MINOR BILLS TAKEN

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20910, 15 September 1939, Page 7

MINOR BILLS TAKEN

DAY IN PARLIAMENT NON-PAYMENT OF FINES DOMESTIC PROCEEDINGS BILL {■jr Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday The House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m.. One day’s leave of absence was granted to Dr. D. G. McMillan (Government Dunedin West) on account of sickness in his family. The Supplementary Estimates were introduced by Governor-General’s message. The acting-Leader of the House, the Hon. P. Fraser, in a brief statement before the routine business was commenced, said that members must be given time to examine the Supplementary Estimates, and therefore they would not be taken until this afternoon. The House would dispose of several Bills of a minor nature this morning. At 2.30 p.m. today, said Mr Fraser, he would be in a position to make a statement on the general effort of New Zealand in connection with the war, and the Minister of Finance would be able to give an outline of the finance connected therewith. Non-payment of Funds The Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, moving that the Summary Penalties Bill be committed, stated that the general principle of the Bill was that there should not be automatic imprisonment in default of payment of fines. In short, the Government wished to avoid imprisonment because of poverty. The Bill was committed this morning. Speaking on the Legitimation Bill, Mr Mason said its essential purpose was to bring the legitimation law in New Zealand into line with the English law. The Bill was committed. Moving that the Domestic Proceedings Bill be committed, Mr Mason said it dealt with separation proceedings in the Magistrate’s Court. The purpose of the Bill was to effect the reconciliation of parties, rather than have them go on with separation proceedings. There was no question of pressure or interference with the rights of parties. A similar measure had met with a fair measure of success in England. The Bill was committed. The Summary Penalties Bill, the Legitimation Bill and the Domestic Proceedings Bill were finally put through all stages and passedTrade Patents The Washing-up Bill and the Patents Design and Trade Marks Amendment Bill were introduced by Gover-nor-General’s message. Mr Fraser, explaining the introduction of the second mentioned measure, said the Government had decided at first not to introduce it because it was a formidable piece of legislation. However, it had been approached yesterday by those interested in trade marks and patents, including the member for Kaipara, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, who stated that the law as it at present stood provided a great handicap. They had asked that the Bill be allowed to proceed, and the Government had agreed to do this. If there were any controversy over the measure the Government would not go on with the Bill at present, and relief ! would be provided by means of a clause in the Statutes Amendment Bill. The Municipal Association Bill and the Taieri River Improvement Amendment Bill were rapidly passed through all stages, making a total of five Bills put through in the course of the morning. The House adjourned at 12.45 p.m. until 2.30 this afternoon. ADDITIONAL VOTES TRANSPORT OF FERTILISER NOTHING FURTHER FOR DEFENCE (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday The Supplementary Estimates, which, introduced in the House of Representatives to-day by GovernorGeneral’s message, provide for a total expenditure of £814,969. There is an additional vote of £2OO to cover the recent visit to England by the Minister of Finance (Hon. W. Nash) and staff. A grant of £SOOO is made to cover Maori participation in the centennial exhibition. The estimates of the Department of Justice and Prisons contain an item of £7OO to provide for the installation of the mechanical-recording machines in the Supreme Court in Wellington, and additional expenditure on radio facilities for aerodromes and air routes is represented by an item of £15,000. As additional subsidies amounting to £27,500 are voted for railway transport of lkne or farmers, and for fertilisers and farm produce. There is a vote of £40,000 in connection with expenditure on the Rangitata irrigation work. One noticeable feature about the Supplementary Estimates is the absence of any additional votes for defence purposes.