PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 155, 3 July 1896, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY,

(BS1 «BI,fi6BArH^PARIjTAMBK«A»T BE

fORtER.)

WsttiNGtON, Thursday. LOCAL BILLS.

It ia local Bills day. The measures considered in tho afternoon are of a non-con-tentioua nature and are not discussed at any greab length. The second reading of the St. Alban's Borough Council Special Loan Enabling Bill. Ofl-uaru Barbour Board Leases Validation Bill, and Picton Reserve? Bill are agreed to Witbonb disaenfc Majdr1 Steward's Mortgages Bill, which is to render less exponsivo tbe drawing up •f if.oi'tgAg* dMdit causes some discussion. Of course the lawyers in the Houso, or rathe*.*-*** Who Spflak, are n«b in favour of tbe Bill's proposals., Both Mr Bell and Sirß. Sfcortt speak in opposition to it, bub it meets with the hearty support of t|e Premier, wha promises to do whab ha can to promote its passage. A division i*) called fdr ofi the second reiading and results in 27 vobing for and 23 against it. Mr «. W, Kasse-.'s Canterbury College Bill eroates considerable talk, amongst tbe Canterbury fisembers chiefly, but> ib is only talk, and tbe measure passes its second reidine unopposed, , WOMEN AS LAWYERS. The same toe-nWr'a Bill, enabling Wbtneh when duly qualified to practice as lawyers, pasties ifca second reading nndebabod, DECEASED HUSBAND'S BBOtHER BILL

The same applies bo Mr Lawry's Deceased Husbaftd'fl Brobhor Marriage Bill, second resdiflf? of which is agreed to by 40 votes bo 10.

TBtfi CONVICT CHBMIS.

Jo fche evening Mr Mills takoa bis Bill enabling the convict Chetoia to apply for a new trial into Committee. The second clause v to1 provide that after the conviction of any person for any crime the Court before which the trial takes place may either during its settings, or at any time within twelve months after the close thereof, give leave to the prosecutor or the person convicted to apply to the Codrt of Aopaal for a new trial on certain grounds which are enumerated. Sir R. Stoub aska Mr Milts if he intends that an acquitted pMaOn la W be liablS to ba.re-Briod. This. Mr Mills says, its his inGention. ... ..,. Sir K. Stout points out that givihg the right of appeal to criminals baa been the cause of the degradation ot American juris* PrThe no Cpinion ot Mr Bell is tbab there were faw cases of persona wrongfully convicted, but there were hundreds of cases in which persons bad been wrongly acquitted. Sir R. Stout thinks that if the Govern' went are Convinced tbat Chemis has been wrongfully convicted, they should gen the Governor to eiercise his prerogative of mercy. Tb<s Premier points out that Chemis does not want a free pardon, bat a *Mr Pirani tells the Bouse that Mr Howard Vincent, head of the English Criminal Investigation Department, who was present when sentence WfU passed On Cbetnia. had said that if ever there was an innocent man convicted Chemis was that mate. Ho makes a sarcastic remark respecting the Premiers change of opinion in connection With the necessity for givittg CtoemU tt new trial.

A LIVBLt ENCOUNTER.

This brings the Premier to bis feet. Ho wives the member for Palnaerston a Roland for1 hU Oliver. The honourable gentleman is ' tod foadwof saying things tvbicb^ bad better have been left) unsaid, be says. Ine House ia getting intolerant of Mr Pirani a Barcism, and he intends taking steps to pub a, stop tg the present state_of afiairs. TJO fat'is' now fairly in the fire, and Mr Pirani jumps up as soon as the Premier has finißhod, arid asserts that the Premier is writhing under the Whip in respect of this Bfllj a statement which the Premier receives with roars ot laughter. When the Premier laughs, says Mr P»lmefßtoti, everyone knows he is most) enraged, bun the effect of this is only to make the Premier laugh ftlt «he more. This exasperates Palttisrston's chosen, and he tells the Hotise that the Premier's threat mean*, when Interpreted by a sharp man like himself, that he (the Premier) intends to use his influence against Mr Pirani a return at? Hex* election. fla challenges the Premier to contest tha Palmerston eaat with him, and is confident that the Premier will Hdt stand the ghost of a ebow of being returned. The Premier loses not a moment In meeting this throat* He does nofc want to descend to Mr Pirani's level, but reminds him than he (Mr Piraail had come to him on his bended marrow bones and asked binl t<J ueO his influence in getting him (Mr Pirani) returned to the House. The agile Pirani meets this oonnter throat* With the information that the Premier had telegraphed to him At general election time asking biui to sign a pledge to support the Liberal party. This th» Premier emphatically detnea, and further states that he has witnesses to ptove his statements respecting Mr Pirani's requesting assistance at election 'The incident* is brought to a close by Sir R Stout remarking lhat the House was evidently dealing With more that one Convicfced persen. The Premier moves an amendment to the clause quoted above restricting its oparatioa to the case of Chemis. Mr Button strongly objects to this, but on division it is carried by 27 to Id, and the whole clause is agreed bo. Tha remainder of the Bill is agreed to and it> ia reported. • DISPOSITIONS BY WILL.

