DAYLIGHT BILL HAS OCCUPIED HOUSE FOR MANY HOURS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18208, 15 July 1927, Page 10

DAYLIGHT BILL HAS OCCUPIED HOUSE FOR MANY HOURS.

MEMBER WORKS OUT COST TO COUNTRY. (Special to the “Star. ) WELLINGTON, July 14. J Daylight Bill. Incidentally remarking that he could speak happily as he had a sort .of independent air, Mr Glenn (Rangitikci) waxed eloquent to-night in his condemnation of Mr Sidey’s Daylight Saving Bill. He said that it had been before Parliament eighteen times, and asked members to think of . the. cost of the time wasted in considering the measure. “What does Parliament cost ?” asked Mr Glenn. “£6O an hour. Multiply that by nineteen years and see what it costs." (Loud laughter.) A voice: “Still in the dark." At a later stage Mr Campbell professed to have worked out the problem. Taking this session as an average he estimated the cost of the Bill at £6321 17s 9d. (Laughter.) Mr Howard: “9£d.” Mr Fraser: “Are you giving any discount ? ” Not Among the Chosen. As the penalty for intransigeance it would appear that Mr Harris is to be left off the Industries and Commerce Committee this session. For the last few’ years Mr Harris has been chairman of this committee. A few days ago the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon A. D. M’Leod, gave notice that he would move for the setting up of an Industries and Commerce Committee. The names of the ten members, he said, he would propose did not include that of Mr Harris. In the House to-day sixteen select committees were appointed for the session, but the constitution of the Industries and Commerce Committee was held over. “ Are you to reconstruct No. 9 (Industries and Commerce Committee)?" inquired Mr Sullivan (Avon) of Mr M’Leod, smiling at Mr Hams as he put the question. Mr Harris returned the smile, but no Ministerial answer was given. Work and Pleasure. From the arguments addressed by the opponents of Mr Sidey’s Summer Time Bill in the House to-night if would appear that “Work for, the night is coming” is the farmers’ anthem. Those against the measure were afraid that the farmer would have to work harder than he does now if the Bill became law. The Minister of Lands, the lion A. D. M’Leod, however, put forward the view that work and still more work is necessary for the country’s economic salvation. “This country will have to think about work more than it has ever done before and think hard about it," said Mr M’Leod. “I am afraid that there is altogether too much behind what is often said as a joke: ‘lf work interferes with pleasure cut out work.’ I think that if pleasure interferes with work that it will be necessary to cut out a bit of the pleasure.”

“Ruined by Act of Parliament.’* Setting out that he was ruined financially by the enactment of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924, which stipulated the use of one specific type of motor car number plate, Frederick James Lake, of 40, St Andrew’s Road, Epsom, formerly manufacturer of registration plates, has petitioned for a compassionate allowance as compensation for loss created by an Act of Parliament. Fie says that he started as agent for the Auckland Motor Numbers Company in 1922 and after twelve months being satisfied that it was a profitable proposition, he bought the New Zealand business, including pat-

ent rights. He borrowed the necessary money and took charge, doubling the output in two months. When the Act was passed his product became illegal, and the factory door had to be .closed. “I got plenty of sympathy, btit not the kind to encourage the butcher and baker to call," he states. “Driven to the verge of desperation I was compelled to deposit my troubles in the Bankruptcy Court. I looked on the patent as the word of the King. I felt secure, never dreaming that anything could confiscate my all as long as I kept the patent in force. At present I am at my wits’ end trying to keep my family out of debt.” Mr Potter presented the petition.

Marriage Ceremony. Provision for the appointment of per- j sons to conduct marriage ceremonies j on behalf of religious bodies whose rules do not recognise the office of a . minister is made in the Marriage * Amendment Bill, which has been intioduced in the House by the Minister for , Internal Affairs (Mr Bollard). An adherent of such a body may have his ; name entered on the list of officiating ministers on t'he petition in writing of

ten adult members} of the body to which he belongs. Control of Buses. Mr T. M. Wilford’s Motor Omnibus Traffic Amendment. Bill, which has been introduced in the House, seeks the repeal of the clauses in the principal Act, which give the right of appeal from the decision of a licensing authority as to the sufficiency of any existing or proposed facilities for the transport of passengers, or the granting or refusing of a license to establish a bus service. Weight Tags on Meat. A suggestion that cut meats displayed in butchers’ shops should bear a weight tag in addition to a price tag

is containued in a question, notice of which was given by Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) in the House to-day. Mr Wilford asked the Minister for Labour whether he will have an amendment to this effect made in the Weights and Measures Act, thus bringing it into line with the law in England and in South Africa. The enforcement of such an enactment, he said, would enable purchasers to calculate readily the price per pound they were paying for their meat.

Workers’ Compensation. The accident branch of the State Insurance Office discloses a satisfactory fall in the claim ratio from 61.15 per cent to 58.03 per cent last year, but the ratio in the workers’ compensation business alone, though lower, did not fall to the same extent. The general manager points out that as a result of the workers’ compensation amendments which came into operation on January 1. there were substantial benefits to workers with no consequential increase in the rates paid by employers. The margin for working expenses, e*c., will be much narrower than ever before. and even with the strictest economy in administration, it may be doubted whether workers’ compensation business as a whole will show an underwriting profit.

Heavy Fire Loss. A sharp increase of 7.7 S per cent over the claim ratio is shown in claims for fire loss incurred during the year, the amount being £79.062. Many claims were due tq defective workmanship in buildings, particularly in the country, where supervision is lax or entirely absent, but a far greater number arose from carelessness or indifference, factors more apparent when there is finan-

cial stress than when conditions are prosperous. Fire Board levies cost the office 2.68 per cent of premium income, as against 2.40 per cent in 1925; income tax absorbed £15,073, or 7.63, per cent compared with £10,242, or 5.8 per cent in 1925. The Office has in recent years paid far more in income tax on fire income than any other office. Compulsory Military Service. Mr J. A. Lee's Compulsory Military Service Repeal Bill, which was read a first time to-day, would repeal Parts IV. and VI. of the Defence Act. These parts define who shall train, the period of training, and similar matters. The Bill does not propose any change in the remainder of the 1909 Act, which provides for regulations, permanent forces and rifle clubs. Imperial Affairs. The report of the Imperial Conference was laid on the table by the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives to-day, and a definite arrangement -was made that this and the New Zealand contribution to the Singapore naval base would be discussed by members next week. A statement regarding Singapore by the Prime Minister has been printed, and was formally presented to Parliament.