LEGISLATURE AMENDMENT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 33, 3 November 1920, Page 7

LEGISLATURE AMENDMENT

1 3 MAORI ELECTIONS., ) " Sir Francis 801 l yesterday introduced in the Legislative Council the Legisla- . ture Amendment Bill. The expkna- ' tory memorandum accompanying ' till J Bill states that the Bill postpones the oommoncement of section 25 of the Legislature Amendment Act, 1914, wind provides that Maori elections of men); , bers of Parliament shall be conducted i in the same manner as European elections. Owing to the dislocation ol public business by the war it has nol been possible to prepare rolls of NaiWw electors. _ A person who has entered into, ol \ enters into, any contract with the Government is by section 2 of the Legislature Aot, 1908, disqualified from sitting in the Legislative Counoil, and by see tion 24 is disqualified from sitting. in the House o£ Representatives. Thers is a penalty of .£SO per diem for sitting if disqualified, which may be sued foi and recovered by any person. Both see tions provide 'that a "contract" does nol include—. . (b) Any sole, purchase, or agreement for taking of land, or: of or for- any eslwhs, interest, or wsjaraent therein, under any law or statute empowering the King or the Governor, or any person. on his behalf, .to take, purchase, or acquire any lands, or any estate, interest, 1 or easement thorein for any publlo works or for any other public purpose whatsoever. Certain legal opinions have bean given to the effect that the exception only applies whore lands . are compulsorilj taken. At the present time contracts for the purchase of land for soldiers and contracts for leases of buildings required for public offices are of necessity occasionally made with members of Parliament or with firms or association* Ejiic\ include a member of Parliament, The law has not hitherto been understood in tho manner indicated, and the Bill" propose? to amend the law. in such manner as to accord with the original intention of the Act, and thoreby enable tlio Government to acquire lands oi oiuces without the restriction created by the new interpretation.