PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1924, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

[by tel eg rath—ter tress association LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, November 3. The Legislative Council met at 10.00 a.in. to-day. It was decided not to insist upon the amendments made in the llauraki Plains County Council Empowering Bill, with which the House disagreed. Kgmont National Park Bill was put through the filial stages and passed, 'with the deletion of the clause empowering the trustees to invest in Boards securities. The Honey Export Control Bill, Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment Bill, Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, C'oal Mines Amendment Bill and Legislature Amendment Bill (No 2) were received from the House and put through all stages and passed, with minor amendments, after surviving the proposed deletion of the clause relating to compulsory registration of electors, which was defeated by 11 votes to 0. The “Washing-Up” Bill was reported with amendments and passed. New clauses were inserted adding two additional members to the Totigariro National ParkBoard to be appointed by the Governor-General and validating a license at Kawarnu Falls. The Council agreed to a conference with representatives of the House on the C'awthron Trust Bill. Sir 11.I 1 . Bell replied that nothing further could be clone. HOUSE OF BEPRESENTATIVES. In the House, the Finance Bill authorising loans of two millions for public works and five millions for the Advances Department was passed. The House again went into Committee of Supply to consider the supplementary estimates amounting to C7G1,411 from the ordinary revenue account, and C-10,769 from the Public Works Fund. These amounts were passed after a brief debate. The House rose at 11.2.3 till 10.30 n.m., when the Appropriation Bill will be taken. VOTING SYSTEMS. Jn moving the second reading ol the Legislative Act Amendment Bill (No 2),”Mr Massey said the measure contained three important provisions. In the first place compulsory enrolment was insisted on. 'The responsibility for tliis was placed on electors thcmsoUes. In the past the methods adopted to secure complete enrolments had been unsatisfactory, and there had been complaints after each election. Persons were required to register within four months of the passing of the Act, or after the date on which they become qualified to be registered ns electors. For neglecting to register a fine of os is provided lor a first offence and 20s for any subsequent conviction. Electors must notify changes ol address when they move within the electorate for which they are registered. Similar fines to the above are provided for neglecting to do so, but failure to notifv eluinge of adress shall not disqualify an eleetor from voting. Such a provision is a safeguard against any injustice that may be done to an elector. Temporary absence from the electorate shall not be a disqualification unless the elector becomes resident in another electorate or is qualified to become so registered. If there is an absence of three months it will lie the duty of the eleetor to notify the registrar. 'There is provision for notification of deaths ol registered electors by the Registrar of Deaths, also for notification of marriage of female electors, so that the rolls can be amended. Section !) provides for the compilation of new rolls after the commencement of the Act. and the next section provides for abolition of existing rolls and the closing dale of rolls and printing thereof. In the ease of a by-election, there is a machinery clause to enable tlie Department to appoint one registrar to act for more than one electoral district in the four principal cities. It is proposed for general information and administrative purposes to group the city electoral offices under one officer. It if proposed fo amend section 32 of the Legislative Amendment Act. 1910. by repealing sub-sections 3 and 7. dealing with removal of names of non-voters al a general election from the rolls. The existing method has been found unsatisfactory and unworkable. Sectioi ]3 makes provision for a more convenient and effective system of absent voting. It is not applicable to seamen. who will vote under the existing special provisions in the Legislature Act. Sec tion II provides for twe classes of persons voting bv declaration on election day and repeals the provisions in sec tion 13 of the Expect itionarv Forces Aiding Act Amendment Act of 1919. Section 13 make? the residential period in an electoral district three months, instead of one month as at present.