WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 3.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 26

WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 3.

.In th j Huuss of Representatives to - day the afternoon sitting was taken up with replies to questions. The Government having given the Opposition reasonable representation on committees, some of the sessional committees were set up in the evening. The Sunday Labour in Mines Preveutton Bill was pub through Comtniltee. The new Mining Bill and tbe Cyauide Patent Purchase Bill wftre read a second time and referred to the GoldQelds Committee. The Slaughter and Inspection Bill, Laud and Income Assessment, Explosives, and Wesbport-Ngakawau Railway Extension Bills were also read a second time.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

The Hdb. Mr CARROLL said ho was not at preseHt in a position to afford any information ai to the reasons for imprisoning tb.9 Natives for trespassing on certain lands.

Replying to Mr R. Thompson,

The Hon. Mr M'KtSNZIE said the Agricultural department was considering the advisability of what steps should be taken to prevent the importation oi peet-infeefced fruifc.

Repljing to Mr Hogg.

The Hod. Mr HALL JONE3 said he should give careful consideration to the question of issuing a handbook for the assistance of settlers containing a digest of the Land Act and other laws affecting farmers and graziers.

Replying to Mr Hogg,

The Hon. J. M'KtiNZIE said careful confederation would bo given to the questioa of having sheep dips carefully analysed to prevent inferior adulterated dips being placed on the market.

Replying to Mr Piran?, whether any farther steps are to ba taken for the recovery of the mails oq board the Tasmania, and if the Post-master-genera.) will consider the advisability of using waterproof bags for enclosing ail mails in future,

The R'ghb Hon. Mr SEDDON aaid he was not awfire of any country using waterproof bags for its mails. -

Replying to Mr Massey,

The Hon. Mr CAD MAN said be saw no reason why chairmen of education boards should have free passes on the railways any more than any other department*, and it was not a fair charge on the railways.

Replying to Mr Monk, whether the Government will furnish to each of our national schools a fl*g of New Zaa.la.nd,

Trie Hon. Mr HALL-JONES said he felt so strongly on this question that be would promise to give effect iudirectly, if not directly, to his desire. -Replying to Mr Smith,

Tbe Hod. Mr CADMAN said there wa» no necessity to send to New South Wales for an expert to inspect the reported discovery of opals in- Sauth Canterbury, but if opals were sout to Me Skey they would be examined by him.

Rpplying to Mr O'Regan, if a sum of money would be placed on the Estimates this session for the purpose of acclimatising Rocky Mountain sheep, Angora goats, chamois, and .other anitn*h suited to the mountainous districts of New Zealand,

The Hon. Mr CARROLL said there was £300 on thu Estimates for the importation of Rocky Mountain sheep, and tbe other matters would be considered.

Replying to Mr Joyce, whether the Government will arrange to repossess the orphanage buildings at Lytteltou, and establish therein na.va.l training schools,

The Right Hon. Sir SEDDON said these buildings would be required for the orphanage, and it was desirable to separate the criminal classes from the non-criminal.

Replying to Mr Mills,

The Right Hon. Mr SEDDON said the Government would fully consider the advisability of providing a naval training ship for the youths of the colony.

Replying to Mr O'Meara,

The Hon. J. M'KENZIE said ha had no intention this session to introduce legislation enabling the Crown to remit the rent on bush lands for a term of three years from the date of occupancy.

Replying to Mr Mills,

The Hon. J. M'KBNZIB said it would rest with the House whether a duly qualified analytical expert should ba appointed to make analysis of the soil on different farms in various parts of the colony. He inteuded putting a vote on the Estimates.

Replying too Me Hogg, whether the Government will relax the regulation relating to the sale of trout co as to permit of such sales, The Hoa. Mr CARROLL said great care should be taken in catching trout, especially in the North Island, whera the rivers were nob yet sufficiently stocked. A bill would be submitted dealing with the whole subject.

Replying to Mr Lethbridge, whether the Government will amend the Government Loads to Local Bodies Act in the direction of allowing county councils and road boards to borrow uuder thit act a larger sum per year than that fixed by tbe act,

The Right Hon. Mr SEDDON said he was averse to extendiug the borrowing powers of local bodies, but there were exceptional circumstances in the case of Hawke'* Bay, and Rungitikei, and a bill would be brought down dealing with the special circumstances of those districts.

Replying to Mr Meredith, whether the Government are aware that the Bank of New Zealand recently imported from California to Auckland 2000 or more sacks of wheat for milling purposes ; and if co is ib politic for a Government institution to enter into competition with the producing community of the colony, The Right Hon. Mr SEDDON did not think it right to interfere in that way, but he thought they should allow the Bank of New Zealand to conduct their business in their own way.

SUNDAY LABOUB IN MINKS.

The Hou«e went into Committee on Sunday Labour in Mines Prevention Bill.

