PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 23372, 15 September 1939, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

THIS MORNING'S SITTING MINOR BILLS DEALT WITH [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. September 15. The House met at 10.30 a.m. One day's leave of absence was granted Dr M'Millan on account of sickness in his family. The Supplementary Estimates were introduced by Governor-General’s Message. The Acting Leader of the House, Mr Fraser, in a brief statement before the routine business was commenced, said that members must bo given time to examine the Supplementary Estimates, and. therefore, they would not be taken until this afternoon. The House would dispose of several Bills of a minor nature this morning. At 2.30 to-day. said Mr Fraser, he would be in a position to make a statement on the general effort of New Zealand in connection with the war, and the Minister of Finance would be able to give an outline of the finance connected therewith. The Attorney-General, Mr Mason, moving that the Summary Penalties Bill be committed-, stated that the general principle of the Bill was that there should not be automatic imprisonment in default of payment of fines. In short, the Government wished to avoid imprisonment because of poverty. Tha Bill was committed. Moving the committal of the Legitimation Bill, Mr Mason said its essential purpose was to bring the legitimation law in New Zealand into line with the English law. The Bill was commit■feed. Mr Mason, moving that the Domestic Proceedings Bill be committed, said it dealt with separation proceedings in, a Magistrate’s Court. The purpose of the Bill was to effect reconciliation of parties rather than have them go on with separation proceedings. There was no question of pressure or interference wdth the rights of parties. A similar measure had met with a fair measure of success iu England. Uhe Bill was committed. . _ The Summary Penalties Bill, the Legitimation , Bill, and the Domestic Proceedings Bill were finally put through all stages and passed. _ _ The Washing-up Bill and the Patents Design and Trade Marks Amendment Bill were introduced by GovernorGeneral’s Message. Mr Fraser, explaming the introduction of the second-men-tioned measure, said the Government had decided at first not to introduce it. because it was a formidable piece of legislation. However, it had been approached yesterday by those interested in trade marks and patents, including the member for Kaipara, Mr Coates, who stated that the law as it at present stood provided a great handicap. They had asked that the Bill he allowed to proceed, and the Government had agreed to do this, but if there was any controversy over the measure the Government would not go on with the Bill at present, and relief would be provided by means of a clause in the Statutes Amendment Bill. The Municipal Association Bill ■ and the Taieri River Improvement Amendment Bill were rapidly passed through all stages, making a total of five Bills but through in the course of the morning; and the House adjourned at 12.45 p.xn. until . 2.30 this afternoon.