N.G. Legislative Council

Speed Record Maintained

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, Aug. 15.

THE second meeting of the Legislative A Council in 1936 opened on August 5 with the Administrator presiding. All official and non-official members were present and in 1J days, or approximately five working hours, 18 Bills were dealt with. One, dealing with Workmens’

Compensation, was referred to a special committee.

Most of the measures were of a routine, or machinery nature, such as defining more adequately the owner of a motor car, introducing permits for the brewing of liquor, measures affecting timber cutting for miners; public servants’ privileges; making the Wireless Tele phony Act of Australia operative here; exempting natives from the Licenses Ordinance: legalising lotteries, sweeps and the tote when approved; introducing measures extending leasehold periods of trading stations; and better conditions relating to companies desiring to work kunai grasslands.

New Shipping Bill

An amendment of the new shipping Ordinance was introduced for the purpose of “facilitating the administration of the Shipping Ordinance.” It alters the prin cipal ordinance by amending the defini tion of “local ship.” A “local ship” now is one licensed to engage in local trade (which is taking on board any passengers or cargo at any port in the Territory for landing at any port within the Territory).

A “local ship” must be licensed by the Administrator.

A further amendment is that a vessel which does not trade solely in the Terri tory may be granted a license to engage in local trade, and may then engage both in local and overseas trade; such licenses may be issued by the Administration in his “absolute discretion.”

Hon. J. C. Mullaly spoke strongly against the Bill more especially as an other amendment had been handed to them a week before; and this particular one was only placed on their desks on the morning the meeting opened.

Messrs. Grose, McLennan and Clark also spoke strongly against the Bill.

The Bill eventually was passed, being opposed by all the non-official members, with the exception of Mr. Perriman.

Estimates For The Year

Interesting figures were divulged when the Treasurer (the Hon. Orton Townsend) presented the estimates, which amounted to £454,100, for year ending June 30, 1937.

A new works programme had been drawn up with an expenditure of £102,770. Actual disbursement is not expected to exceed £78,000, when £3,000 from insurance of the Hermes is credited, and £21,770, is the amount estimated to remain unexpended at the close of the year.

Reductions in taxation will take the form of amending the present tariff on automobiles and parts from 20 per cent, to 10 per cent., and a remission of native labour taxes for another year.

The debates during the session were tame in comparison with previous meet ings. The non-official members appear to have become resigned to the omni potent power of Canberra, which over shadows everything.

Mr. R. E. Dwyer, Economic Botanist in the N.G. Department of Agriculture, re turned to Rabaul after leave by the Macdhui in August.