Sir R. Stout moves the second reading Of the Limitation Power Disposition By Will BUI, which the Premier baa much pleasure in seconding. , _ Mr Lawry compliments Sir K. Stout for introducing the measure, and hopes its pro visions will be made retrospective; Cltttha McKenzie is the only objection to the measure, which subsequently passes without division. ÜBIMINAL CODE.

Tba eeoond reading of Sir Robert Stout's Bill to amend the Criminal Code Act. and provide for the punishment! at incest v agreed to wibhonb discussion. A BILL KILLED.

The Removal of Women's Disabilities Bill is taken Into ConinUbtee by Mr G. W. R oTclatisa fcwo. which is the only operative clause in the measure, and which is to provide that any woman may bo nominated, Lpointed, or elected to any publis office Mr Bell moves chat it be struck

°UClufch* McKenzie think. fch.». ***** ■hould nob be eligible to be elected to either House of Parliament. Tfaia brings from the Premier* speech in Wblob he supports the claim of women to bo 'elected to either House. He speakg warmly in favour of euch an innovation. UtG.W. Rusaell quests the Premiere •fc£.MM od this object bat the Premier ttlk bfm tbab whatever doubts he bad meviowly respecting woman '.; ntnes* to Kgag« io public affairs, hare all been swept "further discussion, ensue* On division the clause is struck out by 86 to 19 and the Bill is killed. The Houae adjourns shortly ftffcor midnighb. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Id tho Legislative. Council tha Minißfcar

for Education moved fcha third reading of tbe Adulteration Prevention Acb Amendment Bill, and in reply to the Hon. 3. Jankinson, eaid he would consider as to extending the dafco of the comibg into operation of the Bill, and also as to inserting an amendment) on lines proposed by bho Hon. G. Jones with regard to coffee. The third reading was carried and tho Bill passed.

In moving the second reading of ihe Now- Zealand Institute of Surveyors Bill, the Minister of Education eaid it was practically the same us was pub through all stages in the Council lasb yaar. He held ib was necessary cbab the Bill should become law, ib being a serious drawback to New Zealand surveyors bhab they are usable to practice their profession in other colonies unless they seek qualification afresh. Mow Zealand eurvoyn had been in very competent) hands, aad as a matter of fact) young men brought! up as surveyors herd readily obtained employmanb abroad some years ago. Now, however, they required certificates before they could obtain employment elsewhere, and this Bill made provisions for that. Ib also sought to place surveyors on a sure footing, and to provide that persons practising .the profession were men of skill and integrity. The Hon. J. Kelly supported the Bill, which, however, he thought would exclude many persons who wore ab present practising as surveyors, and thab he thought wae an injustice. Injustice would Also be done under ib to cadets, and be hoped bhe second reading would ba postponed for a while.

The Hon. G. Jones thought if a person criuld not geb a certificate aa provided by tho Act, ib would ,be dangerous to allow him to practise in the profession. The Hon. W. D. Sbewarb thought if a poreon had been in practise as a surveyor* far a few years, he should ba eobitied to go up ab once for examination. The second reading was carried. Tho Minister of Education moved the second reading of the Sea Fisheries Acfc Amendmenb Bill, saying it was found necessary that power should bo given bo regulate bhe fisheries on our coasts. Ib wa« toand on certain parts of the coasts thab fcha muasle beds were becoming exhausted, and thi3 measure was designed to put them under regulation for their protection, and also to get protection of sponge beds. The second reading was carried withoub debate.

Tho Minister of Education moved the second reading of the Supreme Courb Acb Araendmonb Bill, making complete the Act passed in 1893, conferring on Regiabrars of the Su promo Courb authoriby bo act in place of a Judge in certain cases. Tha second reading won agreed *o.

