.10 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.