HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9159, 17 July 1895, Page 6

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, July 16. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. RAILWAY PASSES. The SPEAKER read a telegram from the Premier of South Australia to the effect that the Parliamentary railway passes ef members of the New Zealand House of Representatives would be available over all the South Australian railways. CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION. The SPEAKER read a letter from the Canterbury Industrial Association, inviting members of the House to the Industrial Exhibition at Christchurch on August 29th. QUESTIONS Replying to M_r T. McKenzie, Mr WARD said that the Government assumed, as a matter of courtesy, that the solicitors appointed for the purpose had a knowledge of the Advances to Settlers Act, but where it was proved to the Government that this was not the case, steps would be taken to remedy it. Replying to Mr Pinkerton, Mr SEDDON said that no systematic reduction in wages had been made in the case of workmen on the Otago Central Railway, except where excessive wages had been paid. The work done was not paid at a lower rate than agreed upon, and tho reason why men were not allowed to work on Saturdays was in order to find work for other men, who were in necessitous circumstances.

Replying to Mr Lawry, Mr SEDDON said that the state of tho finances would not allow the Government to subsidise country libraries, which would cost about £7000. Replying to Dr. Newman, Mr WARD said he could not give any information as to the prospect of tho speedy annexation of Samoa by New Zealand. Replying to Mr Collins, Mr SEDDON said that the Government would require a more emphatic opinion than than that lately expressed by the House before it transformed the Bank of New Zealand into a State Bank. Replying to Mr G. W. Russell, Mr J. M'KENZIE said that the qnestion of bringing down proposals for relieving tbe Bank of New Zealand Estates Company of such of its estates as are suitable for settlement would require careful consideration. Replying to Mr J. W. Kelly, Mr REEVES said that he could not now promise to take any steps in the direction of providing that a widow should not be left entirely destitute as regards the property of a deceased husband. Replying to Mr Buick, Mr REEVES said that he approved of compulsory attendance at schools, and if any amendment of the Act was made he should endeavour to provide for it. Replying to Mr Millar, Mr WARD said that he was awaiting the result of a report from the Imperial Government before amending the Sea Fisheries Act, exempting sea fish from its operations. Replying to Mr Massey, Mr WARD said that the usual course had been followed in franking telegrams from the Premier to the Liberal Associations in Auckland. Replying to Dr. Newman, Mr WARD said that all correspondence not of a confidential nature between the Treasurer and the Bank of New Zealand and the Colonial Bank of New Zealand would be laid on the table at an early date. Replying to Captain Russell, Mr REEVES said that if the Salvation Army approached the Government and made any reasonable proposals for providing temporary employment for prisoners just released from gaol he would do his beat to assist in the matter. TARANAKI BONDHOLDERS. Mr WARD said tbat he desired to state, with respect to the position of the New Plymouth Harbour bondholders and Dr. Newman's question relating thereto, that an interview had taken 'place in London between the Council of Foreign Bondholders, the Agent-General and himself respecting the position of the New Plymouth Harbour Board. The Council represented that the stock of the New Plymouth Harbour Board had depreciated owing to tbe land ' laws of the colony, and they urged the , Government to take sttps in the matter, j j One of the principal causes oi complaint was that 2,000,000 acres of land had been taken by the Government and restored to tbe Natives, which, they urged, was against the terms of the original prospectus. He informed them that the Government of the day bad nothing to do with the terms of the prospectus, and the colony could not accept any responsibility for the statements put forth. It was finally decided at a further interview tbat all the other questions should be eliminated from the discussion, except as to whether the 2,000,000 acres were in the original prospectus, and the Council requested him to agree to arbitration on that point. He distinctly refused to arbitrate, and said that he should refer the whole matter to his colleagues, which had been done.

NATIVE T3WNSHIPS. On tbe motion for the third reading of the Native Townships Bill, MrHEKE spoke ac some lengtb. The Bill was read a third tiin. and passed. FAMILY HOMES PROTECTION. The Family Homes Protection Bill was further considered in Committee. Several new clauses were proposed and negatived. The House rose at 5.30 p.m.

