FRIDAY JULY 10.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIII, Issue 1141, 17 July 1896, Page 3

FRIDAY JULY 10.

In the Legislative Council — The Representation Act Amendment Bill was passed through all its stages without amendment. A bill to raise the age of consent to 16 years was read a second time by 18 to 5. The Coroners Bill and Municipal Corporations Bill passed through committee, and the Council then adjourned. In the House of Representatives — Mr Seddon gave notice to introduce a Juvenile Depravity Prevention Bill. In reply to Mr Duthie, Mr Seddon said the Bank of New Zealand contingency tund account was not nearly exhausted, but he reiterated his refusal to answer any questions relating to the private business of the Bank. In reply to other questions Ministers stated — That discipline must be maintained in the police force, and on that account it was not desirable that a board of appeal for the police be established. — That the Government intended to bring in a Hill this session to give them power to take land for the estab lishment of state farms with a view to coping with the unemployed difficulty. I — That if the progress of business ; would permit, the Beet Sugar Bill would be re-introduced this session. — That a bill would be introduced this session dealing with the classification of railway servants. Mr Seddon moved that the Standing O:ders be suspended so as to enable the proceedings of the Banking Committee to be open to the press except when the commit tee. are deliberating. He thought the best plan would be to allow the Press Gallery to nominnte two reporters to report the proceedings as if all the press reporters in Wellington were allowed to attend the com mittee there would be no room for them. Captain Russell objected altogether to the Press being adniitted to this committee. There was no doubt at all that some reports would be more or less of a partisan character, according to the views of the newspapers represented, and that would be inadvisable on every ground. He moved as an amendment to the Premier's motion that the committee shall have power to report day by day the minutes of the evidence taken before it, but such report shall not be held to rescind the standing order which precludes the publication of evidence till a report is presented to the House. Messrs G. W. Russell and W. Hutchison opposed the amendment, and thought all press men should have free access to the committee. Sir R. Stout thought the House should make the report's of the committee privileged. Dr Newman said the report of the committee would not have the slightest weight with the country. Mr Hogg defended the reporters from the charge of giving biassed reports. Messrs Earnshaw and Bell were opposed to the admission of the press. Mr Pitani resented Mr Hogg's insinuations that reports wore manipulated by sub-editors, Mr George Hutchison supported the motion because he thought it would be to the interest not only of the public but to the bank itself that the mystery which surrounded the whole matter should be dispelled. His onty object in going on the committee was to get at the facts. Messrs Buchanan, J. "W. Kelly, and Mills were in favour of the admission of reporters. . Mr Thomas Mackenzie objected to exception being made in the case of this Banking Committee. If this committee were to be open to the Press so also should the proceedings of other committees. Mr Duthie said he would refrain from voting on the question. On a division Captain Russell's amendment was negatived by 41 to 9. Mr Seddon, in his reply, refuted the statement of the leader of the Opposition that the Government were to blame for the ion-representation of the Opposition on the Banking Committee. The motion was then put and carried by 45 to 9. Mr Seddon said he found some difficulty in appointing two non-official members for each island for the Representation Commissions and he asked for the assistance of the House in the matter.. He said it was extremely difficult to select men who were not prominently connected with politics and yet who hnd sufficient knowledge of the country to enable them to do satisfactory york on the Commission. On the motion for the third reading of the Rating on Unimproved^ Value Bill Mr Seddon moved that the bill be

recommitted for the purpose of reconsidering clauses 3 and 10, and also to insert a new clause. — Mr O'Regan moved that clause 2 be also reconsidered. — Mr Seddon objected to this being done as it would rpopnn the whole of the discussion. — Mr O' Regan's amendment was carried by 31 to 29 and the bill recommitted. In clause 2 Mr O'Regan moved that 'improvements' shouid include reclamations. — Mr Seddon said this amendment would render the bill a dead letter. Amendment lost by 32 to 9. Amendments to include embankments, tramways and railways among 'improvements' were lost by narrosv major i ties. Clause 2 passed without alteration and slight amendments were made in other portions of the bill, which was than reported and, after a short debate the third reading was carried by 37 to to 8, and the bill passedThe Gold Duties Act Amend ment Bill was passed through committee. The House rose at 1 a.m.