PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Tho Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Governor-General notified the Council of a vacancy caused by the resignation of the Hon. H. F. Wigram. ■

The Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Bill and the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill, were received from the House, and read a first time. The Civil List Bill was put through committee and passed.

Sir Francis Bell moved the second reading of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Loan Bill, which, he said, it was necessary to get through as soon as possible, as money was pouring in. The Council put the Bill through its final stages without discussion.

Sir Francis Bell moved the second reading of the Offenders' Probation Bill, which, he explained, extended the benefit of probation to all offenders, instead of only to first* offenders. Whether probation was granted was to be left to the discretion of the Court in each case. The Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. Sir Francis Bell moved the second reading of the Westport Harbor Bill, which provides for the Government taking control of the harbor. This harbor, he said, was far too important from all points of View to he allowed to fall into disrepair. The Bill was read a second time without discussion, and was put through committee and finally passed without amendment.

The Council adjourned at 3.55 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. A HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME. Tho House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to Mr. J. V. Brown (Napier), the Hon. J. G. Coates .(Minister of Public Works) said the Department's estimate of the cost of tho Waikaremoana hydro-electric scheme was £43,610. A tender for the machinery of £13,120 was let, and it was hoped the roads and bridges would be finished this summer. He added that all departments of the undertaking were well in hand now.

PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT! Replying to Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt), the Hon. J. G. Coates said the Public Works Statement Would be laid on the table on Friday week. In reply to a further question, the Minister said there would bo a Railway Authorisation Bill this session. Mr. Massey remarked that the Public Works Statement was so far complete that no further applications for works would be considered. THE COUNTIES BILL. The Counties Bill was reported from 1 committee with a recommendation that it be allowed to proceed with amendments. Mr. Massey said that if convenient he would ask the House to pass the short title at that sitting. Later, the Bill was passed. MONEY IN OPOSSUMS. The Hon. G. J. Anderson moved the' seeoild reading Of the Animals Protection Amendment Bill. He explained that the Bill had been misunderstood in some quarters, an impression having gained ground that the measure proposed to protect opossums, whereas it proposed to make them a marketable commodity, those animals having become too numerous, and very destructive in certain districts. The destruction of opposums and tlie export of their skins would be carried on.under license and regulation. Other amendments to the main Act had been suggested, but there was no time to do it this session. During the recess, the Act would be consolidated, when the suggested amendments would be included. The Bill was passed withoiri amendment, COMPANIES BILL. The Hon. E. P. Lee moved the second reading of the Companies Amendment Brill, which he said, proposed to make two amendments in the existing law: (1) Extending'the powers of dairy companies to take shares in associated industries, without altering their articles of association, and (2) enabling companies to reorganise their share capital by special resolution, modifying the conditions contained in the memorandum of association. The Bill was passed without amendment. ' 'AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. The Hon., W- H. Ncswortliy made a statement concerning the administration of the Agricultural Department, in which he said the criticism levelled against the department in respect of its, expenditure was not warranted by the facts of the case, if proper consideration was given to the responsibilities which the department has to undertake. It has to deal with all matters connected with tho industries of the land, which, by means of their output of primary products provide approximately 93 per o.ent. of the total exports from the Dominion, thus really providing nearly the whole of the financial resources upon which tlie community exists. The House rose at 9.30 p.m.