PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1927, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association,

THE HOUSE,

SITTINGS RESUMED,

WELLINGTON, Oct. 21

The Committee reassembled at 9 o’clock, and a division was taken on Clause 5 without dise.us.snn, the clause being agreed to liy .'ll to 10. Mi’ Savage moved an amendment to Section 9 of the original act raising the limit under which overtime shall be paid from £2OO per annum to £4OO. The Minister said lie would not accept the amendment, because lie did not know it would effect the clerks concerned. He would, however, have the matter looked into and if no harm would be done, the amendment could he moved in the Legislative Council. Mr Savage accepted that and withdrew his amendment. The Minister moved an amendment fixing the time of closing on the weekly half holidays at one o’clock for those shops which closed on days other than Saturday. The clause was after some discussion carried on division hv 43 to 13.

Mr Nash objected to clause 11 which enables n, small shop-keeper to get exemption from the statutory closing hours, on application to a Magistrate.

The Minister said the clause was inserted at the request of upwards of a thousand small shop-keepers from Bluff to North Cape, and personally his sympathy was with the small shopkeepers. The clause was added to the Bill on the voices, Mr Nash being al> sent from the Chamber.

The filial clause of the Shops and Offices Bill was passed at 12.30 p.m. and the Bill reported. The third reading is to bo taken at 7.30 p.m. The Prime Minister stated the Public Works Statement would lie laid on the table of the House this evening but would not be debated. On Monday night local bills will be taken, and on Tuesday Rural Credits Hill. He would not give any promise that the House would not sit on Labour Day, but ho would consider the matter.

The House rose at 12.43 p,m. till 7.30 p.m.