PARLIAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16641, 25 January 1922, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. ANIMALS PROTECTION. The Animals Protection and Game Bill was committed. The Hon W. J. Geddis moved to strike out of the Bill the power given to a Justice of the Peace to authorise a ranger to enter a house by day or night if the ranger has reason to believe that preparations are being made to break the law in relation to the protection of game. The Minister agreed to make a Magistrate instead of a Justice the authorising officer for the issue of a warrant. This was agreed to by the Council, Mr Geddis withdrawing his amendment. The Hon G. M. Thomson, on behalf of the committee to which the Bill was referred, moved to strike out of the clause covering offences the words providing that the onus of proof of lawful authority should be on the person charged. The clause applies particularly to persons found in possession of the feathers, oggs or skins of protected birds or animals. The Minister would not accept this amendment, which was rejected by 15 to 10. On the motion of the Minister, bittern feathers specially prepared for use os lures for fishing, were excepted from the provisions of the clause. The Hon W. W. Snodgrass moved to strike out of the Bill the sub-clause giving power to allow the coursing of hares. This was lost on the voices. The Hon G. M. Thomson moved a new clause making it an offence, punishable by fine not exceeding £25, to promote or take part in a live pigeon shooting match from traps. This was carried bv 12 to 9, after the Minister had refused to accept it. A new clause was added on the motion of the Hon C. H. Izard, to give the Governor-General power to regulate the keeping and disposal of, but not the sale of, imported and native game. The Bill was reported with amendments and passed. The Council rose at 5.33 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTA. TIVES. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. MORTGAGES. Replying to Mr Poland, Mr Massey said the Government could not possibly bring in legislation making a reduction of mortgages in the Waikato compulsory. He thought the proportion of farmers there who could not pay interest was small in comparison with farmers who could. A STATEMENT WITHDRAWN. In the course of a personal explanation, Mr Wright (Wellington Suburbs) said that a few evenings ago he made a certain statement reflecting on the Assistant Public Service Commissioner. He made the statement on what he believed to be the best of authority, but since it had been questioned by the Prime Minister and other members he made further inquiries, and now found it had no foundation in fact. He, therefore, hnd decided to withdraw the statement in question. INFLUENZA. In the course of a statement the Hon C.. J, Parr said that tho attention of all medical officers at ports hnd been called to the influenza epidemic in Britain, and they’ had been instructed to be especially vigilant in inspecting passengers landing from overseas vessels. The remainder of the sitting was occupied in discussing reports of the Public Petitions Committees. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. RETRENCHMENT. The House went into committee on the Public Expenditure Adjustment Bill. (A report of* the discussion appears in another column.)