DOMINION PARLIAMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18395, 31 July 1931, Page 8

DOMINION PARLIAMENT

TO-DAY’S SITTING. COINAGE BILL. . ENQUIRIES TO BE MADE. TO ASCERTAIN ADVANTAGES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday.' In the House of Representatives today, Mr C. A. Wilkinson, Independent—Egmont), moved the second reading of the Silver and Copper Coinage Bill. The Speaker, the Hon. Sir Charles Sfatham, pointed out that the Bill involved the expenditure of Crown money and could therefore not be put through as a private member's measure. The Prime Minister, the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes, suggested that the second reading might be taken to enable members’ views to be heard. The question whether the Bill should be allowed to proceed could be raised later. Speaking during the debate on the second reading, Mr Forbes said he was having inquiries made as to what would be the financial advantages of a Bill of such a nature. It been announced in the Budget that New Zealand was to receive half the profits made on coinage manufactured for the Dominion by the British Mint. After the Bill had been read a second time the Speaker formally ruled it out of order. Regulation of Reports. Moving the second reading of the Judical Proceedings (-Regulation of Reports) Bill, Mr P. Fraser (Labour — Wellington Central), said it was drafted along the lines of the British Act which had given every satisfaction. The Bill would have the effect of making newspapers careful about anything they published, and aimed at prohibiting the publication of filth. There was no attempt to turn courts into Star Chambers, and under the measure the public would learn all the information to which it was entitled. The Bill was supported by leading churchmen throughout the Dominion, and other authorities, said Mr Fraser. The Minister of Justice, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, said the bill was almost word for word, the same as the English Act, but there was one important omission. The English Act provided that the consent of the AttorneyGeneral should be obtained before any action was taken under the nleasure, and he considered that this was an important stipulation. Mr R. A. Wright (Reform —Wellington Suburbs) supported the bill, pointing out that it was in the interests of young people. The bill was read a second time. 1 other Business. The War Minister’s Profits Bill (Mr J. McCombs, Labour —Lyttelton) was ruled out on the ground that it involved taxation. The remainder of the morning was devoted to the debate on the amendment to the second reading of Mr Lysnar’s Meat Export Conrol Amendment Bill. The House adjourned at 1 p.m. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS BILL. REFERRED TO COMMITTEE. FOR TAKING OF EVIDENCE. WELLINGTON, Friday. Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill (Mr H. Holland, Reform —Christchurch N.) was read a second time pro forma in the House of Representatives to-day and referred to the Education Committee for the taking of evidence. PILLS INTRODUCED. WELLINGTON, Friday, The House of Representatives met st 10.30 o’clock this looming. Notice was given of intention to introduce the following bills: Auckland Harbour Board and Other Local Bodies Empowering Bill (Air W. E. Parry, Labour —Auckland Central); Christchurch Estuary and Rivers Conservancy Bill (Mr ,T. McCombs, Labour— Lyttelton); Christchurch District Drainage Amendment Bill (Mr E. J. Howard, Labour —Christchurch S.); Marriage Amendment Bill (Mr H. G R. Mason (Labour —Auckland Suburbs) ; Rating Amendment Bill (Mr Mason).