MANGERE BRIDGE.

Ministers promised a deputation, conaieting of Sir G. M. O'Rorke. Me»sre Lawry, M assay and Harris, who waited on them to ask that a vote bo placed on tbe Estimates for the purpose of repairs to the Mangere bridge, thab they would have an estimate made of fcha sum necessary to put the bridge in a bhorongh state of repair, and give the deputation a decided answer aa soon a* possible.

PETITIONS.

Mr Houston prosented a petition on behalf of Oeo. Schmidt and another, asking for reduction in tbo pries of their land. Mr Crowtber presented a petition on babalf of Jno. 801 lto reapact to several alleged grievances. Reporting on bho petition of Jane Good, the Public Petitions Committee recommend that the petitioner be granted compassionnto allowance of one month's pay for each year of her husband's services under tho Cloverument up to twelve years.

LOBBY EXHIBITS.

Aba meeting of the House Committee this morning it was decided not to permit show caiea of fruit being placed in the lobby of the Houso. One member ia stated to have said that the lobby was becoming- too much like a huckster's shop and a public promenade.

CONCESSIONS TO THE CLERGY.

Tho same Committee also expressed its disapproval of the action of the Library Committee in giving the privilege of entering and using the library all the year round to the Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops of Wellington, the Jewish Rabbi and one Wosleyan Minister here. The Committee intends enforoing tho rule which prohibits atrangerß passing through the lobby of the House, which ib is expected will nullify the Library Committee's aotion.

THE HON. MR CADMAN.

The resignation of the Hon. Mr Cadman on account of ill-health has been stated in eeveral journals of tbo colony as probable. On inquiry* both the Premier and Minister of Railways informed me there was not the slightest foundation tor tho statement.

GISBORNE HARBOUR BOARD.

The Gisborne Harboar Board Empowering Bill, introduced by the Hon. Mr Carroll, provides that it shall be lawful for Public Trustee to pay over to the Board £15,000 out of the Unexpended balance of of £59.166 loan money now vested in him. It authorises the Board to spend £10,000 of this sum in repairing and keeping in repair harbour works, and £5,000 in repairing and extending towards the sea the western groin of these works.

THE SECOND BALLOT.

A Bill bearing the Premier's name has been circulated proposing to introduce the " second ballob " system; Ib provides bhab ab any election for the House of Representatives no candidate shall be deemed to ba elected unless he repeivos the prescribed minimum of votes. The prescribed minimum is to be arrived at by baking the total number of electors who voted, deducting 10 per cent., and then dividing by two. The second ballob shall take place not later than aeven days after the first. Only bhosa Who voted ab the first shall be eligible to vote at the second, and the second ballob shall be taken ab the same polling places and under the same conditions as the first. THE HOROWHENUA COMMISSION.

The petition of Sir Walter Buller in connection with the reporb of the Horowhenua Commission states bhato the Commission hat arrived at conclusions unfavourable to the petitioner regarding certain land transactions with Major Kemp, amounting in effect to a suggestion of technical or construotive fraud. The petitioner alleges that the Commissioners have gone outside for their information, and have based their finding* in this respect on allegations or assumptions of fact, and not evidence. This, the petitioner submits, is contrary to the practice of all tribunals of justice, and wholly opposed to the spirit of the Commission. He, therefore, prays that the House will set up a committee, or will adopt other means of ascertaining whether tohe report of the Horowhonua Commission ia in accordance with the evidence given before the House gives effect to Us reporb.

UNDESIRABLE IMMIGRANTS,

The Premier 60-nighb gave notice of his intention to introduce the Asiatic Immigration Restriction Bill No. 2, which is almost the Hame as tho measure rejected by the CoanCU' JOTTINGS.

Mr Lawry was to-day elected Chairman of the Stock and Agricultural Committee of of tho Houee, and the Hon. Ormond was elected Chairman of the similar Committee in the Council. Printing of the proceedings Of the Intercolonial Fruitgrowers' Conference has been completed, and copies are now available. Scripture teaching in public schoola continues bo be petitioned for. The supporters of the Elective Executive Bill were loud in their e*preßßioni of jubilation when the Speaker gave hia casting vote in favour of the second reading. This was heightoaed by the knowledge that bir i

M O'Rorke has sunk bis owneontiebionß on the subject in order that the House abould have an opportunity td discuss details of tho measure.