PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 228, 26 September 1928, Page 17

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

JOTTINGS FROM THE GALLERY

A LATE SITTING. ' FLICKERING TO ITS CLOSE." (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The unexpected appearance of the Public Works Statement and Estimates in the House of Representatives this afternoon was only another indication that the life of the present Parliament is flickering to its close. The Statement was not discussed, the Prime Minister promising that Friday or Monday, or some other day, would be devoted to discussion. The greater part of the afternoon was occupied in colourless debates on Select Committee reports, and about an hour before the dinner adjournment the Health Minister's Mental Defectives Amendment Bill was called on for further consideration in committee. The weary debate which followed dragged on for hours, and developed into an all night sitting.

Engineers Registration. The Lands Committee has reported on the Engineers Registration Amendment Bill. It has made an amendment to empower the registration of persons who five years prior to the passing of the 1924 Act had been engaged in the acquisition of professional knowledge to the satisfaction of the registration board, or, being a licensed surveyor, a person shall satisfy the board that prior to the operation of the 1924 Act he had practical experience in engineering as part of his practice. These applicants must apply for registration within six months. Amateur Boxing. No recommendation was made by the M to Z Committee on the petition of Mr. E. L. Macassey and 197 others, asking that amateur boxing be given statutory recognition, and for the amendment of the Police Offences Act in so far as it relates to amateur boxing. Sales by Auction.

A clause in tlie Auctioneers Bill as originally introduced in the House providing for lots to be sold to the highest bidder at sales of fish, shellfish, fruit, or vegetables, but which was thrown out on the recommendation of the Statutes Revision Committee, has been reinserted by the Agricultural and Pastoral Committee of the Legislative Council. New Bank Bill. j The London and New Zealand Bank, Limited Bill was reported back to the Legislative Council to-day by the Special Committee to which it was referred, with a number of amendments chiefly designed to make the provisions of the measure legally more explicit. A new provision has been added "that the busihess of banking may be commenced upon publication in the "Gazette" of a notice under the hand of the Governor-General to tfie effect that he is satisfied that the required amount of capital has been paid up."