PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18159, 25 October 1930, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

APPROPRIATION BILL. SECOND READING PASSED, OTHER MATTERS DISCUSSED. (By Telegram.—Press Association.) ■ WELLINGTON, Friday. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 this morning. The small' arms ammunition contract w r as again discussed and members placed on record the view’s, ex-, pressed during the Committee stage of the Finance Bill. Mr W. D. Lysnar (Independent— Glsborne) urged the Government not to bring the session to a close without putting on the Statute Book some legislation altering the constitution of the Meat' Board. Mr W. J. Poison (Independent— Stratford) advocated the institution of an agricultural bank and the extension of the rural credit facilities. Mr Ransom replied briefly to the debate in the evening, and the Appropriation Bill was read a second time. The Committee stage was completed at 8.30 p.m., and the Bill was reported to the House without amendment. The Acting-Prime Minister asked for the leave of the House to take three local bills, also the Kawarau Gold Mining Amalgamation Bill and the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, before . going on with the third reading of the Appropriation Bill. Roforfm members objected to the inclusion of the In- '- dustrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill in work, for which urgency had been granted.

After an explanation of the Bill by the Minister of Labour it was excluded from the list. The Kawarau Goldmining Amalgamation Bill was put through the remaining stages and passed. Subsequently the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill was taken.

FURTHER BUSINESS,

SEVERAL BILLS PASSED. “RINGING OF BELLS.” .tsissu. - (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. The Legislative Council met at 9.30 a.m. to-day. The Kaw’arau Gold Mining Amalgamation Bill was put through all its stages and passed, and the Council adjourned at 9.40 until the ringing of bells. The House of Representatives met at 9.30 a.m.. .The Acting-Prime. Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, intimated that it was intended to take six private members’ Bills on the understanding that none took more than a quarter of an hour each. The following were put through Committee with minor amendments: —- Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill (Mr H. G. R. Mason), (Labour —Auckland Suburbs) ;' Destitute Persons’ Amendment Bill (Mr W. E. Barnard), (Labour —Napier); and the Property Law Amendment Bill (Mr Mason). The remainder of ,the morning was -'devoted to the presentation of reports from select committees.

The House adjourned at 1 p.m. till the ringing of hells.

THE FILM TAX.

NEGOTIATIONS FAIL.

STATEMENT BY SIR V. WILSON

WELLINGTON, Friday

Following the statement of the Acting-Prime Minister on the cinema film situation, Sir Victor Wilson, who represents some of the film-renting corporations, said to-day that he had explored unsatisfactorily every avenue to a settlement.

“ I can only say that I am astonished at the attitude of the Government, as I thought the Government fully realised what a serious thing it is for the exhibitors of New Zealand. The embargo was really quite unnecessary, and it does not help the position. The various corporations I represent jyere quite prepared to contions, but the laws of the country will not permit them to do so. It is not for me to dictate to the Government as to its laws. All I call say is that we cannot trade under the conditions imposed.” “So it is a stalemate?” Sir Victor was asked. “ You can say that if you like,” he replied. “ I fully realise the seriousness of the position and regret it. Indeed, I have cabled to Australia to put it off until next week. The Government I consider should legislate to bring films in, not shut them out, for closed theatres only mean the one thing—the bailiff and I am very, anxious that such an alUernalive should not he necessary.”