PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2:30 p.m. , The Statutes Revision Committee reported on the Law Practitioners' Amendment Bill, and the Juries Amendment Bill, with amendments.

The Hon. J. MacGregor, introduced the Law Amendment Bill, eaplaininj, that it provided for a bank not hev.-v; liable for paying an altered cheque good faith when cheque was made <>,.<; in such a way as to facilitate alters, tion. It also provided that in cases of shipwreck, etc., where two people lose their lives, that for the purposes of succession to property, the ehko of the two shall be considered the survivor. The Bill was read a first time Sir Francis Bell moved the second reading of the Legislative Council Amendment Bill, explaining that , one of the reasons for the Bill was to give effect to the Prime Minister's promisft that Parliament would have an opportunity of considering details before the original Act was brought into force. The debate was adjourned until Tuesday, and the Council adjourned at 3.4 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. J RURAL MAIL SYSTEM.. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. # Replying to Mr. Hockley, the Hon. J. G. Coates said the "postal department was not letting rural mail contracts for a longer period than twelve months The reason for this was that Mr. Morris, who was now attending the Postal Conference, will, before he, returns, visit Canada, which cnv-itry has a very up-to-date rural mail system. Mr. Morris would enquire into that system and report upon it with a view of adopting any suitable features in New Zealand.

A TEMPORARY MINISTER. TASK FOR SIR WILLIAM FRASER. Mr. Maasey moved the second reading of the Acts Interpretation Amendment Bill. He explained that the measure enabled a member of the Executive Couneil who was not a "responsible Minister of the Crown" to discharge !lie duties of a Minister. He stated that Sir William Fraser was willing to act for the Hon. G. J. Anderson during his illness, but the wording of the present Aet prevented him doing so. Mr. Wilford. said no one objected to Sir William Fraser acting for Mr. Anderson, but the Bill was wider than tlwt. It was general, instead of particular, and gave the Government power to appoint anyone as a Minister, though he might not be a member of either House. This was something his side of the House could not aarce to. Mr. Statbain asked the Premier if he would insert an amendment affirming that no one should be appointed under this Bill unless he is a member of either House.

Mr. Massey said he proposed to insert a clause that the Bill should continue in operation for three months and no longer. Mr. Veitch said the Bill was a confession by the Premier of no-confidence in his colleagues. The fact was that the Government was in need pf a Minister of financial ability; hence the to get Sir William Fraser into the Cabinet.

The Premier briefly replied, and the Bill was read a second time on the vc/ces. It was them put through the remaining stages ana passed, with t.he Premier's promised amendment limiting the oDeration of the Bill.

EXPIRING LAWS. SEVERAL TOPICS INVOLVED. The House went into committee on the Statutes Repeal and Expiring Laws Amendment and Continuance Bill. The Premier explained that the Bill proposed to clear off the Statute Book a number of measures passed during the war, but which were now spent or expired. Dealing with the finance clauses, he gave the House an assurance that- he did not intend, either now or in tho future, to issue debentures frep of income tax. In clause 3, Mr. McCombs moved an amendment which would have t.lie effect of preventing .the issue of new debentures in the purchase of land free of income tax. Mr. Ivlassey said that was law now under the Act of 1015, and if it was not quite clear he would have it made so in the finance legislation which was to come down later in the session. Loans fres of income tax n ere raised specifically for war purposes. Clause 3 dealt with debentures given in purchase of land to which freedom from income tax never applied, an far as >he knew, and would not, apply in future. On a division the amendment was lost by 44 votes to it, and the clause was passed. Mr. Eraser attacked clause 5, which proposed to amend the definition of ":i discharged soldier'' in connection with the Housing Act by removing protection from eviction froni all members ot the Expeditionary who did not go overseas.

Mr. Mnssey said the proposed cliinge had not Jjeen agreed upon without serious consideration. It had boon found, in some cases, that men who had only been in camp n few days were keeping from occupying a house men who had been in the trenches. . He though'; preference should be givfn to the men who had gone to the front. Mr. Wilford mado a plea for home service men. The Hon. Sir William Herries said an amendment to the Housing Act would be brought down this session, and any necessary amendment, could be introduced into that measure. On a division, the clause was retained bv 38 votes to 9. On the motion of the Premier clause 6, dealing with Samoa, was deleted, as further. Samoa* legislation wotald be coming down. After further discussion the schedules ■were passed without amendment, and the Bill was reported with amendments. i • MASSEURS BILL PASSED, The Hob. & J. Parr morcd the third

reading of the Masseurs Registration Bill, which was agreed to, and the Bill was passed. Thp House rose at 12.12 a.m. TO DAY'S ' BUSINESS. PRIVATE MEMBERS' DAY. For to-day, private members' day, the Orders of the Day are as follow: Excise Tariff Bill, eecond reading, Mr. R. McCallnm. Shops and Offices Amendment Bill (No. 2), second reading, Mr. J. McCombs. Police Offences Amendment Bill, to be committed, Mr. C. E. Statham. Ansae Day Bill, t& be committed, Mr. ft. Mitchell. For to-morrow, also private members' flay, the Order Paper at present is a blanlc.