PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1931, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE. INFLUENZA. (By Telegraph —Per Press Association j WELLINGTON, September 17. In the 'House of Representatives last night the Minister of Health replying to Mr Young, said the Department was keeping a close watch on the present or (break of influenza. He :\<d been advised it was not one to cause public apprehension, so long as the victims' toim ordinary precautions.

Mr Fletcher : Did you mean a c-"Se watch on thi Chilian warship. ■Mr Parry remarking he felt the outbreak was more serious than the Minister seemed to indicate and asKed wh< tuer the Department had considered, the advisablitv of closing the sobion theatres, etc. Hon. StallwortHy said he could only repeat that the Department lull been keeping the closest waten from the tune the first case was reported. He had been definitely advised that while outbreak was' not one to be, trifled with, there was no need for public apprehension. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. * Mr Endean was • granted three days and Mr Field two days leave of absence on account of illness. MAORI LAND BILL. The Native Land Bill was introduced by Governor-General’s message. Sir A. Ngata said while there was no new matter in the Bill it consolidated and co-ordinated a large number of the old provisions. The last consolidation of Native, Land laws had been in 1909. The Bill contained 567 clauses including sections from twenty-three acts. It would, if passed, in the form in which it was drawn, be the largest single act in the statute book of New Zealand. The Bill was read a first time. PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILLS. The House proceeded to deal with private, members’ Bills. The following were rejected.—Local 'Elections and Polls Amendment No. 2 ■('Ml- McCombs) ; Rating Amendment (MiMason) Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment (Mr Semple) and ■Bank of 'New Zealand Amendment (.Mr Langstone). Invalid Pensions Bill (Mr O'Brien) was ruled out of order. The House rose at 10.30 p.m.