Mr. Leonard Evans (Brandon East): I move, seconded by the member for Burrows (Mr. Martindale), that Bill 302, The Grand Lodge of Manitoba of the Independent Order of Oddfellows Incorporation Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi constituant en corporation "The Grand Lodge of Manitoba of the Independent Order of Oddfellows," be now read a second time and be referred to a committee of this House.

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Motion presented.

Mr. Leonard Evans: Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to sponsor this particular bill on behalf of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, a very well-known service organization in Manitoba that indeed has made a significant contribution to our social development over many years and is engaged in many worthy causes. I can think of one, by way of example, in my own constituency where the local Oddfellows organization sponsored the development of a seniors citizens complex, and a very beautiful one indeed, and has helped therefore many senior citizens live in comfort and security by virtue of their work in that field.

This particular bill has a number of minor and technical amendments to the Grand Lodge of Manitoba of the Independent Order of Oddfellows original incorporating act. Firstly, the group is proposing that the name be slightly amended from one word, Oddfellows, to two words, Odd Fellows. Apparently this is a common usage today--that is, the two words as opposed to one combined word--and for all transactions and communications, the lodge has been using the latter spelling exclusively for many years. So we are simply recognizing what they are already doing.

Another section, Section 2(1) of the 1896 incorporating legislation, pursuant to that particular section the Grand Lodge of Manitoba was restricted in the value of the land that it could own to a maximum of $1 million. While the restriction may have been reasonable back in 1896, it has become problematic in today's market, and they are simply seeking to have that restriction on the land value removed entirely.

Another element of the bill relates to Section 3 of the 1896 act. Pursuant to that 1896 act the Grand Lodge of Manitoba was restricted in the amount of money it could borrow to a maximum of $50,000. Again, while this may have been a lot of money or provided a lot of flexibility in 1896, it is a very cumbersome provision today, and the bill seeks to remove this particular restriction entirely.

Another section deals with realty, real estate held in excess of $1 million obtained by way of a gift, donation or appreciation. This $1 million restriction is being removed by previous section and therefore Section 7 of the old act has no further application.

Those are the main elements of the bill, Madam Speaker, and, of course, as is usual with bills of this type, it is to accommodate the operation, the hopefully continued successful operation, of the organization involved. In this case, I am most pleased that the Order of the Oddfellows is carrying on and providing a service to the people of Manitoba. I urge all members of the House to support this legislation, pass it so that we can enable that very good organization to carry on with its work in the province of Manitoba. Thank you.

Madam Speaker: Is the House ready for the question? The question before the House is second reading of Bill 302. Is it the will of the House to adopt the motion?

Some Honourable Members: Yes.

Madam Speaker: Agreed? Agreed and so ordered.

Hon. Jim Ernst (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, given the passage of Bill 302, it is now referred to the Committee on Industrial Relations. They will sit tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m.

Madam Speaker: Bill 302 will be referred to the Standing Committee on Industrial Relations, which will meet Tuesday, November 5, 3 p.m.

Mr. Ernst: Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Stefanson), that Madam Speaker do now leave the Chair and the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider The Statute Law Amendment (Taxation) Act, Bill 63.

Motion agreed to, and the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider Bill 63, with the honourable member for St. Norbert (Mr. Laurendeau) in the Chair.