THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2841, 4 August 1916, Page 7

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

COMMISSIONER CONTROL ATTACKED COST OF LIVING DAYLIGHT SAVING REJECTED. I The Legislative Council met at 2,30 p.m. yesterday. ' "WASHING-UP BILL." In Comiuitteo on the "Washing-Hp Bi(l," a number of now clauses were introduced and agreed to. ' Ono clause permitted the Jlokau Barbour Board to proceed with river-clean-ing works, aiid to raise a, Joan not ceetling .£IO,OOO. Included in tho new clauses were some amendments to tlio Mining Act, and on this point Sir Francis Bell said that it was impossible at this stage to introduce and pass a number' of new small Bills, and therefore tho Government took the course of offoring these alterations in the Washing-Up Bill without any idea of thus creating a precedent. i Ono of tho amendments rororred to by Sir Francis Bell amended the -Mining Act By granting authority for easements for water-races for irrigation IWposes as well as for mining purposes. A new- cjause amended and extended the provisions of the Horowhenua Lake Act, 1005. The clause had been considered by the Native Lands Committee, and "it was now proposed to establish a board of nine members appointed by tho Governor-sis to be nominated by tho Levin Borough iComioil, and the remaining three from the Native Taco, The Levin Borough Council was also em. powered to expend, money out of its district funds for the improvement of tha Horowlienna Eeserve. •

A new 'clause provided tliat wlien the Governor ivas of the opinion tl?at a tollBate established by a borough council '<vas not necessary, or that the tolls ftere-excessivo and unduly burdensome, be might, by Order-in-Couneil, direct Ihe Council to abolish the toll-gate or to diminish the tolls taken, provided that tho lessee shall not be deprived of t.ho right of compensation for any loss sustained by him. It was further, provided that no toll-site should be established by a borough council without the consent of the Governor-in-Couneil, except at a ferry. , " A new clause, proposed by the Hon. J. G, W. Aitken, was inserted, providing that the 'Governor might by proclamation on the application of the Wellington City Council close the foreshore road or street at the head of Evans Bay. Hospital Boards' Powers, The Hon, K. Moore moved a new clause to permit Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards to borrow by way of overdraft, in. anticipation of current revenue, 6ums of rnojiSy which shall not exceed'the total income of the board for the year ending March' 31 previously. Sir Francis Bell said that this clauso would not be', workable. The overdraft clause which already existed for local bodies was merely being used to enable them to spend two years' revenue in one year, leaving an overdraft to their eucces. sors, which, of course, they did not pay. off. Because of this the position of local bodies' finance was somewhat-- heartbreaking. He would, however, promise that in the recess the Cabinet would coneider the advisability of conferring upon Hospital. Boards the power of getting money in-advance on their revenue, but always with the condition attached, that the bpard shall owe no more, .whether to a depositor or. banker, than the uncollected revenue of that year remaining outstanding. .

The Hon. 'J.' G. W." Aitken' said ha hoped no power would be given to hospi. tal bodies to borrow money. They were in tho best position of all local bodies, because they simply had to tell other bodies what they wanted aid to get' it. He hoped a new method of direct taxation'for Hospital Boards would'bo devised. Sir Francis Bell said that ho had no doubt that tho Minister of Publid Health would, perhaps next year, bring down a measure to revise the whole system of hospital finance, when, probably soma provision would be made in regard to ex. pendituro on large works, and the distribution of the cost over a number of years. The clause was rejected on the voices. Progress was reported, and leave given to sit again. CENSORING' FILMS. Tho Cinematograph Film Censorship Bill was considered in Committee. A new sub-clause was inserted, providing that thero shallbe right of appeal from every decision of a censor to such person or persons and under such. conditions as shall be prescribed by regulations. The Bill was retid a third time ant) passed. The Council adjourned at i p.m.,