PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 19850, 30 October 1936, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

■ RUSH OF BILLS.

Five Disposed Of.

J&UCKS "PROTEST. ON STATUTES AMENDMENT BILL (By Teiegrapn.—Press Association). WELLINGTON, Oct. 30. In the House of Representatives to-day the Local Legislation Bill and the Thames Harbour Bill were read a second time, with little discussion. Speaking on the second reading of the Native Land Amendment Bill, Mr. Langstone outlined the progress of native land development schemes, which he said had been *" more useful to the natives than any other schemes in recent years. The I Bill gave power to the Board of Nafive Affairs to do many things which were required in the development of native land, and the settlement of natives on their own land.

The second reading was carried. The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill was read a second time without discussion. The Coal Mines Amendment B' was also read a second time, after Mr. P. C. Webb, Minister for Mines, had explained its object was the safety of the lives of miners. He thought the provision of rescue stations was absolutely necessary, and said the cost would be about £3OOO, which would be met by a small levy on coal. The first station would probably be in the Grey area. These five Bills were then put through the committee stages and passed. Mr. H. G. R. Mason moved the second reading -of the Statutes Amendment Bill and said it cleaned up many things that required cleaning up. Mr. G. W. Forbes protested against a Bill of that length being brought down in the dying hours of the session. He thought the Bill should have been referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Prime Minister, Mr. M. J. Savage, suggested the second reading should be passed as soon as possible, and the committee stago could then be taken, and as they reached the clauses they could decide what clauses should be held over.

The second reading was carried