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. ADOPTION OF CHILDREN. The Adoption of Children Bill passed through Committee without amendment. CRIMINAL CODE. The Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill was Committed. Clause 3—Tbe age of consent raised to sixteen. Mr G. J. SMITH moved that " eighteen" be substituted for "sixteen.'" Mr SEDDOM opposed the amendment as it would endanger the passing of the Bill. The amendment was lost by 33 to 19, and " sixteen " retained. Mr SEDDON moved a new clause providing for the penalty of fourteen years' imprisonment for wilfully placing an obstruction oa any railway, or without authority interfering with the points or signals of any railway. Sir ROBERT STOUT thought this was goin.t. too far. He suggested that progress should be reported in order that the clause might be more carefully considered. He saidno judge should have power to impose fourteen year_' imprisonment for an obstruction that* might not prove dangerous. Mr SEDDUN said he should adhere to his original intention. The clause was added to the Bill by 38 to 23. Mr MILLAR moved a new clause to the effect that auy person permitting a female under twenty-oue years of age to live in a house for the purpose of earning money by prostitution shall be liable to imprisonment for not exceeding twelve months. Sir ROBERT STOUT pointed out that this was already provided for in another Act on the Statute Book. Mr Millar's clause was lost on the voices. EVIDENCE AMENDMENT BILL. The Evidence Further Amendment Bill was committed. Clause 6—All confessions to ministers priviloeed. Mr G. W. RUSSELL moved to add to the clause *' Any confession so divulged shall be privileged and not bo admitted as evidence in a civil or criminal court." Lost on the voices. Sir ROBERT STOUT strongly objected to the clause, and thought ministers should not be put on a different footing from other men in this respect. Mr MEREDITH also opposed the clause, and moved " That it be struck out." The clause was retained by 31 to 24. Clause 11, articles, &o, in newspapers privileged. Mr REEVES said he could not accept this clause. Sir ROBERT STOUT said it only affirmed what was already law. Mr J. M'KENZIE strongly opposed the clause. After a lengthy discussion, Mr THOMPSON moved " That the Chairman leave the chair." The motion was finally withdrawn.. Clause 11 was lost by 37 to 15. Sir ROBERT STOUT moved a new clause to the effect that no person to whom any confession shall be made in confidence shall divulge the same without the consent of the person making it, excepting such communication be made for a criminal purpose. Lost by 34 to 18. Mr HaLL moved a new clause making it compulsory for newspaper proprietors to disclose the name of the writer of any article or contribution, provided that such is relevant evidence in any case before a Court; in case of his refusal to do so he should be liable to two years' imprisonment or a fine of £100. Lost by 32 to 7. Mr REEVES expressed his willingness to strike out clauses 9 and 10, relating to confessions made to ministers of religion, and he should move to recommit the Bill. NATIVE TOWHSHIPS. The Native Townships Bill wa* read a third time and passed. EVIDENCE BILL. Mr REEVES moved the recommittal of tbe Evidence Further Amendment BilL Can ied by 28 to 19. On clause 9 being reached, Mr PIRANI moved to report progress on the ground that Ministers were taking an unfair advantage of members, who'had a distinct promise that no new business would be taken after 12 o'clock, and it was a quarter to one. If these two clauses were knocked out of the Bill the essence was taken from it. Mr ALLEN supported tho motion, and said a distinct breach ot faith had been committed by Ministers. If that sorb of thing were to go on no reliance whatever could be placed on Ministerial promises. Mr REEVES said the House was perfectly aware he had fought for these clauses, but he had stated tbat if the House allowed the Bill to go on he would re-commit it. He was honestly trying to keep his word in this matter. Mr G. W. RUSSELL said there was no breach of faith. After a lengthy debate, Mr Firani withdrew his motion. Mr REEVES then moved—"That progress be reported on the Bill."

Agreed to, and the House rose at 1.40 a.m.