PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1920, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

THE COUNCIL.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

WELLINGTON, Any. 19. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m.

The Local Hills Committee reported the Lyttelton Harbour Board Loan-Bill, Napier Harbour Board Empowering Loan Amendment Bill with amendments, Ocean Beach Public Domain Amendment Bill, without amendment. The Council agreed to the amendment made by the House in the Acts Interpretation Amendment Bill provided the House agreed to the necessary consequential amendment. The Masseurs Registration Bill was received from the House, and read a first time. A message from the House stated it disagreed with certain amendments made by the .Council to the Gaming Amendment Bill. Sir F. D. 801 l moved that, the Council agree not to insist on the amendments objected to. Hon 0. Samuel urged consideration be adjourned until to-morrow to enable members to look into the points. - Sir Francis Bell replied that the Council could not afford to risk losing the liill by insisting on the amendments, but lie was prepared to decide the mattor on .the voices. The postponement until to-morrow was carried by 13 to 7.

Hon MacGregor moved the second reading pro forma of the Law Amendment Bill with the suggestion that it be referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Bill was read a second time .pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Crimes Act amendment (Hon Macgregor) providing a five-sixths majority, may bo accepted in criminal cases, excepj, those in which accused may be condemned to death, was put through committee. The Law Practitioners amendment providing that solicitors may count the period of military service for the purpose of qualifying for admission as barristers and repealing the 1915 amendment which laid down that no barrister practising as a solicitor or in a partnership with solicitor may be appointed King’s Counsel, was commit teed. Hons McGregor and Lard opposed the latter proposal, which on a division was retained by 20 to 7. The Bill was put through the final stages and passed. The Council rose at 4.33 p.m.

THE HOUSE.

The House met at 2.30 p.m

After transaction of some formal business, Mr Massey moved the adjournment of tlie House to enable members to witness the football match, New Zealand v. Wellington. Mr Holland protested, but the House rose at 2.35 p.m. At the evening sitting, a long discussion took place on Cook Island affairs.

An amendment to the Post and "Telegraph Act was introduced by the Governor’s message and read a first time. Several local Bills were reported, and the House rose at 12.45 a.m.