N.Z. PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1932, Page 5

N.Z. PARLIAMENT

GOVT. OFFICERS BILL PROVISIONS OF NEW MEASURE. (Per Press Association Copyright.) WELLINGTON, November 30. Tile Local Government Officers Bill provided for the establishment of a Local Government Examination Board, which will be vested with powers of ■ a corporate body. The Board may , appoint a registrar, as well as examiners, and other officials, and it may promote examinations in subjects rela- , ting to local government, for which diplomas may be given. The Governor-General may approve of any scheme of examination submitted by the Board. Such scheme may provide for the recognition of any examination, conducted by any university or other institution, as equivalent under the scheme, or a special examination in the law of New Zealand, relating-to .local government and administration affairs of local authorities, may be substituted. The Board may grant a diploma without examination to (a) Any person who is employed as ia clerk of any borough council, town board, or road boardi in the Eden county; (b) Any person who is ejnployed as a clerk of j any other local' authority, of a class that may be prescribed; and (c) Any person employed in a senior clerical position by a local authority for five years before the passing of the Bill. Diplomas shall be granted only tp those who, in the opinion of the Board, ■are fit to receive them. .Except in cases where the time of applying is up, on special grounds extended by the Board, diplomas shall he granted only if the application is made, in case of those in the Eden county, within a year of the passing of the Bill, and, < in the case of those under (b), within 1 one year of the passing of the regula- t tions, prescribing that class of local 1 authority. If the Board refuses to grant a diploma, there is provision far appeal to a Board of three members, on© appointed by the Minister, one by the Board, and one by the applicant. ;,i c

BILLS BEFORE THE HOUSE. WELLINGTON December 1

In the Legislative Council yesterday, the Mortgagors and Tenants Further Relief Bill was read a second time, pro forma, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.

In the House of Representatives the Local Government Officers Bill (Hon. A. Hamilton), and Cook Islands Amendment Bill (Sir A. Ngata), were ittUoduced and read a-first-time. The former measure was then read a second time, pro forma, and! referred to the Local Bills Committee.

The Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill wais put through the committeie without amendment, The House, rose at midnight.

COPING WITH RAGWORT MENACE

MINISTER OUTLINES PLAN’S. WELLINGTON, December 1. The announcement was recently made that the administration of the Island of Niue was to be transferred from the Minister of Cook Islands (the Hon, Sir A. Ngata), to the Minister of Externnl Affairs (the Rt, Hon. G. W. Forbes), and legislative effect

to the change will b& given by the Cook Islands Amendment Bill, consisting of only two clauses, which Was read the first time in the House yesterday.

The proposals of the Government to assist landowners to cope with the ragwort menace were outlined' in the House' of Representatives yesterday ir. a lengthy statement, by the Hon. C. E. Macmillan.

The Minister said that the Government was prepared to supply labour, through the Unemployment Board, by billeting men on farms (the landowner to supply board, lodging .and 1 material), and in districts where camps were already in existence, by diverting unemployed labour for the time being for a week of destruction, landowners to supply transport and Material. The Minister pointed out that there were landowners whose financial position was such that they did not require assistance from the Government and, in fairness to all concerned, such owners should keep the weed under control free of cost to the State. He suggested that county councils, and other interested organisations, should assist those owners who were financially unable to make us* of the labour offered. The Minister stressed the efficacy of sodium chlorate in completely killing ragwort plants.