THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 23372, 15 September 1939, Page 14

THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

MEAT BILL PASSES SEVERAL OTAGO BILLS TAIERI RIVER TRUST LOAH [From Oott Parliamextakv Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 19. Parliament’s major legislative effort yesterday w'as the passing of the Meat Bill. .The withdrawal of the clause prohibiting retail sale of meat by freezing companies removed the main bone of contention, and the Opposition found little into which they could sink their teeth. The Bill reconstructs existing Acts relating to the establishment of municipal abattoirs, the licensing of meat export slaughterhouses, and the export yind inspection of meat. It is to come into operation on April 1, not January 1, as originally provided. Tho Adhesive Stamps Bill and the Hire Purchase Agreements Bill went through committee without amendment, and were read a third time, while the Legal Aid Bill was given a formal second reading and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. During the evening sitting two additional Bills were introduced, these being the Statutes Amendment Bill, a miscellaneous measure containing 61 clauses, and the Wages Protection and Contractors’ Liens Bill. This measure consolidates the law relating to the payment of wages due to workers and money due to contractors. The At-torney-General said the object of the Bill was to remove the confusion and pitfalls to be found in the existing law. The Otago Harbour Board Empowering Bill was passed -without amendment, and there was no discussion. The two Clutha River Improvement Bills on the Order Paper were withdrawn to be replaced by a measure which incorporates their features. This was reported back from the Lands Committee, which recommended that it be proceeded with, but there was no opportunity at to-day’s sitting of including it with the other local Bills on the Order Paper. Another measure relating to Otago, by Governor’s Message, was the Taieri River Improvement Bill. This, it was explained by the Minister of Finance, who has charge of the Bill, gives effect to an arrangement between the Government and the River Trust in connection with a loan of £79,800 due to the Government. It is proposed to reduce the interest rate from 5 to 4’ ( per cent., and to suspend repayment of the principal until 1947, when tliq trust would have redeemed another £20,000 loan, and will then, from normal revenue, be able to resume payment of interest and principal, completing loan repayment on a table basis by 1961. The trust is also empowered to remit arrears of rates, and there is a clause validating the classification of lands within the trust district as approved by the trust last July. It is declared that the area of land outside the new embankment between Henley and Otokia shall be exempt from all repayment rates.