AFTERNOON SITTING.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8928, 19 October 1894, Page 5

AFTERNOON SITTING.

The House resumed ab 2.30. CO-N—_l VEHICLE LICBNSES. Mr McLACHLAN moved — " That clause 8 be amended, so as to provide that .the Police Offences Act Amendment Act, 1890, shall not apply within a district of a County Counoil, or other local authority having power to make by-laws for regulating the conditions on which traction engines shall be allowed to pass along roads or over bridges.'* Agreed to. . Mr BUDDO moved a new clause to the effect that in any county where the average rateable value of the land exceeds £2 an acre, this-Act, with the exception of clause 8, shall not apply, * Mr SEDDON moved to insert after the word --land" the words "held in fee simple." Agreed to, and the new clause carried. Mr SEDDON moved**-*' That notwithstanding the average .rateable value of the i land held in fee simple exceeds £2 an aore, I it shall be competent for the local authority to make by-law. for vehicles other than 1 traotion engines, on a petition of a majority 1 of the ratepayers." Agree-to,. The Bill was reported, read a third time and passed; QUESTIONS. Replying to Sir Robert Stout, Mr REEVES said he was waiting for ; the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown, and also for the concurrence of the Cabinet, j before he took any steps to appoint Che Council for' the . Middle District of New Zealand University College. I Replying to Mr Duthie's question whether the Minister for Defence in dealing with old soldiers' claims will, rectify injustice to Volunteers who were on active service from , 1860 to 1870, but who through the d„bandment of- their corps were unable to complete five years' service,. Mr J. M'KENZIE said the whole question'must stand over till next session. . Replying— Mr Wilson's question whether, 'if the Licensing Bill is not passed., the GoI vernmant will bring in a short Bill of one I clause prohibiting the transfer of a license from one township to another, i Mr SEDDON said it was rather early for 1 the- hon. gentleman to assume that the i Licensing Bill Would not pass this session, bnt he would say that it was agaftst tbe I spirit of the law'that Licensing Committees ''should consent to the transfer of a license , in this way. Replying to Mr G. W. Russell, j_r SEDDON said the Government in- ' tended to have an. examination of the railway plant, permanent way and bridges made prior to taking over the lines from the Commissioners. , Aa to appointing a competent inspector for each ialand that was a matter of detail which the Government -wonld have to consider later on. , Replying told e.Q. W-Russell's question whether the Government will early next session lay before the House proposals for the revision of the Customs tariff in the .interests 'of local industries, and will the necessary information be obtained, Mr WARD said every effort wonld be made by the the Government to enable the necessary information to be compiled for this purpose. Replying to Mr Q. Hutchison's question whether the Premier expects to lay before , the Honse before the end of the session, the return ordered more than three months ago on the ttayelling allowances and expenses drawn by Ministers during the last financial year,. Mr SEDDON said he shonld make enquiries into the matter. Replying to Mc G. W. Russell's question whether the Government proposed to make any appointments to the Legislative Counoil .dqring the recess, and, if. so, how many, Mr SEDDON said he had no difficulty in replying to the question. AU would depend on circumstances, and.whether those circumstances would warrant the Government in making further call* to Replying U> W. Kelly's question, why in the of the village settlers of Seaward Bosh the vote of £200 granted for the last three years has been stopped this Session, notwithstanding a large increase in r the vote for roads throughout the colony generally, Mr J. M'KENZIE said the vote had been given for three years, and it was not considered desirable to put it on the Estimates this year, - Replying to Mr Collins' question—Will the Government, in case the Undesirable Immigrants Bill should not be reached this session, bring in a short. Bill raising the poll tax on Chinese or other Asiatics to at least £59. Mr WARD said, in view of so many Rills being struok off tbe Order Paper thab day,

it wi*> m 'h--U' t*iav t„e Government could i.. 0 ' in a „iti of this character* this session. Replying to Mr Joyce's question, Will - the Government, during the recess, take into consideration the advisability of providing a civil division of tho New Zealand Cross to be awarded for acts of bravery iv saving life from fire, shipwreok, drowning, —c, .. . . . Mr SLDDON said he should look into the matter -during tbe recess, and see what be done. Replying tofdlr G. W. Russell's question, Would the power of veto possessed by the President of the Bank of New Zealand be sUffibient to prevent an amalgamation pf that Bank with the Colonial Bank during the recess, and without the consent of Parliament ; and is any change contemplated in tbe Banking arrangements of the colony, by which the Colonial Bank will receive any share of the public acconut, or. participate in any beneficial interest in the colony's business. * Mr WARD said the Bill to be introduced by the Government would pot the matter respecting the President's power beyond all donbt. As to the second part of the question, there was no change contemplated and no representation on the subject had been made to the Government for some time past. Replying to Mr G. W. Russell's question, whether the Minister of Lands, during the recess, will consider the desirability of formulating a scheme, to lay before the next session of Parliament, by which those estates belonging to the Assets Company whioh are suitable for settlement' may- be taken over by the Crown under the Land for Settlements Act, Mr J. M'K.EN—lßaaid this question would require careful consideration. If the Company offered land for sale and it were found suitable for settlement, such offer would b« fully considered.' Replying to Dr. Newman, Mr SEDDON said he did not bolieve lithe closure for debates, but he would be wilting to adopt something to put an end to obstruction to business in the House. Replying to Mr Duthie, Mr WARD said the Government would not interfere with the administration of the Bank of New Zealand business. NATIVE LAND COURt BILL. Mr SEDDON moved—" That the amend* meftts made by the Legislative Counoil in the Native Land Court Bill be disagreed with, and that Sir Robert Stout, Mr Houston and the mover be appointed managers to draw up the reasons." Agreed to. GORE TRAFFIC BRIDOE. Mr MoNAB moved the adjournment of the House to protest against a grievance he referred to in connection with the Gore traffic bridge. A lengthy discussion was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.