BOROUGH BILL

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160733, 20 August 1920, Page 2

BOROUGH BILL

EASY PASSAGE. (By Telegraph—Special to “Herald”). WELLINGTON, Aug. 20. The Hotise rendered good service to Wanganui last night in puttitig the Borough Employees’ Bill through all stages at one sitting without amendment. Mr Veitch, member in charge, asked that the Bill be regarded as urgent because its passage would prevent a case coming before the Privy Council within the next week or ten days. If this could be done it was estimated by the borough solicitor that law costs amounting to between £4OO and £SOO would be saved. When the Bill was in committee Mr Veitch suggested that as the Government intended bringing down legislation dealing with power to control the rates of interest, the interest limitation clause might be made elastic by adding to the words five and a half per cent, “or such rate as the Government in Council prescribes from time to time.” Mr McCombs strongly objected to the principle of amendment as the Lyttelton Harbour Board had already secured statutory power to borrow money on a 5y 2 limit. Mr Hockley recommended the withdrawal of the proposal as the Local Bills Committee had already determined to make a uniform limitation of interest. Mr Veitch accepted this advice. The Bill then passed all stages without amendment. It now proceeds to the Legislative Council.