Parliamentary Gossip.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 210, 5 September 1893, Page 2

Parliamentary Gossip.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY.

A GOOD NIGHT'S WORK,

(BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.)

Wellington, this day.

The first portion of the evening sitting waß devoted to measures emanating from the Department of Justice, and certain garrul--Bua member being absent, the debates we ra brief, and the progress made was commendable. The second reading of the Magistrates' Court Bill was moved by the Hon. Mr Reeves and supported by Sir Eobert Stout. The latter hoped that both this and the Criminal Code Bill, which had been' originally introduced eight years ago, would pa3B their second reading formally. He might also suggest that the Libel Bill be taken that evening, as he observed the avowed opponents of thab measure were absent from the House. There was a laugh at this reference to Messrs Fish and Fisher, but Ministers gave no sign of complying with the invitation. The second reading of the Magistrates' Court Bill was carried on the voices without dsbate, and committal was fixed for Wednesday. Mr Reaves next moved the second reading of the

CRIMINAL CODE BILL,

which, he explained, had been passed bix times through the Council, and had been read a second timo in tho Houee on three occasions. Ha pointed out that only in one instance was new punishment introduced in this measure. No increase of penalty was in nny caBO proposed, and in many cases punishments were largely reduced. The Bill had been fully and repeatedly revised, and ho saw no reason why it should not pass into law this session with very little discussion. Members did not seem inclined to ngreo with the Ministerial opinion. Mr Taylor started the debate by denouncing many of tbe punishments as too severe, and by declaring the whole measure out of harmony with the spirit of the age. Mr Geo. Hutchison was loss sweeping, but no less hostile to the Bill. The measure had been before the Committee of this House laßb year, but a majority of that Committee's recommendations had been ignored by the Government, which certainly was not the way to facilitate passage of the Bill. He wenb on to object to certain clauses, and more especially to tho provision empowering a single Justice of tho Peace to take proceedings against suspected person?. Sir Uoberb Stoub said there musb be many things requiring discussion in any consolidating measure, but there were now rery few parts of this Bill that were open to objection. He suggested as the only means of gotting the Bill passed this session that the Governmonb should only commit the clauses containing new provisions, and such other clauses as members might wish to hare considered.

Mr Tanner joined in condemnation of the Government! for ignoring the arduous labours of last year's Committee on thiß Bill, and denounced many of tho punishments provided by ib as being copied from the time when liberty of the subject was vory little understood and even less regarded. He hoped the Committee would go through this measure clause by clause. The Hons. Fergnß and Allen supported the Bill, the latter pointing out thab tho value of the measure could bs inferred from the lisb of Acts it repealed, extending to three pages of print. Mr Palmer reminded the House that this measure provided for the establishment of a Criminal Court of Appeal, and there was in ib other new matter which made ib very different from a codifying Bill.

Tho Premier said he agreed that Borne punishments provided were too severe. Ho la3ft year agreed with most of the amendments made by the Committeo, and his opinions had not altered one jot, but the object of the Government in bringing down the Bill was to enable memberi to make necessary alterations. Ho agreed with tho suggestion of Sir Robert Stoub as to referring certain clausos only to tho Committee.

Mr Fergus raised the question of order as to whether thia could be done, and the Speaker ruled such procedure would be quite in order, as the Bill had been reported upon by a salect Committee. Mr C. Mills expressed approval of the Bill, chiefly becauae it provided for a Criminal Court of Appeal, and Mr Hoeg followed in the same line, making such lengthy reference to tli6 Chomis capo that he was called to order. Mr Hogg went on to declaim against the drastic punishments of the Bill, declaring that the measure was throughout saturated with blood, as it proTided for flowing and whipping. Ho would like to see radical reform proposed, bo as to substitute rational treatment for irrational punishment of prisoners. In his opinion, expressed in resonant Doric, our whole Bye torn of dealing with criminals is nothing short of ahideouatravesty of justice. When Mr Hogg's denunciations were done, Mr Wm. Hutchison took up the parable againab the Bill, and declared that nothing short of clause by clause consideration would be satisfactory to him. _ He specially pointed out that the provisions made for dealing with Buch crimes as treason and sedition were quite inapplicable to this colony as such offences were out of the question here. After a brief reply from the Minister, in which he expressed himself in favour of a certain suggested amendment, the second reading waa carried on the voices, and the Bill was set down for committal on Thursday. It was resolved on M r Reeves' motion that the Committee nhould only consider such clauses as should be resolved upon ab a future date. Mr Wm. Hutchison wished to know if he could on Thursday move that all the clauses be considered, and the Speaker's reply in the affirmative appeared to reassure him, though ib doubtless had the opposite effect on those who wish to see the Bill passed.

DISTRICT COURTS JURISDICTION

EXTENSION BILL.

This measure noxb claimed attention. Mr Reeves making bub tow observations in explanation of ita provisions, Sir R. Stout followed with a not very pertinent, though very suitable criticism, thab ib would bo boat to abolish District Courts altogether. Mr George Hutchison puO in a plea for increase ot ll.M.s' salaries, and, after a few words from the Minister, the second reading was carried, and the Bill was aeb down tor committal on to-day.

CIVIL SERVICE BILL.

The claims of Justice being thus satisfied, the Treasury had short a turn and Mr Ward (job through the Becond reading of the Civil Service Officers' Guaranteo Bill. Then the Departmentof Lands claimed an innin&rs, and Mr McKenzio moved the second reading of theLandDrainage Bill, whichbesaid wasdoBired by eetolers all over the colony. Messrs Wright, Buchanan and Newman criticised the Bill in some detail, bub the second reading wa3 promptly agreed to on the understanding that the measure should be reforred to tho Stock and Agricultural Committee. In rapid succession tho Land Act Amendment Bill, Gimmerburn Forest Bill, and Knygdon Land Uranb Bill passed their second readings, and inembera dispersed for supper with the consciousness of a good evening's work done.

LABOUR BILLS.

The Labour Billa Committee of the Council meb yesterday and had the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill under consideration.' Tho Minister for Labour

attended and explained a number of points upon which information was desired.

TOO MUCH POLITICS,

It has been pointed out at a meeting of the Reporting of Debates Committee that the circulation of Hansard outside official copies has fallen from over 1,100 to under 300. This decadence, dospito the cheapness and convenience of ordering through the post office, is looked upon as an evidence of the unpopularity of that publication. A prompt broad-sheet issue containing a full and unrevised report of the proceedings of the House would, it is thought, be more acceptable to the public. The present publication is much behind the time, and is co emasculated by members' repeated alterations as to be practically worthless as a record of Parliamentary utterances. The Committee has not yeD made up its collective mind as to what should be done to bring Hansard more in accord with popular requirements.