LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8534, 14 July 1893, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(PR-S3 ASSOCIATION TBUMBAM.) TtfCBSDAY, JtiLt 13. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISTS. The New -..aland Institute of Journalists Bill Was read a first time, and the second reading fixed for Tuesday next. s£co_*o RSAWrxa. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the second reading of the Companies Branch Registration Act Amendment Bill which was agreed to. . BEPAESEKTATION ACT. The Representation Act Amendment Bill was committed. On Clause 3 (uew electoral rolls to be formed forthwith). Mr STEAVARt* moved an amendment the effect of which would be that the roll may be added to in compliance with the Registration Act, 1879. The amendment was agreed to. Clause 4 was verbally amended. Mr SHRJMSKI objected to the Schedule in which the name "Ellen" Smith appeared. He thought the Christian name ••Ellen" had crept in by mistake, even before women's franchise had been extended to women. He moved— v That ' Edward' be substituted for *EUea.'" The amendment was agreed to. The Bill as aineuded was reported, and the third reading fixed for next day. PAYMENT OP iIBiIBCRS. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the second reading of the Payment of Members Bill. In doing so, he explained that its provisions were to enable a member of Parliament, to obtain the payment of his honorarium immediately upon his return to Parliament, or, in the case of Legislative Councillors, his call, instead of waiting until he takes his seat. Mr SCOTLAND designated the Bill as a cold-blooded measure, and one which Was not warranted. He failed to see why a member, because he was elected, should be paid for work that he had not done, and could not do, until he took his seat. If the Bill were a righteous one why did not the Government make it retrospective as far as the recently appointed members of the Legislative Council were concerned. Whilst ha believed in the present Government, he felt convinced that they were not carrying out their democratic principles, and if the Bill was agreed to there would be a howl of execration raised against the Government. He opposed the Bill. SirG. WHITMORE supported the BiH. He.failed to see why the hon. gentlemen appointed to the Council should not receive payment, for their services directly tbey were called to the Council or were returned to the other House. supported the Bill, which he regarded as an equitable one. Mr STEWART also supported the Bill, on. the ground that members,, if elected during the recess, had certain public Work to perform, even although they had .not taken their seats. In equity he should support the Bill. Mr STEVENS thought if members of Parliament were to be paid for their services they should receive their salaries from the day of their election. " He objected to the proposed reductions per diem for nonattendance during the sitting of Parliament, because if payment was to be by the month no deductions should be made, or if they were made they should be computed on the ratio of there being 365 days in the year. Mr OLIVER coincided in the contention of ;Mr Stevens. If deductions were to be made they should be made on the ratio of there being 3b5 days in th« year. The COLONIAL SECRETARY replying, said the proposed deductions were made with a view to compel the punctual attendance of members. He failed to see why Mr Scotland objected to the Bill, especially as that gentleman was V. a lifer" iv the Council, and had never spent a penny in contesting an election. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed next day. The Council rose at 3.30 p.m.