PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1927, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

(By Telegraph—For Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. THE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met yesterday at 2.30 p.m. Three days’ leave of absence was granted to Hon. Newman on account of illness.

Replying to a question by Sir T. Mackenzie, the Leader of the Council, Sir F. D. Bell, said the fixing of minimum penalty for drunkenness while in charge of a motor-car was considered inadvisable in view of the fact that it was oiten difficult to determine the existence of drunkenness, and it was a term difficult to interpret. The Land and Income Tax Annual Bill and Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill were introduced from the House and read a first time. The Council adjourned at 2.50 until’ next day.

THE HOUSE. To the House yesterday afternoon, the sitting was taken up with formal business, during the course of -which the Prime Minister gave notice of intention to move that the Hones agree to supply the Samoan Royal Commission with a copy of the evidence taken before the joint committee oil Samoa.

SUMMER TIME BILL. At the evening sitting Air Sidey’s Summer Time Bill was again considered in committee, its opponents adopting organised stonewall tactics. At 2.30 a.m. the first amendment to the short title of the hill was defeated by 38 to 14.

After 18) hours’ discussion the short title was passed by 35 to 18. Clausa Two was agreed to at 5.35 a.m. without a division. Clause 3 was agreea to by 35 to 14, after it bad been amended to exclude threshing mill workers and- shearers, unless they mutually agree with their employers to work summer time.

A further amendment was defeated giving any party to an Arbitration Court award the right to make application to the Court to he allowed to work under standard time instead of summer time. The clause as previously amended was passed. On Clause 1 Mr Girling moved to conclude summer time on the third Sunday in February instead of the first Sunday in March, hut this was rejected liy 35 to 10, and the clause as originally printed was carried. A further amendment that the bill apply only to cities and towns, moved hv Air Glenn, was rejected hv 35 to 17. The hill was then reported with amendments, Air Sidey receiving a round of appi'ause as he left the chair. The Marriage Amendment Bill was put through' the committee stage without amendment, read a third time, and passed. The House rose at 7.15 a.m. till 2.30 o’clock this afternoon.