LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1933, Page 7

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

BILLS BEFORE PARLIAMENT

ORCHARD FIREBLIGHT LEVY

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

EGMONT NATIONAL PARK

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night.

When the House of Representatives assembled to-day Mr. D. McDougall (Mataura) occupied a seat on the Independent benches and Mr. H. Holland (Christchurch North) moved into his former seat on the Government side of the House. Notice was given of intention to' introduce the following Bills: Immigration Restriction Amendment (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates), War Pensions Amendment, 1933 (Mr. J. A. Lee), Motor Cabs (Mr. H. G. R. Macon), Wellington City and Suburban Highways Construction and Hutt Road Empowering Amendment (Mr. R. Semple), Waimakariri River Improvement Amendment (Mr. H. Holland).

The Orchard Amendment Bill and the Weights and Measures Amendment Bill were introduced by Governor-General’s message and read a first time. Explaining the former measure the Hon. C. E. Macmillan said it was similar to the Bill’ which had been introduced last session. Under the present legislation all orchardists were subject to a levy of 5s an acre to assist in the suppression of fireblight. There were now many orchards growing only citrus or stone fruits which were not subject to fireblight, and it seemed unfair that those orchardists should be called upon to assist in the suppression of a disease which did not affect them. The Bill also made provision for compensation to fireblight committees, members of which at present were serving in an honorary capacity. ARTICLES FOR SALE. The Hon. A. Hamilton, explaining the Weights and Measures Amendment Bill, said it gave effect to certain resolutions adopted at the last Imperial Conference in regard to weights and measures., The provisions would be carried out in conjunction with the British Board of Trade. There was another clause in the Bill which applied only to the Dominion. This gave power to the Labour Department to prosecute persons who kept underweight articles for sale. Under the present legislation it was necessary for an article to have been sold before proceedings could be taken. Mr. R. McKeen (Lab., Wellington South): Will the clause apply to goods sold in packets, tins or bottles? Mr. Hamilton: It applies only to goods represented to be of a certain weight. Mr. McKeen: Some tins of goods which are supposed to contain a pound contain only 12 ounces. Mr. Hamilton: If they are sold as pound tins they will have to contain a pound. ; Messrs. A. S. Richards (Lab., Roskill) and McKeen urged that provision should be made for all goods sold in packets, etc., to be stamped in such a way that the public would not be deceived as to the amount they were purchasing. Mr. Lee asked for more information concerning the resolutions adopted, by the Imperial Conference. The Minister said the resolutions merely dealt with the standard pound weight and the standard yard length. There were no “catches” in the Bill. The object was to keep the New Zealand standard pound and yard in accordance with the corresponding British standards. TO MAINTAIN STANDARDS. Pressed for further details the Minister said the provision was made for a comparison between New Zealand and British standards at regular intervals. The New Zealand yardstick and standard pound weight would have to be sent Home every five years to make sure there was no variation. Mr. F. Langstone (Lab., Waimarino): Will there be a delegation accompanying them (laughter). The House went into committee on the Nurses and Midwives’' Registration Amendment Bill, the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Amendment Bill, the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies’ Amendment Bill, the Arbitration Clauses (Protocol) and Arbitration (Foreign Awards) Bill, the Marriage Amendment Bill and the Judicature Amendment Bill. The Egmont National Park Amendment Bill was introduced by GovernorGeneral’s message and read- a first time. The Hon. E. A. Ransom explained that the Bill consisted mainly of machinery clauses designed to bring the board into conformity with other domain boards. The following Bills were put through the remaining stages and passed: Nurses and Midwives Registration Amendment, National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Amendment, Agricultural and Pastoral Societies’ Amendment, Arbitration Clauses (Protocol) and Arbjtration (Foreign Awards), Marriage Amendment and Judicature Amendment.