LAW REFORM BILL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 221, 18 September 1936, Page 7

LAW REFORM BILL

EXPLAINED BY MINISTER [Ter Press Association] WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. In the House of Representatives this afternoon Hon. H. G. R. Mason moved the committal of the Law Reform Bill, which, he said, sought to modify certain rules of law. Recently an influential committee in England, under the chairmanship of the Master of the Rolls, had reported on certain points of law and the Bill was built on 4he report of that committee. At present, in an accident involving a motor vehicle, if the wrongdoer were killed the injured person had no remedy, and the Bill would alter that. The Bill also gave the mother of an illegitimate child certain rights she did not at present possess. Again, at present claims for damages where death occurred could not include funeral expenses. That would be remedied. Under the Bill a number of curious old laws regarding the property of married women and the liability of husbands were removed. He thanked the legal profession, legal members of the House and the Statutes Revision Committee, for the help they had given him in framing the Bill. The Bill received general support, particularly from the legal members of the House. When the House of Representatives resumed this evening, Mr. Mason said it was the Government's intention to bring down a Bill to deal with motorcar insurance, but it would not be this session. There were many complicated matters that had to be dealt with before it could be introduced. The motion for committal was carried and the House went into committee.

Several technical amendments were made to the Bill, which was reported to the House with amendments, read a third time and passed. The Nelson Diocesan Trust Board Empowering Bill, Auckland City Abattoir Bill and Nelson Waterworks Extension Amendment Bill were put through all stages and passed, and the House rose at 9.35 p.m.