CONDENSED NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16875, 27 October 1922, Page 9

CONDENSED NEWS.

AN OVERNIGHT SUMMARY. The Prime Minister said yesterday that he would have a clause drafted authorising county councils to refund overpaid rates, and endeavour to have 1 it passed this session. In committee on the Mining Act Amendment Bill the House yesterday struck out clause 11, imposing a fee of 5 per cent on the collection of gold duty. The Bill was read a third time and passed. A Bill to permit a liquor poll being taken in the Huron tn Maori Council District (East Coast) has been read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill, the Dairy Industry An Amendment Bill and the Stone Quarries Act Amendment Bill were read a third time by the House yesterday and passed. “ There will be no improper interference with public servants who desire to take part in political meetings,” said Mr Massey yesterday. The Prime Minister added that at the same time public servants ought to know when to draw the line. There were some things which would bo right and proper in a private individual which would not be discreet on the part of a public servant. Sir William Merries explained in the House yesterday' that the Legislature Act Amendment Bill was designed to enable a civil servant to stand for Parliament if granted leave by the Public Service Commissioner. N* salary would be paid during the time he was contesting an election. 'Hie Bill was reported without amendment, read a third time, and passed. The Legislative Council passed the >tamp Duties Bill last night dfter several members had protested against the actidn of the Government in delaying such an important measure until the last few days of the session. The Council agreed to pas« the Bill on the understanding that the amendments proposed by the Statutes Revision Co™ mittee would bo considered by the Government-