30 New Bills

Passed at N.G. Legislative Council’s Two-Days’ Session

From Our Own Correspondent RABAUL, March 16.

THE first session of the Legislative Council in 1936 was opened by His Honour the Administrator on February 25, and in two days 30 bills were intro duced and passed. Only one bill was withdrawn—a measure for Workmen’s Compensation, which was held over to enable greater consideration being given to its provisions.

Several bills dealing with machinery measures were introduced and passed without debate. An interesting bill was brought forward by the Crown Law Of ficer providing legal assistance for poor persons. Another measure provided for the adoption of children; this bill was eventually amended to exclude indigenes.

An amendment to the Lands Ordinance was introduced by the Secretary for Lands, providing that two prospect

ing areas can be held by one per son, and other small amendments affect ing mining. A Hire Purchase Agree ment bill was passed, and also an amend ment to the Customs Ordinance which now allows a draw-back on imports valued under £l.

A bill relating to Instruments and Sec urities was deferred for further con sideration when presented for its second reading, but was eventually passed.

The Government Secretary (Hon. H.

H. Page) introduced an amendment to the Marriage Ordinance, which excluded natives from the provisions of the main ordinance. This bill occasioned some debate, Hon. G. G. Hogan speaking against its introduction. The measure was passed.

The new Petroleum Bill, to take the place of that placed before the Council last year, was introduced by the Secre tary for Lands. The outstanding amend ment is in regard to the isssuing of per mits, licences and leases. After a short delay the bill passed all stages.

Other measures brought forward af fected the Liquor Ordinance (providing for the sale of drinks during certain hours on Sunday) and amended the Mortgagors’ Relief Bill (extending its provision for another year).

On February 27, the Shipping Bill was introduced by the Government Secretary, but the second reading stage of the bill was postponed on the application of Non- Official members until the following day, to enable answers to be received from radios despatched to the Prime Minister, praying that the bill be held over for another session.

The Non-Official Members of the Coun cil despatched a radio message in pro test to the Prime Minister. Similar mes sages were despatched from the Planters’

Association of New Guinea and the Executive of the Returned Soldiers’

League. The reply received from the Prime Minister was not favourable, and the bill came before the Council on Fri day morning for debate.

The Hon. J. C. Mullaly spoke in strong est terms against the bill and the method adopted by the government in introduc ing it over the heads of the Council and in defiance of its recorded resolutions.

He finished his oration by tendering his resignation from the Executive and Legis lative Councils.

The Bill passed all stages and was re served for assent of the Governor-Gen eral.

The Council was prorogued on Friday morning, February 28.

Miss Olive (Malienafau) Nelson, daugh ter of Mr. and Mrs. O. F. Nelson, for merly of Samoa, has passed the final examination for the degree of Bachelor of Law, entitling her to become a barrister and solicitor of the New Zealand Supreme Court.

Miss June Lett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Lett, of Port Moresby, Papua, recently returned to Australia from Nor folk Island, where for some months she was the guest of Captain and Mrs. C.

R. Pinney, at Government House. Miss Lett left by the March Macdhui for Papua to visit her parents.

Mr. C. E. H. Rich, who recently arrived in Port Moresby by the Macdhui, has been appointed adviser to the Mines Depart ment of the Papuan Administration. He was formerly with the Australian Mining Trust Limited at Meekatharra, Western Australia.