PARLIAMENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19624, 19 October 1933, Page 10

PARLIAMENT

THE LOWER HOUSE j I SEVERAL BILLS READ A I FIRST TIME By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, October 18. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Mr F. Langstone (Lab. Waimarino), gave notice of intention to introduce the Bank of New Zealand Amendment Bill. Mr W. J. Broadfoot (C. Waitomo), asked whether the Government contemplated overhauling the legislation relating to gold mining, with a view of coping with modern conditions. The Hon. C. E. Macmillan said It was realised that a review was necessary. It would be a task of some magnitude but it was hoped to commence it shortly. Motor Cabs BiU. Introducing the Motor Cabs Bill. Mr H. G. R. Mason (Lab. Auckland Subs.) said that it was designed to prevent certain taxicab companies Irom evading the law of master and servant. He said that some companies were In practice, making an arrangement for hiring the taxicab to the driver Instead of an ordinary contract for employment. The result was to enable the 1 companies to evade the ordinary obit- | gations of employers as to Arbitration Court awards, workers’ compensation for accidents and liability to third parties for negligence of the driver. After a number of members had spoken in support of the Bill, Mr Forbes said he was sympathetic with its object. He thought that it might be possible to deal with the matter under the Municipal Corporations Bill which would be before the House at a later stage of the session. It was also possible that the Minister of Transport might be able to deal with the matter by the issue of regulations. The Bill was read a first time. Immigration Restriction. The Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) extending for two years the provisions of the amendment act of 1931. which expires on December 31 was also introduced and read a first time. The act gives the Government power to ■ prohibit or restrict entry into New Zealand of any specified nationality or race, or of any specified class or occupation. It provides that no person shall land in New Zealand unless he has a permit granted by the Minister. The Wellington City and Suburban Highways Construction and Hutt Road Amendment and Empowering Bill (Mr R. Semple) and the Waimakariri River Improvement Amendment Bill (Mr H. Holland) wree introduced and read a first time. Status of Aliens. Moving the second reading of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand! Amendment Bill, Mr P. Fraser (Lab, Wellington Central), said its object was to grant full rights of British citizenship to New Zealand women who had married aliens. In his opinion they had possessed these rights before 1923. Mrs E. R. McCombs (Lab., Lyttelton) said that the legislation had been 1 asked for by women’s organisations throughout New Zealand. Women were practically speaking with one voice. New Zealand was helping to hold back justice not only from the women of the Dominion, but from the women of other countries. Until New Zealand came into line no action could be taken in Britain. Mr Forbes said the issue was an Empire matter and could only be dealt : with in that light. An endeavour had been made to get uniformity of nat- j ionality for the British Empire. Great Britain had shown no disposition to relax the law that applied to thousands of women compared with New j Zealand’s hundreds. An alteration : would be made if it could be shown ; that the New Zealand iaw was differ- I ent from the English law. Mr M. J. Savage, Leader of the Opposition, said that the Prime Min- i ister desired one law for women and j another for men. It was common | humbug and it was just as well for | the women of New Zealand to realise I it. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, October 18. I The Legislative Council met at 2.30 ! p.m. The Hon. R. McCallum gave notice to introduce the Land Agents Amendment Bill. The Nurses and Mid wives Registra- I tion Bill, the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Amendment Bill, j the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies ; Amendment Bill, the Marriage Amend- j ment Bill, the Judicature Amendment ■ Bill, the Arbitration Clauses (Protocol) and Arbitration (Foreign Awards' Bill were received from th? House, and read a first time. The Council rose at 2.55 p.m. until to-morrow.