Clause 2, employment of manual labour in mints on Sunday prohibited. — Mr Herries moved an addition to the clause providing that an appeal can be lodged against tbe decision of the inspector. He considered too much power was put into the hands of the inspector of mines in this bill, and there should be an appeal allowed from the inspector to the Wardeu's Court.— The Right Hon. Mr Skddon said the amendment might prove dangerous. They had never yofc provided that where the lives of men might be in jeopardy thera should be an appeal from the inspector to the Warden's Court. The amendment should not be made in clause 2, bub in clause 3, which provided for cases in which an inspector may grant permission. If this were done he should accept the addition. — After some discussion the Right Hon. Mr Seddon moved to insert the words ••or warrleu" after "inspector of mines" ; but eventually bo^h amendments were withdrawn, aud Mr R. Jl'Kenzie moved, as an addition to clause 2, " Provided that the clause shall not apply to workmen employed in pumping or air driving machinery." — The Right Hon. Mr Seddon said he could not accept the amendment as he saw no necessity for it. — The proviso was lost by 40 to 23.

Clause 3, cases iv which the inspector may grant pernvsnon. — Mr O'Rkoan moved a proviso — "That in no c,tse should workmen' be employed in any miuefrjr over 45 hours a week." — The Right Hon. Mr Seddon moved to add — "That workmen should uot work over 45 hours a week, unless absolutely necessary." — Mr O' Regan's proviso was lost by 52 to 13, and the cltuse passed.

Clnuse 4, penalty for breach of the act. — Mr Taylor moved — " That the penalty be £5 ingbe*dof £I."— C*rried. — The Hob. Mr Larnach moved — "That the penalty foraseeoud offence should nob exceed £Lo."— Lisb by 35 bo 27. xhe remaining clauses passed without amendment.

Mr Hbreies moved a new clause providing for a right of appeal to the warden from the inspector of mines uuder section 2. — Carried.

Mr G. Hutchison snored a new clause that the act should come iuto operation on a future date to be notified iv the New Zealand G*z*,tte — The Right Hod. Mr Seddon said he should agree to the act rpminsj into force on the Ist December. — Mr Hutchison contended that was too e arly, as thsacb would not be put through both Houses till clo3o on the Ist December, and people would not kuow anything about the law being in foros. — The Right Hon. Mr Seddon said if this waaagood bill it should be brought into operation atence, and he ventured to say every mine manager in tha colony knew th\b this legislation was before the house — Mr Hutchison moved that the act ah >uld come into operation on the Ist of January, 1898. — Carried.

The bill was reported with amendments, which were ordered to be considered next fitting day. f

THE MINING BILL.

The Hon. Mr CADMAN moved the second reading of the Mining Bill to consolidate and amend the law relatiug to mines and mining. He said he wished to move the second reading pro forma and send it to the Goldfiilds Committee.— Agreed to.

Mr SCOBIE MACKENZIE gave notice to move on 'this bill coming back to the House an amendment to tbe — " That no Minister of the Crow/i should hold a position on mining syndicates." The Hon. Mr CADMAN said if this amendment were carried he should leave the Treasury benches.

THE CYANIDK PATENT,

The Hon. Mr CAD MAN ! moved, pro forma, the second reading of the Cyanide Process Gold Extraction Bill. — A.greed to, and the bill was referred to the Gold fields CatnmHtee.

SLAUGHTERING AND INSPECTION.

The Hon. J M'KENZIE moved the eecond reading of the Slaughtering and Inspection Bill, profnrma. — Agreed to.

LAND AND INCOMB TAX.

The Land and Income Assessment Bill was read a second time, pro forma, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.

EXPW>SIVE3,

The Hon. T. THOMPSON moved the second reading of the Exp'osives Act Amendment Bill, to amend "The Explo-ives Act, 1882." He said the bill was brought in at the request of the Commander of the Forces. — Agreed to.

■VVESTPOBT-NGAKAWAU RAILWAY.

The Hon. Mr CADMAN mored the second read : ng of the We«tporl-Ngak»wau Railway Extension Act Amendment Bill to amend the bill of 1890. He explained the position of the company, and said they wished to get more capital and to reorganise the company. The revenue under the bill belonged to the Westport Harbour B ard.

