IN THE HOUSE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 25 July 1934, Page 4

IN THE HOUSE.

Notes and Comments From Parliament. ’ FOU R YEAR PARLIAMENTS. (“Star” Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, July 24. The net result of to-day’s work in the House was the passage of three Bills, the Mutual Fire Insurance, Opticians Amendment and Stock Remedies. The whole of the afternoon was devoted to discussions on 4 motion to introduce a Bill to authorise four-year Parliaments, and also bring licensing legislation into line with the election period. The Opposition, after strenuous protests against the principle of the measure, forced a division, which was defeated by 37 to 27, and the Bill was introduced. After the passage of the three Bills mentioned in the evening sitting, the House considered the Poisons Bill, which was given its second reading and had reached the committee stage when the adjournment was taken. To-morrow, written replies to questions will be considered. Relief Workers’ Compensation. Pointing out that relief workers who met with accidents received only twothirds of their pay while incapacitated, severe hardship thus being inflicted on their wives and families. Mr O’Brien (Westland) asked in the House to-day if the Minister of Employment would take steps to have relief workers paid adequate compensation. Demonstration Farm. Seeking information as to the progress of the Land Department’s scheme to establish a demonstration farm on the foothills of South Canterbury, Mr Burnett (Temuka) gave notice to-day to ask the Minister of Lands what had been done in respect to this subject State Coal. Requesting an inquiry into the shortage of Liverpool coal at the State coal depot in Christchurch Mr O’Brien (Westland) and Mr Webb (Buller) in a joint question to the Minister of Mipes said the Liverpool State mine at Rewanui had worked very short time all the year, and if depots were kept short of coal while men and mines were idle drastic steps should be taken to ensure a full supply of State coal at all depots.

Supervision of Hotels. A request for closer supervision of hotels to check illegal trading was made by Mrs M’Combs (Lyttelton) in the House to-day in a question addressed to the Hon J. G. Cobbe. She stated that at the Riccarton murder inquest two witnesses gave evidence of drinking in the hotel after closing hours, and she asked the Minister to take steps to effect closer supervision of hotels,- particularly after hours on Sundays. Stock Remedies Bill. The statement by Mr Savage last week, that no demand had been made for the introduction of the Stock Remedies Bill, was denied by Mr Kyle (Riccarton) in the House to-night during the second reading debate on the Bill. Mr Kyle said that farmers’ unions had asked for it, and a Labour member, Mr Lee Martin, had also asked for it. Not only had farmers wanted it, but manufacturers of remedies had also asked for it. Mr Howard (Christchurch South) said that it was something very different which Mr Lee Martin asked for. Mr Howard added that, although the Health Act provided for examination of medicines for human beings, remedies still were being sold which were not what they purported to be It would be the same with stock medicine's.