PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19147, 2 November 1927, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

•HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, November 1. In the House of Representatives today, by (Jovernor-General's message, an amendment to the Lands for Settlement Act was brought down. The Minister for Lands explained that the amendment was made by the Legislative Council, but, being an appropriation clause, it had to be brought down by message Briefly, it acknowledged the right to compensation by a holder qf a Crown leasehold, with right of renewal, for the full period of that renewal in the event or the lease beiucr prematurely termmatedTho following Bills were introduced and read a first time: Music Teachers Registration Bill (Sir John Luke)* Napier Foreshore Bill (Mr J. Mason). The House then went into committee on the Rural Intermediate Credit Bill. (Tho discussion is reported elsewhere.) The Hon. Mr Eolleston moved the second reading of the Hutt Valley Land Settlement Amendment Bill, which, he said, dealt with the housing problem of this settlement. Before being admitted to a house allotted to him, a tenant was expected to sign an agreement, and the Bill was intendel to give legal effect to that agreement, and so to prevent speculation in these houses. The Bill was read a second time. On the' motion of the Minister for Labour the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Inspection of Machinery Amendment Bill were agreed to. The Hon. Mr Rolleston moved the second reading of the Police Offences Bill, which he said, consolidated seven enactments, and made no change in the present law. The second reading was agreed to without debate.

TTie Houss went into committee on the Hutt Valley Lands Settlement Amendment Bill which was reported without amendment. The _ Police Offences Bill was nest taken in committee. Mr J. Mason (Napier) urged upon the Minister the necessity for amendment of the law by which punishment for "converting motor-cars" should be increased. This was really theft, and cases were multiplying daily. The present penalty of a £2O fine seemed quite inadequate to check the spread of the crime.

The Minister said he could not accent any such amendment in a consolidating Bill, but the matter would have the attention of the Government. The Bill was reported without amendment. The Introduction of Plants Bill was also reported without amendment. In renly to the Trader of the Opposition. the Prim© Minister announced , that the first order of the day for tomorrow would hp the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill. I The House rose at 11 p.m.