PARLIAMENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19623, 18 October 1933, Page 9

PARLIAMENT

THE LOWER HOUSE YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON. October 17. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Mr D. McDougall (Mataura) now occupies a seat on the Independent benches, and Mr H. Holland CC., .Christchurch North) has moved into | his former seat on the Government | side of the House. t Notice was given of intention to introduce the following Bills:—lmmigration Restriction Amendment (Rt. Hon. J G Coates), War Pensions Amendment 1933 (Mr J. A. Lee), Motor Cabs (Mr H. G. R. Mason), Wellington City and Suburban Highways Construction and Hutt Road Empowering Amendment (Mr R. Semple), Waimakariri Improvement Amendment (Mr H. Holland). The Orchard Tax Amendment Bill and the Weights and Measures Amendment Bill were introduced by Governor-General's Message in the House of Representatives to-day, and read a first time. Explaining the former measure, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan said that it was similar to the Bill which had been introduced last session. Under the present legislation all orchardists were subject to a levy of 5/- an acre to assist in the suppression of fireblight. There were now many orchards growing only citrus or stone fruits which were not subject of fireblight, and it seemed unfair that these 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, the members of which at the present time were serving in an honorary capacity. The Whakatane Harbour Board Vesting Bill (Hon. C. E. Macmillan) was introduced and read a first time. The House went into committee on the Nurses and Midwives Registration Amendment Bill, the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Amendment Bill, 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. Bills Passed. The following Bills were put through their remaining stages and passed:— Nurses and Midwives Registration Amendment, National Art Gallery tnd Dominion Museum Amendment, Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Amendment, Arbitration Clauses (Protocol) and Arbitration (Foreign Awards), Marriage Amendment, and Judicature Amendment. Speaking during the committee stage of the Marriage Amendment Bill, Mr C. L. Carr (Lab., Timaru) said there had been some misapprehension regarding a question but by the late Leader of the Opposition as to whether there had been any opposition from the churches. This question related solely to the point of recognition of women as authorised ministers to conduct the marriage service. The House rose at 9.30 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.