CHARITABLE AID BILL

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7359, 11 July 1889, Page 5

CHARITABLE AID BILL

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[FEOM OTTO SIPEdIAL "CORRESPONDENT.} WELLINGTON,, July 10. - A meeting of suburban members was held this morning to consider the Charitable Aid Bill as affecting suburban districts. Messrs Moss, Barron, Joyce, Taylor, Allan, and a' few bthera were present. Tie attendance would have been larger had not many members interested been engaged' in Committee meetings. Under the circumstances'it was decided, after a little discussion, to adjourn till Monday next. Opinions on the Bill are very much divided. Many think it. will not. survive the 3econd reading, while others hold that it only wants a ■ few - slight amendments, to become an excellent measure. I am! told, that the two. points in the Bill which create doubt and opposition are—(l) The representation Of contributing bodies, and (2) the ignorance as to the amount to, be confaribnted by the Government to the various- local bodies compared with what they now pay.' It is «aid that if the Government would agree to make up their proposed contributions to local bodies to an amount equal to that at present paid, and if the due , representation of contributing bodies were'providdfiS for, opposition to the Bill would be practically removed. 4 ' •■.-.,. .-. ■ , Mr Fish asked the premier this afterr noon whether, seeing the great dissatisfaction existing amongst local bodies with regard to the proposed Hbapitals and Charitable Aid BUi; f he would, after the debate, upon the second reading of the Bill,' postpone;its further consideration till next session,, in order to enable members of Parliament to confer personally with the local bodies in their respective districts with regard to the | same. He said much of the dissatiafao- j tion arose from partial misconception | of the ' intentions of the Government, j He thought himself that, the proposed Act was a considerable improvement on the one at present in operation. The ■ Premier said Sir Fish was probably right when he said the chief opposition to. the Bill among local bodies arose from misapprehension. This was clear from the communications the Government had received on the subject. They had no desire to rush Bills through, and. they hoped by giving reasonable time to get it passed this Bession; otherwise it would at ooune her* to stead over. - .:.:.;.