PARLIAMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 29 November 1927, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MONDAY NIGHT SITTING. INSURANCE DEPOSITS BILL. Wellington, Nov. 28. When the House resumed at 7.30 p.m.. me debate on the Insurance Companies Deposits Amendment Bill was continued by Sir Joseph Ward, who said it was not possible to compel one insurance company to make a deposit, with the Government as security to policy-holders and not another except on the basis of injustice. He did not want to see Lloyds driven out of the country and he did not believe for a moment that Lloyds’ principals in London would object to what the bill was asking them to do. He congratulated the Attorney-Gen-eral upon his fair statement of the case and the true outline of the insurance business he save. Mr H. L. Tapley (Dunedin North) congratulated the Government upon at last becoming consistent. He nad been wondering how lons it would no before they were going to compel Lloyds to put up a deposit in exactly the same way as other offices had to do. Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston N.) supported the bill. Mr V. H. Potter (Roskill) opposed it, and urged that the Government should withdraw the measure and submit it to the consideration of a committee of the House, so that tho whole circumstances could be investigated. The Minister, in reply, said no valid objection to the bill had been raised during the debate. Lloyds’ representatives in London agreed to the principle of the bill. The only question was what the amount of the deposit was to be. On that point they wore onlv asking all offices to pay a similar amount. He agreed that the definition of “agent” might be a little wideband he was prepared when in committee to move amendments that would meet the case

On the motion of the Hon. G. J. Anderson. Mr P. Fraser Mr J. Mason and tho mover were appointed managers to draw up reasons for disagreeing with the amendments made by tho Legislative Council in' the Rent Restriction Continuance Bill. On the motion of the Hon. G. .1. Anderson the amendments made by tho Legislative Council in the Coal Mines Amendment Bill were discussed. hut owing to opposition to an amendment in sub-clause 2 of clause 2, to which miners’ wages wore not made a first charge against mines on which mortgages, charges or enewn branoes exist, the debate was adjourned. tho Minister promising to look into the point. On tho motion of tho Minister of Public Works, the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill were disagreed with and Messrs A. Hamilton. H. T. Armstrong and the mover were appointed to draw uu reasons. PUBLIC WORKS AMENDMENT. The Minister of Public Works moved the second reading of tho Public Works Amendment Bill, He explained that the bill was purely a machinery measure and was preparing the way for a general consolidation of the law relating to public works. One clause sets out more clearly the procedure in serving ciaims for compensation. Under tho principal Act of 1908. land taken for public work and afterwards not required for such purpose now proposed to allow of the selling of such land on tho defen ed payment system, payments to extend over a period of not more than five years. Another amendment is suggested for tho purpose of dealing separately with the apportionment of the cost of tho construction of roads and streets. This is dealt with in a clause which makes it apply only in cases where a road or proposed road is largely used or likely to be used, by traffic from two or more districts. A further clause has been framed with a view to protecting the rights of the Crown and local authorities in respect to telephone wires electnc wires, etc., placed under roads or streets in cases where rights might be interfered with by allowing private persons to put petrol storage tanks under roads or streets. Under tho law as it stands the proclamation of the “middle lino’’ of proposed railway affects all land within ten chains of the middle line and the proclamation has to be registered against the titles of all lands affected. The proposed amendment will enable the Governor-General to prescribe the extent to which the proclamation of a middle line will affect land on either side. The law at present places a restriction upon the transfer of all lands subject to irrigation agreements, the object being to ensure payment of all fees. The restriction is thought to be too wide and will be removed by a proposed amendment, except in ease where default is made in payment of -foes under irrigation agreements. The Minister proposed to ask the House to strike out clause 11. The* second reading was agreed to BILLS PUT THROUGH. Tho House then went into commit tee on the Insurance Companies Deposits Amendment Bill. The bill was reported with an amendment moved by the Minister. Tho House then considered the Public Works Amendment Bill in committee, which was reported with one small amendment. The reports wore agreed to, the bills read the third time and passed. Mr J. A. Nash ("Palmerston) moved the second reading of the Palmerston North Library Empowering Bill, and the Napier Harbour Board Empowering Bill was also read the second time, on the motion of Mr J. Mason, and both bills were put through the final stages and passed. In moving the adjournment of the House, the Prime Minister promised, in replyto the Leader of the Opposition. to make a statement to-morrow as to the business for the remainder of the session and the probable dale of the session terminating. The House rose at 11.10 p.in. until 3.30 p.m. to-morrow. (Continued on Next Column).

(Continued from previous column, f LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 to-day. The Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill and the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill wore reported from committees without amendments. Amendments proposed by the Gov-ernor-General m the Local Legislation Bill were reported without amendment from the standing committee and agreed to. Progress was reported on the Education Reserves Amendment Bill after a brief discussion in committee, and the Council adjourned at 2.55 p.m. in order to listen to Mr Amery's address in the House. • The Council adjourned until 11 a.m. to-morrow.

Aerial Cruise. —Imperial Airways ’ Silver Wing de Luxe, eight ton threemotored air liner, leaves Croydon on January 31 on the world's first pleasure cruise of 35 days, covering a route of 5500 miles in Suthern France. Spain, Africa and Italy. Every comfort is provided in the accommoaation. There will be motor trips at the stopping places, and no night flying. The 12 passengers will pay 435 guineas each and carry 60 pounds of luggage apiece. Films Commission. — Before the Films Commission in Syrrney, Mr Geo. Black a Legislative Councillor and former film censor, took strong exception to a statement made by Professor Wallace that the palms of censors had been greased. Tie eharaeterised the statement as a “vile insinuation, such as would be expected front vulgar gossip hanging over a backyard fence.” The statement had reflected seriously ou the characters of two honest and upiglit men, and coining from a University professor it was surprising. Mr Black said he could declare positively that not only ■were the censors not bribed, but they had never been approached.