PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3820, 19 July 1928, Page 1

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

WELLINGTON, July 17. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 to-day. A large number of petitions were presented praying for the abolition of the cash-on-delivery system. Notice of intention to set up various sessional committees was given by Ministers. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. / The Minister of Lands, Hon. A. D. McLeod, in reply to Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon) said that his department was endeavouring to arrange payments of rent by Crown tenants over as wide a period as possible. Tlift was being done with a view to relieve the department of having to face congested periods as well as a measure of relief to settlers. Ho would consider to what extent payment of rent could be made in March and September instead of January and July as at present. Replying to the Leader of the Opposition, the Prime Minister said that lie was not aware of any catechism issued to the natives of Samoa regarding the League of Nations by the late Administrator. So far as lie had seen, the references to the catechism in newspapers did not correctly reflect the viewpoint of the Government. He, however, would make further inquiry and lie would probably make a statement in the House.

On the motion of Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central), the Wellington City and Suburban Water Supply Amendment Bill and the Right to Work Bill were introduced and read the first time.

The following bills were introduced by the Governor-General’s message and read the first time:—Education Reserves Consolidation Bill. The Minister of Lands stated that the bill made no alteration in the existing law. The New Zealand Institute of Surveyors Bill. —The Minister of Lands said that it was intended to bring down a consolidating bill dealing with the law relating to surveying, but that was not possible this session. This bill was therefore introduced to effect some purely technical amendments which were' considered necessary. Several members asked that full facilities he given to certain surveyors to register as they had been inadvertently shut out by our conditions. The Minister promised to send the bill to the lands committee. The Examination and Registration of Surveyors Bill. The Leasing of Crown Lands in the Hamner Area Bill.—The Minister of Lands said that the bill was intended to give tenants a better tenure. The Orchards and Garden Diseases Bill. The Registration of Statutory Charges on Land Bill. The Justices of the Peace Bill.—The Minister of Justice said that the bill was purely a consolidating measure. The Mental Defectives Bill.—Mr T. lv. Sidey (Dunedin South) congratulated the Government on the introduction of this bill if it was laid down upon, the lines of the Governor-General's speech. Mr P. Fraser hoped that the Minister was walking warily for there were in these days some queer theories on the subject of eugenics. The Minister of Health, Hon. J. A. Young, said that he felt sure the bill was a step forward in social reform. They were moving along sound lines guided by the best experience of the world. The sterilisation of certain defectives would not he compulsory, but could be done on a voluntary basis. The Municipal Corporations Bill.— The Minister of Justice said that the bill contained 55 clauses which covered a number of .subjects • which had been discussed by the Municipal Conference.