PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1922, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

[BT TELEGRAPH—PER PP.EoS ASSOCIATION]

WELLINGTON, Oet. 12.

THE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. A new clause was added to AYhakatane Harbour Amendment Rill giving the board tlio right to levy dues in respect to Tarawera harbour, only for the purpose ,of improving anil maintaining the port facilities. The following bills were put through the final stages and passed—'Wnngagnui River Trust Amendment; Palmerston North Reserves, Petone and Hiitt Gas Lighting; Christchurch District Drainage Amendment. The Statutes Revision Committee recommended minor amendment to the Pharmacy Amendment Bill and reported the Electric Power Board Amendment Bill without amendment. A clause in Wellington City Empowering Bill giving to the City Council the right to charge on Sunday for admission to Newtown Zoo was deleted by the Local Rills Committee. The Council adjourned at 4.50.

THE HOUSE. Tho House met at 2.30 p.m. The whole of the afternoon sitting was occupied with formal business. At tlic evoninsr sitting MV Massey moved the second reading of the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill which was agreed to after a lengthy debate and was referred to the Native Affairs Committee. The House rose at 1.5.

The most important clause in the amendment of the Land Act is tho provision for revaluation of leases of small grazing runs of Crown or settlement land granted in respect of leases which had expired before the passing of the Land Act, 1921-22, but not earlier than February 28, 1920. The lessee may apply for revaluation, and if the value then determined, exclusive of improvements, is less than the capital value of the land on which the rent is based, the rent payable shall ho proportionately reduced. Among other clauses is a provision under which purchasers of Crown or settlement land may elect to accept a renewable lease. Expenses of drainage may he included in the capital cost of opening up settlement land. Clause 17 of the Land Act Amendment, 1919. providing for payment to local authorities of all revenues from Crown lands in any specified district for repayment, of leans for providing access, has been amended to enable the Minister to pay the whole or any defined portion of such revenues. Lessees nl pastoral lands under renewed lease or license are given the right to aeonire the fieo--I,ol<l at. any time after the expiration of seven years from the commencement irf the original lease, whether granted to the lessee or to a predecessor in Ihe titles. Tim Land Act. of 1921-22 contained provision for the extension of pastoral leases for any term not less than fourteen years, but this time limitation is: repealed bv the present Bill: '* ' •