PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1921, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY’S SITTING. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. SUPPLY BILL PASSED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night, The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Imprest Supply Bill was received from the House, put through all stages and passed. Sir Francis Bell, replying to the Hou. J. MacGregor (Dunedin), said ’lie thought an amendment of the law was necessary to prevent women having the right in abortionist eases to refuse to give evidence. He would possibly produce legislation on the point this session. The Council rose at 2.35 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DEBATE ON SCENIC MATTERS. ADVERTISING THE DOMINION. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. Massey announced that Mr. W. S. Shortt had been appointed a member of the North Island Representation Commission, vice Mr. W. C, Kensington. Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) presented a petition from the leaders of over four hundred organisations praying for the appointment of women justices of the peace, women jurors, and women police. The Hon, W. Nosworthy laid on the table the annual report of the Tourist Department. Mr. F. F. Hockly (Rotorua) raised the question of the Government’s action in appropriating Pukeroa Hill at Rotorua as a site for the King George Hospital without giving the people of Rotorua any adequate compensation tor the loss of what they considered one of the best assets in. their district. Mr. T. M. Wjlford (Leader of the Opposition) made a protest against the inadequate representation of New Zea; land in America. He said the New Zeai land agency in San Francisco was wholly unworthy' and a representative ; should be sent to the United States who could place before, the people of America information regarding all phases of New Zealand life and industry, which they so much desired to hear. Spoken propaganda was far more effectual than any other form of advertising, and what New Zealand should do is to send to America and Canada someone capable of j placing before the people there the seei nic, industrial, healthful and legislative i attractions of the Dominion. This i method of advertising would induce . many wealthy Americans and Canadians ito visit the Dominion.

Sir R. Heaton Rhodes (Minister of Defence) stated in reply to Mr. Hockley that he was acting in conjunction with the Minister in charge of the Tourist Department, and steps were being taken to provide Rotorua with grounds which would compensate that town for the loss of the Pukeroa reserve, taken fo.- military hospital purposes. The discussion was continued for the remainder of the afternoon sitting, ’members availing themselves of the opportunity to give prominence to the scenic beauties of their respective districts. THAMES POWER LOAN. SUCCESSFUL FLOTATION. Mr. Massey made a statement concerning the floating of the Thames Valley electric power loan of £350,000, backed by a Government guarantee. He ' said the cables at the time announced that the loan was a complete success. An official report on the raising of the loan arrived by the last mail and confirmed the cabled reports. This report showed that the loan was raised at 96 and six per cent., and so numerous -.vere applicants that the lists closed within an hour of opening, and the loan was subscribed seven times over. The comments of the English papers, were most favorable and emphasised the. point which he so often made that we must not do anything that ■will lower the credit of the Dominion, either here or in England. It also emphasised the fact that London was still the financial centre of the world, which was very satisfactory to all concerned. LAW PRACTITIONERS. RECIPROCITY WITH BRITAIN. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners Amendment Bill, which he said was designed to correct a technical defect in the present Law Practitioners’ Act. Recently a Scottish law agent made an application for enrolment in New Zealand and on a ruling of the Supreme Court it was found that this could not be done, the definition of the term “solicitor” being different in Scotland to that put upon it in New Zealand. Mr. Wilford said he would support the Bill, and at the same .time he voiced a ’grievance of law practitioners in New Zealand against, the want of reciprocity displayed by the British Law Society towards New Zealand lawyers. He suggested that the Premier should make representations on the point to the Lord Chancellor with a view to inducing the British Law Society to open their doors more freely to members of the profession who acquired qualifications in New Zealand. The Bill was read a second time. LOCAL BODY LOANS. A QUESTION OF INTEREST. On consideration of the report on the Local Bodies’ Loans Amendment Bill. Mr. Wilford said he feared the intention of the ‘government was to seize the fiiakiur .of local bodies’ loaa He

asked the Minister to say in reply in what form he intended to amend clause six when it was before the Legislative Council, in accordance with the promise made by the Premier when the Bill was in committee of the House.

Mr. Massey contended that the Government had no intention of taking local body sinking funds. The object of the clause was to enable a higher rate of interest to be obtained for sinking funds invested by the Public Trust Office. He was prepared to renew hie promise to the House tha-t clause six would be amended in the Legislative Council. 3 he clause was, in his opinion, too wide and must be amended, but he wished to emphasise the point that the clause was not intended to benefit public finance. The Bill was read a third time and passed. The House rose at 10.55 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.