PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1920, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

(PER PH EBB ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.] WELLINGTON, July 21. THE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.in. The Registration of Aliens Amend•ment Hill was received from the House and road a first time. Mon McGregor’s Crimes Act Amendment Hill providing for doing away with the Grand Jury in most cases, was read a first time. Hon MacGregor moved the second reading of the J uries Act Amendment Bill, providing for the taking of a tentwelfths majority verdict in all but capi_ tal charges. Ho explained that Mr Lee, as a private member, last session promised to take charge of the Bill when it reached the House and that lie understood the Government would take it up or introduce a corresponding measure. The Leader of the Coancil said he was unable to pledge the Government, but Mr MacGregor had every reason to believe that the Government would adopt the Bill or propose a similar one. 'flic second reading was carried on the voices. The Council adjourned at 4.55 p.m. THE HOUSE. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Iff olio wing Bills were passed the second reading:—Excise Tariff Bill, (Mr MoCallum). Hotel and Restaurant, and Private Hotel and Boarding House Employees, Six Days Week Bill, (Mr Fraser). Mining Amendment Bill, (Mr Parry). The House then went into committee on the Gaming Amendment Bill, which was passed with minor amendments. The House rose at 12-28 a.m. JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY (Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. WELLINGTON, July 21. The Prime Minister states that shipments of free meat will he controlled by the New Zealand Overseas Shipowners Committee, which will allot space in proportion to the killings. A cable is awaited from the Imperial authorities as to when free meat may be shipped, and what proportion oi it will liear to Imperial stocks. Government does not intend at present to lift the regulations relating to renting of houses. The 8 per cent. - maximum does not apply to new houses. .The question of encouraging the importation of building materials by lifting the duty is receiving attention of Cabinet at present. Tow n Boards are to he given authority to build bouses under the Housing Act. Government is taking steps to encourage the formation of boys agricultural clubs.

The Board of Trade is making careful investigations into the leather and boot manufacturing industries. Cabinet is considering a scheme where by persons who cannot pay ordinary lees for medical and nursing attendance, may receive outdoor medical and nursing treatment through Hospital Boards. The Land-Agents Bill will he brought down this session, if the opportunity offers. Legislation is to lx: brought down to district the landing of Hindus and Chinese. The question of granting persons to the blind is to receive consideration when proposed amendments to the Pensions Act are under discussion. The Minister for Labour believes that the settlement of the Jockeys’ Dispute is likely to be reached shortly. It is not intended in any case to allow the shipping of the Dominion to be held up on account of the dispute, and -where a breaefh of the law occurs, proceedings will be taken against the offenders. A Bill to amend the Patents Law is being prepared. The Afbtor Bill is to be brought down. Rules regarding licenses of drivers will he considered. JURY VERDICTS.

The Legislative Council gave the second reading to-day to the Hon MacGregor’s Bill proposing that a verdict of five sixths majority of a jury should be accepted in criminal trials. This 1111 has appeared before, and it is still a long way from the Statute Book. CUSTOMS TAXATION.

The House spent the afternoon discussing customs taxation and many other subjects on a Bill introduced by Mr McCallum, (Wairau), who proposes that customs duties shall wary on a slid, ing scale, according to the prices of connnodites. The Bill cannot proceed since it is bound to be ruled out of order, as touching finance, but it provided an opportunity for appeals to Govorment to amend the tariff, to encourage industries, to settle native lands, and so forth. Members complained that owing to the rise in prices, the customs tariff had become exceedingly burdensome. NO REDUCTION POSSIBLE. Mr Massey entered the debate to say that nobody need expect a lightening of taxation burdens. If the Customs tariff were reduced the Government would have t» collect at least as much additional revenue in other directions. The Customs Tariff ought not to be touched lightly. He indicated that his own sympathies were tou'ard free trade, but lie would not be party to tearing down ruthlessly tariff barriers which had assisted the young industries. THE GAMING BILL.

WELLINGTON July 22. The Gaming Bill was considered m committee during the evening. Discussion was animated and it soon fe.-t-ame evident that the bookmakers were not without friends on the floor of the. House. An important amendment war made in clause two by the deletion of the provisions for summary convict »n, thus, leaving the bookmaker with thy right to demand' trial by jury. 2ome members believo that this alteration will enable bookmakers to retain a footing, owing to the difficulty 'n securing a conviction by a Jury. OTHER CLAUSES. The clause declaring that the offer to make a bet or the supplying of a betting card shall be evidence of guilt inabook-makirig cases, unless the con trary in was retained after much argument by 49 votes to 16. AMENDMENTS REJECTED. Mr Wilford had two new clauses, tho first in favour of a double totalisator and the second legalising the pub-, lication of totalisator dividends. They

were rejected by 42 votes to 22, and 3(5 votes to 28 respectively. Mr Parry’s amendment suspending licenses of Racing Clubs until wages and conditions of jockeys had been made satisfactory, was ruled out of order. THE FINAL DIVISION. The final divison was on a motion by Apr Isitt to abolish the totalisator altogether, It was rejecjted b!y 55 votes to 6. The Bill was reported from Committee and set down for the third reading.