PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1920, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

THE COUNCIL.

[run l'ltlSSS ASSOCIATION.—OOPYUIOHT.j

WELLINGTON, August 11. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Sir F. D. Bell gave notice to introduce the Legislative Council Amendment, Hawkes Bay ltivers Amendment, and Acts of Interpretation. lion Norheny was added to the Statutes Revision Committee during consideration of the Marriage Amendment Bill. The Crimes Amendment was received from the House and read a second time, pro forma, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.

The Arms Bill was committed, and progress was reported after several minor amendments were made, Sir F. D. Bell asking that this course be adopted, as there might possibly be other amendments forthcoming. The Council rose at 3 p.m. WELLINGTON, August 12 The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m..

It was agreed (that Council ol' the parties should be heard by the Statutes {Revision Committee during considers tttfony of' the Marriage Amendment Bill The Legislative Council Amendment Bill was introduced and read ,a first time. It amends the rules for fixing of boundaries of electoral divisions and provides that members of Executive Council may be appointed to the Legislative Council.

Hawke’s Bay River Amendment Bill was read a first time. Acts and Interpretation Amendment Bill, rendered necessary by the fact that Sir Win. .Fraser is acting for Hon Anderson, while the later is ill, was put through all' stages and passed. The Amendment to the Magistrate’s Court Amending Bill to allow for the appointment of Magistrate for Chatham Islands was brought down by the Administration and adopted. 'The Council rose at 3.45 p.m.

THE HOUSE. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time -.—Master and Apprentices Amendment Bill No 2. (Hon Nosworthy); Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill, (Hon Massey) ; Wanganui Borough Council Vesting and Empowering Bill No 2., (Mr Veiteli). The remainder of the afternoon sitting was taken up in discussion on reports of committees on petitions and Minister’s replies to questions. At the evening sitting progress was reported on the Maori War Medal Bill introduced by Mr Wright, after a discussion in which the Bill found few friends. The Police Offences Amendment, (Ur Statham), making it an offence to take part in live pigeon matches was read a second time.

On the motion of Mr Mitchell, An/.ac Day Bill was read a second time, tinspeakers stressing the point that Laday should be observed as a holy day rather than as a holiday, to commemorate the memory of our soldiers. TinNational Anthem was sung and the House rose at 10.2 G p.m.

The following Bills passed all stages: Lyttelton Harbour Board Loan Bili, (Mr McCombs); Napier Harbour "Board Empowering and Loan Act, 1914 Amendment Bill, second reading, (Mr Campbell); Ocean Beach, Public Domain Amendment Bill, (Mr Sidey). At the evening sitting the Masseurs Registration Bill passed the Committee stage with an amendment giving anyone the right to register as a massceur who had practiced for-three, years during the past five, and is a person of good character.

The short title of the Statutes Repeal aud Expiry Laws Amendment was agreed to and the House rose at 10,28 p.m. EVENING BUSINESS. WELLINGTON, August 12. The House spent this evening on the -Masseurs Registration Bill, which lias been very much amended since the Government first introduced it. The Bill as originally drafted, proposed to place masseurs and other helpers under the supervision of doctors. It now provides merely for the registration of qualified masseurs and leaves unregistered masseurs free to practice. Registration may be secured by examination or by virtue of three years practice before the passing of an act. An important clause of the Immigration Restriction Bill, evidently directed at Hindus, that a person shall not be deemed to be of British birth by reason of his being an aboriginal native of any Dominion colony possession or protectorate of the Empire. Persons who are of British or Irish birth may enter New Zealand as residents without any restriction other than the oath of allegiance.