IMPREST SUPPLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 145, 20 June 1891, Page 5

IMPREST SUPPLY.

An Imprest Supply Bill for £200,000 and a Bill to authorise tho renewal of deficiency bills to the amount of £716,100 were passed through all stajree in the House yesterday afternoon, notwithstanding the protest entered by Dr. Newman again at the largeness of amount asked for, and the assertion which he made that the amount was £3,000 in excess of that granted last year for interest on deficiency bills. in reply to a question as to what the money wae wanted lor, Mr Ballanca said most of the outstanding deficiency bills were bearing interest/ at 5 per cenfc. In previous years the practice was on tho hist day of the financial year to ' pay oil" certain of tho doiiciency bills and on tho first day ot tho new year to issue tho bills again. Tha*i looked to him like a mere trick, and tho present Government did nob intend to adopt any sue!) system. As a matter of fact tho amount required this yam , was the same as was voted last year. As to whether tho rate ot interest con Id be reduced, ha said that matter would bo more properly discussed during the financial debate. LABOUR BILLS. All tho Labour Bills thrown out lasb winter session, and which have boen reintroduced by the present Government, passed tho second reading yesterday afternoon without) discussion, and were referred to a select commitboo, with the understanding that the measures should bo debated on tho motion for committal.

in moving the second reading of the Bills tho Hon. Mr Reeves explained that the Factories und Shops Bills were now introduced separately. Tho last-named measure proposes to limit the business hours in the shops of citioe and boroughs by compelling all shops to c!o3a at 6 p.m. on four days per wock, at 9 p.m. on one day, and at 2 p. in. on ono day in the aftornoon. Women and young persons aro not to be employed in shops more than fifty-eight heurs per wock. The shop assistants, the Minister says, had triad to make arrangements with their employers as to the hours of labour, but without succoss, and they had found nothing could holp them except the power of Parliament. Ib was evident that a very few shopkeepers might defeat a movement of this kind, although tho majority wore in favour of_ it. The generous employer was unable to withstand the iron hand of competition. Tho other labour bills which passed their second readings were the Employers Liability Bill, Truck Bill and Factories Bill.

SIR GEORGE GREY INTERVIEWED

A deputation from the Labour Conference now sitting in Wellington waited on Sir George Grey at tha House last evening to invite an expression of his views on tho Labour Bitla now before Parliament. Sir Goorga recommended tbe labour party, if they could obtain unanimity amongst themselves, to support the measures now before the House, for the reason that they go a considerable length in the direction desired. Ho pointed one that so long as they had a nominated Upper House it was useless to attempt to pass into law real labour bills, and that all such measures as were now introduced were so framed or mutilated ac to bo acceptablo to the Legislative Council. Hβ promised to givethepresentlabbur bills hishoarty support but added that he could not do so with such enthusiasm aa if they had not in view an antagonistic Upper House. Tho deputation expressed their acknowledgments, and promised to co-operato with Sir George Grey in getting the measures now before Parliament passed into law aa the best measures that can be obtained under the circumstances. THE FEMALE FRANCHISE. Tho extension of the franchise to women seems to be the most prolific topic for debate by our legislators. When clause 3of the Electoral Bill came up for consideration in Committee, Sir J. Hall moved an amendment, the effect of which would be to include woman amongst tbe voters ab tho general election. The debate was animated and amusing, the speakers, including Messrs Fish, Bees, Scobio McKenzie, Buckland, and Sir George Grey, who gave a,most emphatic denial to the assertion repeatedly made, to the efiect that the women of tho colonies are indifferent 'in this matter. Ho eaid that in Australia he was waited upon by deputations from tho gontler sex, who nob only desired franchise, bub showed themselves fully qualified to exercise it. Ho could not, however, give his supporb ab present to tho admission of women to the House, seeing that arrang-oments had nob been made for their convenience, or to enable them to attend to their legislative duties. Ab this stage progress was reported and the House roso shortly aftor 9p.m—no doubb for the convenience of a number of members who appeared in dreessuits, ready for the adjournment to the ball ab Government House. CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEESThe Government were again subjected to a good deal of chaff from the Opposition aide of the House yesterday afternoon in regard to tho Chairmanship of Committees, Mr Perceval having been moved thero temporarily. Hon. Mr Bryce, with a 'seriocomic air, said the Opposition had been very much distressed with the disagreement that had taken place amongst the Government supporters on this subject. In fact, they regarded the matter with sorrowful contemplation. Day alter day passed, and the Government were unable to make up their mind. At this stage the Premier and Minister for Lands interjected, " We have made up our minds, and given notice of motion." Mr Bryce, quite equal to the occasion, replied, "Oh, then, if the Government have made up their minds, vay regrets change to hearty congratultion." Hβ went on to say he must further congratulate the Government) on having selected a white-headed boy, and said the Opposition would pat this vrhite-headad boy on the back just as heartily as did tho Government. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. There is a prospect of a warm debate on the subject of tho recent appointments made to the Legislative Council. Sir George Grey baa given notice of his intention °to move, "That a humble address be presented to His Excellency, praying that ho will bo pleased to authorise bis late advisei'3 to state, if this Houso deems it necessary lie should do so, the advice they rendered to the Governor in relation to the appointmont of gentlemen to the Legislatire Council subsequently to last general election. On the same subject Mr R. Reevea proposes to move that the conduct of the late Government in advising the Governor to mako tho recent appointments to the Legislative Council, notwithstanding the pledges distinctly given by Sir H. A. Atkinson to the lato Parliament, that no further appointments should be made, is unconstitutional and highly reprehensible, and that their action calls for the grarest censure of this House and country. TAX ON AMUSEMENTS. Mr Shera's Inebriates Home Bill provide ß for taxin" theatre, opera, and circus ticket* one penny in the shilling for the maintenance of these institutions. REFORM OF THE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council Reform Bill, limiting the term offutnro appointments to seven years, will pass the Upper House, but members will insist on a provision being made that the Speaker in future cannob be appointed from outside their Chamber.