LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8598, 27 September 1893, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(press association telegram.) Tuesday, September 26. AFTERNOON SITTING. The legislative Council met at 2,30 p.m. LAND ACT AMENDMENT. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the second reading of the Land Act Amendment Bill. Mr STEVENS remarked that section 63, which did away with deposits on applying for sections of land, was a dangerous one although, no doubt, it might it passed cause less trouble to the Land Department tbaa experienced at present. There was one other matter in the Bill, which was that indictable offeuces under the Act may not be prosecuted after one year from the time of committal. The COLONIAL SECRETARY sai-i that the provision referred to had not escaped the attention of the Government, and would be provided for when the Bill came up in Committee. The second reading waa agreed to, and the Bill was referred to the Waste Lands I Committee. TAIRUA LAND BILL. The Tairua Land Bill was read a second time and after discussion referred to tho Waste Lands Committee. SHOPS AND SHOP ASSISTANTS BILL. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the second reading of the Shops and Shop Assistants Bill. Sir G. WHITMORE moved that the Bill be read a second time that day three months. Mr BIGG expressed the hope that the amendment would not be agreed to. The reason tbe present Act had not/ acted well was because the compulsory clause had been rejected by the Legislature last year. Mr SHRIMSKT supported the amendment. Mr BOLT expressed the hope that the motion would not go by default. Twenty years ago Judge Chapman in Dunedin agitated in favour of the system. The large employers of labour and most of the shopkeepers in Dunedin were in favour of the Bill, and he failed to see why tho small shopkeepers should altogether bo consulted. He personally would like to see a poll of the people taken upon the subject. Mr PHARAZYN hoped the Council would, as they always had done, take the part of the weak as against the strong, and reject the Bill. He should vote in favour of the amendment. Mr McCULLOUGH supported the motion for the second reading. Further discussion having taken place, the Council divided, the amendment being agreed to by 25 to 11. The following is the division list :—• Ayes (25). Messrs Reynolds Messrs Whyte Stewart Dignan L. Walker Acland Richardson . Oliver Sir G. Whitmore Ormond Messrs Bonar Bowen Barnicoat Johnston Swaneon Dr. Grace Shrimski Messrs Hart Pharazyn Holmes Williams Peacock Stevens Mantell Taiaroa Noes (11). Messrs Kellv Messrs Jenkinson McCullough W, C.Walker Kerr McGregor Bolt Montgomery ,Rigg Sir P. Buckley Jeuainga RAILWAYS ACT. The Railways Act Amendment Bill was committed. Mr STEWART moved an amendment on clause 2, its effect being to continue the ! services of the Commissioners for twelve i months after the expiration of the present term of five years. The clause was lost by 20 to 14. ; The following is the division list:— I For the amendment (20)— Messrs Reynolds Messrs Acland Stewart Oliver Sir G. Whitmore Ormond Messrs Bonar Bowen Barnicoat Johnston Shrimski Dr. Grace Pharazyn Messrs Hart i Williams Holmes Stevena Peacock Whyte Mantell Against the amendment (14)— Messrs Richardson Messrs Jenkineon Kelly W.C. Walker McCullough FeMwick Swanson Dignan Kerr McGregor Rigg Montgomery Jennings Sir P. Buckley The COLO2HAL SECRETARY said he should prefer to consult hie colleagues before he proceeded further in Committee. He moved that progress be reported, . The question went to a division, the motion being lost by 18 to 15. Clause 2—To retain the services of the Commissioners for another year. This was agreed to by 21 to 15. The clause as amended was agreed to. The COLONIAL SECRETARY said he believed it was the first time within the records of the Council that any Government had been treated as his Government had been. He had merely asked the Committee for leave to report progress, with leave to ait again, hie object being to confer with his colleagues. He did nob like to commit himself to say anything more. Mr BOWEN failed to see why the Colo nial Secretary should have displayed such temper. There was nothing unusual in what the Council had done. The object ol tbe Council was to prevent the Bill being reported in the position it then was. The COLONIAL SEORBTABY asked it

he might after that move that progress be reported. His friends on tho other aide might not always have such a strong phalanx as was now opposed lo tho Govern* ment. Progress was reported with leave fco flit again. INDUSTRIAL BILL. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill was re-committed. Mr STEWART, ou the short title elauae, moved to strike out tho words " and arbitration. This was agreed to by 18 to 15. Mr MONTGOMERY moved that progrew bo reported to cnuble the Government to frame tho necessary amendments. Mr RIGG was speaking when the Committee adjourned for dinuer.