PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1926, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

[BY TELEGRAPH PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION THE COUNCIL. ' WELLINGTON, August 12. • The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. Sir Robert Stout was shorn in and took his seat for the first time, amidst applause. The whole of tho sitting was taken up with the committal stage of Mr Jsitt’s Religious Exercises in Schools Bill, every clause of which which was hotly contested and divisions called, without any amendment being effected by tho Council, hut a new clause was approved requiring textbooks agreed upon for use in schools to be laid before Parliament. The Bill as amended was reported and set down for the third reading next Friday. The Council adjourned at 11 p.m. until to-morrow. j THE HOUSE. The House met at 2.30. ' Hon Downie Stewart laid on * the table the report of the Royal Commission on Rural Credits, which contained thirty-nine recommendations for tho operation of rural credits in New Zealand. The Minister stated legislation would probably follow, hut a statement would be made in this connection later at tho same time ns the Government’s attitude towards the Bank of New Zealand’s scheme of long-dated loans was disclosed.

The National Provident Fund Bill and Land and Income Tax (Annual) Bill were read a third time and passed. Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill, Samoa Amendment Bill, Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill and Cook -Island Amendment Bill were read a second time, and, the House rose at 11.30 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. next day.