SESSION INCIDENTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 475, 3 October 1928, Page 16

SESSION INCIDENTS

Queries and Asides

* (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter)

WELLINGTON, To-day. Wellington members of Parliament had a field day yesterday afternoon through the renewal of the debate on the Wellington City Milk Supply Bill, which proposes to confer on farmers in the vicinity of the capital the right to compete with the municipal milkdelivery system run by the Wellington City Council. The Bill is being hotly opposed by members representing Wellington city constituencies, and the committee report thereon was again talked out. A businesslike House m the evening put five Bills through all stages, these being the Education Reserves Bill, Canterbury Provincial Buildings Vesting Bill, Main Highways Amendment, Auckland Grammar School Amendment, and the State Fire Insurance Amendment. Four Bills were brought in by Governor’s Message, these being the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment, Auckland University College Amendment and Education Amendment. All were read the first time. The House rose at 11.30 p.m. *: * * In The Council In the Legislative Council the Mental Defectives Amendment Bill, the Companies Amendment Bill, the Maintenance Orders (facilities for enforcement) Amendment Bill, the Motor Spirits Taxation Amendment Bill, and the Public Works Bill were passed. m & * “Scientific Officialism” “This modern craze for scientific officialism,” said the Hon. C. J. Carrington, referring to the Mental Defectives Bill. He was firmly convinced that the principles of Christianity, as applied to the social state, would ultimately prevail over this latest method of endeavouring to regulate the human family on the lines of a stud farm. Regarding the definition of the registration of feeble-minded, he said that it., was proposed to place too much power in the hands of the board.

- Auctioneers Bill The Legislative Council decided to insist its amendments in the Auctioneers Bill with which the House had disagreed.

* * * Mental -Defectives The Mental Defectives Bill was yesterday passed by the Legislative Council. “The Bill is a strong forward measure,” said the Hon. G. J. Garland, discussing the second reading, “and should be accepted with the best wishes of the people. The Bill has many good and strong points.” The Hon. C. J. Carrington said the Bill had mafiy features of which he approved. He did think, however, that too much power was given to the board, and he intended to vote against it in its present form. * * * Empty Benches With Sir Maui Pomare away the number of tenantless benches in the Ministerial section is increased. The Hon. G. J. Anderson is not yet back from England, the Hon. W, Nosworthy

Js in -Canada, and there is still the vacant chair left by the late Mr. Bollard' * * * Held On the Job Asked by Mr. H. E. Holland to-night when the session would end, and when the election date would be announced, Mr. Coates stated that he had hoped to finish the session on Saturday, but did not think this could now be done. One or two matters had cropped up which would delay things, particularly the Auckland Transport Bill, which he wanted to get through if possible so as to solve a pressing problem. He considered that things should be all cleared UP by Tuesday, and he ihen would announce the election date at once. He could not do so eax'lier, as members would desert Parliament and fly to their constituencies. * * * Tinkering “There seems to be no finality about the present-day legislation,” said Mr. H. G. R. Mason, when the Main Highways Amendment Bill, providing for more liberal subsidies, was before the House to-night. “It does not add to the dignity of the Government,” continued Mr. Mason, “for it to be incessantly tinkering with the legislation. It would be better if the Government took more pride in its work and made a clean job at the start, instead of being slovenly.” The Hon. K. S. Williams, Minister of Public Works, in answer, said that it paid to learn to walk before one tried to run’ * * * “That Infernal Gap” “We feel very much isolated in the North at present, as we still have that infernal gap between Maungaturoto and Silverdale.” Thus Mr. W. Jones (Marsden), in speaking to the Main Highways Amendment Bill. The Speaker advised Mr. Jones that, while it was permissible for members to discuss local matters if they were skilful enough to* introduce the questions of principle, he could not allow the straight-out introduction of local needs. “Thank you, Mr. Speaker, “I needs. “Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I Jones, amid general laughter.

* * * Companies Amendment The House of Representatives agreed to the amendment made by the Legislative Council to the Companies Amendment Bill. The Council deleted the clause which sought to permit in certain cases the transfer of shares in a deceased • estate without the production of probate or letters of administration. The Attorney-General, the Hon. F. J. Rolleston, said the clause was merely a machinery one, designed to facilitate the transfer of the shares, and its deletion did not affect the remainder of the Bill. The Council had thought it wise to defer the clause for further consideration. * * * Silent Ministers One interesting feature of Monday's debate on the Public Works State-

ment was that Cabinet Ministers, who this session have on the whole not been conspicuous for loquacity in the Chamber, showed readiness to participate. Thus the Prime Minister and the Hons. A. D. McLeod, O. Hawken, R. A. Wright and K. S. Williams all took a hand in the proceedings—in marked contrast with the deep silence of the Ministerial benches in such discussions as those on the Licensing Bill and the Summer Time Bill. * » * New Bank The London and New Zealand Bank Bill became law when the House of Representatives agreed to the amendments made by the Legislative Council. Mr. J. G. Eliott (Oroua), who had charge of the measure, said the only material amendment was the addition of a clause defining the time in which the bank should obtain the £1,000,000 of paid-up capital required before it could commence business. This clause fixed the four years. A Te Kauwhata Reserve Documents presented to-da.y foreshadow the withdrawal from forest reserve of a ten-acre piece of land which is the most suitable property available for the expansion of the township of Te Kauwhata. The land is not required for forestry purposes, and sites thereon for a church and dairy factory are already sought. In the “washing-up bills” returned from committee to-day there is an alteration which cancels the proposed revocation of the Ongarue cemetery reserve, which so far has never been used for burial purposes. * * * Canterbury College Bill The Canterbury College and Canterbury Agricultural College Amendment Bill, providing for renewal of leases granted by these institutions, was reported back from the Lands Committee to-day, with the recommendation that it be allowed to proceed without amendment.