PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18778, 28 October 1932, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

STOLEN MOTOR CARS. ANOMALY* IN CRIMES ACT. INVESTIGATION MAY BE MADE. (By Telegraph.—-Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. ■Mr R. A. Wright (Government— Wellington Suburbs) asked the Minister of Justioe in the House of Representatives to-day if his attention had been drawn to a serious anomaly in the Crimes Act in relation to the conversion of motor-cars to which Mr Justlcs Herdman had drawn publio notice, and if so would legislation be introduced this session to adjust tne anomaly. Mr Wright explained that His Honour instructed the Jury to acquit accused persons charged with stealing a motor-car, stating that under the present law he had no alternative. The Minister of Justice, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, In reply, said he had not yet ‘Seen the report to which Mr Wright referred. He gave an assurance that if an adjustment were necessary a very close investigation of the position would be made. LOCAL BODIES. REDUCTION OF RENTALS. QUESTION OF REPEAL. (3y Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. •In the House of Representatives to-day, Mr Jones (Government Dunedin South), asked the Prime Minister whether he would give an assurance that it was not the intention of the Government to repeal the provision in the National Expenditure Adjustment Act providing that local bodies should not be required to reduce rentals to an amount below five per cent of the unimproved value as shown by the district valuation roll. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, said this question had been raised by several members, who had presented representations from various local bodies, and on the other hand requests for relief had been received from lessees. It was the Government’s intention to give an opportunity this session for an Inquiry to be conducted into the matter. It would bring down an amendment, which would be referred to a Select Committee, in order that evidence might be taken for and against the proposal for the repeal of the provision mentioned. RELIEF WORKERS. APPROACH OF CHRISTMAS. EXTRA ‘EMPLOYMENT IMPOSSIBLE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. Replying to Mr A. S. Riohards (Labour —Roskill) in the House ol Representatives to-day, the actingMinister of Labour, the Hon. A'dam Hamilton, said that in view of the heavy call upon the unemployment funds it would not be possible to provide extra working time for relief men between now,and Christmas. It was impossible at the moment to say what further assistance, if any, could be given before' the holiday period. Replying to a further question by Mr Richards, Mr Hamilton said everything possible was being done to induce private employers to take on as many hands as possible.