PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1931, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE. (Bn Tcleijrwph —Per Press A ssuciulivn) WELLINGTON, April 18. In the House of Representatives yesterday the Auckland Harbour Bridge Empowering Bill (Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) was introduced and read a first time. Urgency was accorded the passage of the Government Railways Amendment Bill. Mr Wilkinson's amendment to the second reading was defeated hy 49 to 22 Labour members and Messrs Black, Fletcher, Hogan, Lysnar. Rush worth and Wilkinson voting for it. The Mill was read a second time on division by ID to 22 votes. Amendments to the Bill were introduced hy Governor General’s message. The main amendments provided that the Bill should come into force on Ist June. 1931. and that the Board of Directors should consist of five members (instead of three as formerly) including the Chairman. It further provided that of the first members of the Board other than the Chairman, two should he appointed for a period of two years, ami two for a period of three years, and thereafter every such member of the Board should he appointed for a period of two years. Payment was fixed at LTODf) a year for the chairman (compared with 1.100 as originally proposed) and fJoUf) for other members. The. requirement that the Chairman should lie a full time officer was deleted, Mr Forbes said that ohjeei was to enable the best men available to occupy positions on the Board without reouiring their giving up their private business. The debate on the short title in Committee occupied the time of the House till midnight, when the clause wa s passed hy 32 to 1-1 votes.

The amendments had been adopted, and considerable progress was made with the Bill when at 1.3 d a.m. Mr Coates announced that news had been received of the death at a private liosnital of Mr Hall (TTaurakiL He and dir Eorhes expressed regret: at by) death and sympathy with the relatives and the House immediately adjourned, till 2.30 p.m. on Monday.