LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ACT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 4, 30 September 1920, Page 6

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ACT

SOLDIERS', SETTLEMENT LAND BILL 1 INTRODUCED

MILITARY DEFAULTERS AND CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

The Legislative Council Amendment Bill wis passed by the Upper House jjjsterday with a new clause, moved by the Attorney-General, suspending further the T operation of the main Act. The Attorney-General stated agaiii that the Govern- ; ' ment was not abandoning the principle of an elective Council.

The coal trouble was mentioned again in the House of Representatives. Mr. Holland suggested that an effort was being made to precipitate industrial trouble on the coalfields, and he asked the Government to investigate some' of the disputes at the mines. The Prime Minister traversed these disputes briefly in his teply..

A Loan Bill, authorising the Government to borrow i£6,000,000 for soldiers' settlement, was introduced.. The Prime Minister stated that the rafe of interest would be 5} per cent., and that the debentures would not be free of income tax. ■ He'expected that an additional sum of .£1,000,000 would be provided for other , accounts. The Westpo'rt Harbour Bill, transferring control of Westport harbour to the i Government, was read a second time after sonie debate. V The second reading of tliei Military Service Amendment Bill, which provides ■ that military offenders may be tried in. the civile courts, instead of courts-martial, fr. ' gave l'islj to a debate regarding defaulters and objectors, Mr. Holland appealed for. j' . an amnesty for conscientious objectors. The Minister of Defertce made a firm \reply, indicating that he would not withdraw pwialtifjs that had been incurred by !■ ' refusal to serve during the war.

Late in the evening the Electric Power Boards Amendment Bill, which embodies the recommendations of a conference held some time ago in Wellington, was read a second time after debate, then tlie Prime Minister, who said that members 3iad been asking Mm to hasten the work of the session, moTed tfy? second reading of the Valuation of Land Amendment Bill. This was under discussion until after midnight.