PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1932, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NEW MEASURE INTRODUCED.

(By Telegraph —ter tress Association)

WELLINGTON, March 17

111 the House of Representatives yesterday consideration of the Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill in committee was resumed. The discussion on the short title was continued until the closure was applied, at the conclusion of the afternoon sitting." . ' An amendment to the short title seeking to provide that the measuie should not come into operation until 1936, was moved by Mr Schramm. This was defeated and on a subsequent division the short title was retained by 42. to 31 votes. Messrs Atmore, Connolly, W. W. Massey, Rusliworth, Samuel, Stallworthy, Wilkinson and Wright voted with Labour against the clause. Progress was then reported to enable the introduction by the GovernorGenera J’s message of the Mortgagors and Tenants’, Relief Bill. Outlining the measure (Mi* -Foroas said power would be given to the mortgagor to approach the (Court, even though the mortgagee had taken no -steps against, him in reference to his (holding. Authority..was also given to grant relief to lessors by way of remission or reduction of rent. This was-very much wider power than was provided under tile existing legislation arid would apply to all leased premises. Replying to .Labour complaints that, no provision had been made for a straight out reduction of interest rates and rents, Mi* Forbes said the Bill before the House was not one in which anything could be put regarding statutory reduction of this kind. He had already told the House there would be no class in the community that would escape in connection with the general, sacrifice. So far there had been no statutory reductions at allThere' were other measures yet to come down in regard to reductions right through. The Bill was read a first time.

An Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor-General’s message. Mr Hamilton said it simply gave the Government power by Order-in-Ccuncil to appoint one or two additional Conciliation Commissioners fo-r a term not exceeding one year. The present act was somewhat rigid and it was considered the amendment wpqld, enable the measure to work more smoothly. The introduction of the amendment was still being debated when the House rose at midnight.