Captain RUSSELL thought eotne evidence should betaken as to the position of the various coal 'corepinies for whose benefit this lin9- was formed. - There was very little doubt that the railway was made to benefit certain shareholders in these companies, and the House should know the position of these shareholders before they passed this bill. He might be told this was not the colony's money, and that it belonged to the Weitpoct Harbour Board, but he pointed out that the loan was in some way guaranteed by the colony. The Right Hon. Mr SEDDON said he had no objection to this bill being referred to the Railway Committee, as it would stop a debate. He said at the time the .bill was passed there was a strong company called tbe Mokihinui Company which has a railway coming down to Port Mokihinui. The company had now practically dropped out of existence, and the charge of keeping up the line fell on the WestportCardiff Company. The charge was so heavy that unless some relief were given there was a possibility of their ceasing operations altogether. The Governmenb had come to the conclusion that they would refer the matter to the House and let it deal with it. Those who had held originally thought the line-would pay, and that they would not be c*Ued on to make up the deficiency. He held, however, that the House should not be asked to relieve this company of its legal liabilities till all possible information was before it. His colleague (Mr Cadmnn) had no objecbion to refer the bill to the Railways Committee.

Mr. G. HUTCHISON said this railway was virtually constructed at the expense of the colony, and ha saw no reason why the House should relieve a number of speculators from their liabilities, nor why they should be particularly tender with the Weatport-C»rdiff Company. He thought the bill should ba rejected and not referred to any committee except the Public Accounts Committee.

Mr TAYLOR asked whether Mr Cadman was willing to allow the bill to go to the Public Account i Committee. The Hon. Mr Cadmau nodded ia the affirmative.

Mr O'REGAN did not object to the bill going, to this committee or to any committee the House might think fib. He pointed out that the financial position of the board was good, bub shareholders in the Mokihinui Company had lost £90,000 of their money, and there was now only 3d par sh&re uncalled.

Mr R. THOMPSON asked why the Mokihinui shareholders wished to be relieved of tbeic liabilities.— (Mr O'Reqan : " Because they can't pay.") He thought steps should be taken to compel them to pny their obligations, but if they could not do it then the House might deal with this bill.

Messrs ' Taylor, Crowther, R. M Kenzie, Rolleston, Richardson, Buchanan, and Moore also spoke on the bill. The Hon. Mr CADMAN said it was no con■ideration either to him or the Governments whether this bill passed oc not, bat if it did not; pass they might have the line on 'their hands. He thought when the whole matter was gone into the Hoaia would see the desirability of passing the bill.

The motion was agreed to. hit amendment, and the bill was referred to ' the Railways Committee. MINISTERS AND MINING SYNDICATES.

Mr Cadman to-night moved, the cecond read-* ing of the Mining Bill, pro forma, iv order that it be referred to the Gold fields Committee. Thereupon Mr Scobie Mackenzie asked the Speaker what was the proper time, ta move an instruction on this bill to the Committee of the Whole. The Speaker said when a motion was made to leave' the chair in order to go into Committee on the ' bill. Mr Scobie Mackenzie thereupon gave ' notice of the following, which was received' with ' cries of "Hear, hear": — "That'-it be an instruction to the Committee of the Whole on bha * Mining Bill that; they have power to insert a provision by' which any Minister for Mines or other Minister of the Crown shall be dabarred from occupying paid position? ou mining syndicates or companies operating- in the ' colony." Following the notice of motion Mr . Cadman created some sensation by the remark, " I can only say, Sir, if that is moved in this House I shall leave these benches." The Speaker rsuiarked that ths matter oould not be discussed just then, aod called on the nsxb order of day. A few miuufces afterward* Mr Cadman rose and explained that what he meant; to say was that if the motion was o*rnrd he would leave the tenches. Mr Scobie Mackenzie said the hoo. gentlem*a acemod totally to misapprehend the meaning of what he had moved. Ib was, be explained, necessary to mention the Minister for Mines to connect the instruction to the Committee with tae bill. The motion was nob aimed at the hoa. gentleman or any Minister in particular. Ib was meant to be a general thing and nob aimed at any one Minister. Mr Se^don : " Bub at the whole of them." Mr Mackenzie s»id, "Yss, th*t was «o." I m*y here expUin that an " instruction " is a p»rlinm«ntary means by which a comenittoe may have power to do what ordinarily ib cannot do. Tha rffect is to open oat the question again for the House to deal with.

NATIVE LA.ND LEGISLATION.

Mr Carroll has introduced "The Native Lind Laws Amendment Aot, 1896," which provides for the repeal of tuo word "mortgage" in last jears' act. Theinc'unou of this word, the Premier alleg'd the other day, prejudicially effected 30,000 acres of Native land. The bill contains also a retro*pective provision regarding section 13 of the act of 1895, "as from the date o£ the passinjf thereof." This section provides 1 thib a confirmation order nud«»r tha seal of the Native Land Court, or oertificaba under section 55 of the principal act endorsed on any d««d, -■ shall be conclusive evidence for all purposes of ■ title that such deed is not in contravention of any provisions of the principal or amending; aot.

JOTTINGS

Notice has been given by Mr Seddon of the Alien Icnmigratioa Restriction Bill.

Mr J. M Kenzie is t.> move that the name of Mr G. F. Richardson bo discharged from the Agricultural and Pastoral Industries Committee and the name of Mr Massey substituted therefor.