PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1926, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

(by TELEGRAPH— PER PRESS ASSOCIATION WELLINGTON, August 17. THC COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Govcrnnfeiit Railways Bill, Hospital ami Charitable Institutions Bill and Industrial Society’s Amendment Bill were received from the House and read the first time.

The Dairy Produce Export Control Amendment Bill was reported from the Committee without amendment. The Fire Brigades Bill and Police Offences Amendment Bill were put through the final stages and passed.

The National Provident Fund Bill, Cook Islands Amendment Bill, Cinematograph Film Censorship Amendment Bill, Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill and Cemetries Amendment. Bill were read a second time. The Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill and Samoa Amendment Bill were read the second time pro forma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.

In connection with the report of the Committee of the Council on the Mildred Elaine Smyth Divorce Bill, Hon. Barr moved that the attention of the Government be drawn to the necessity for general legislation to meet cases such as that of Mrs Smyth. The motion was passed and the leader of the Coirtieil promised to bring it before the notice of Cabinet. The Council rose at 5 p.m. until to-morrow. THE HOUSE. The House met at 2.30. Mr Coates (for the Minister of Finance) moved that the following he appointed a special committee to consider and report the Rural Credits report—■J. E. Elliott, J. W. Forbes, A. Hamilton, H. E. Holland. M. J. Savage, D. Jones, D. S. Reid, E. Walter, Sir Joseph Ward and Hon. ,D. Stewart. The Prime Minister stated that the appointment of the committee was not designed to restrict a discussion, but he thought, tin's course would facilitate the intended legislation. The appointment of the committee was challenged but on a division was carried by 45 to 15. The following hills were introduced and read the first time:—Hauraki Plains. Local Railways Act, ] 914, Amendment Rill, Family Allowance' Bill. Mr Coates made a statement on the question of freight and other charges on the phosphate fertilizer and said that freights had already been reduced hv the shipping companies. The Harbour Boards also had eased the charges and now it has been decided to make a reduction in railway freights on all fertilizer amounting to forty per cent off the present rates on truck loads fsix tons) and twenty-five per cent on smaller lots, the reduction to operate as from 31st August instant.

The Prime Minister also made a statement on the subject of the work of the session and Imperial Conference. He hoped to finish the business of the session at the end of the month or the first week in September. He would like to leave for the Imperial Conference at the end of the present month and with the goodwill of members he thought this could he done. After a lengthy debate the Railway Report was laid on the table. The Rent Restriction Bill was read a second time. The House rose at 1.35 till 2.30 p.m.