GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10707, 13 July 1900, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TIXEGBAM.)

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thtksdat, Jcly 12. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. LOCAL BILL. The Pahiatua Gasworks Bill was read a first time. YOUNG PERSONS' PROTECTION BILL. A debate took place on the motion to go into Committee on the Young Persons' Protection Bill. Mr JENNINGS read a speech delivered by Mr Theo. Cooper, of Auckland, in which statistics were given to show that New Zealand-born children were moral, and particularly law abiding. Mr BOWEN said the question was not legal criminality, but depravity. Dr. GRACE said that the introduction into the Bill of the policeman put it beyond doubt that the question of criminality was involved. Mr RIGG said the question to be considered was not whether there was an increase of juvenile immorality, but the fact that it existed. Colonel PITT said Mr Cooper's speech wiuld have been applicable to the Bill if it had contained statistics of illegitimacy. Mr McLEAN said talk of juvenile depravity in the cities of the colony was magnified. Mr TWOMEY defended the Bill. Sir GEORGE W T HITMORE admitted that the Bill was a strong measure, but thought it was. bstter to have a strong measure than one which would be ineffective. Mr SCOTLAND said each member should ask himself the question. 'jWhen I was a lad was I allowed to roam about streets between nine o'clock at night and five in the morning?" Mr PINKERTON said that since the debate on the second reading the officers of H.M.S. Royal Arthur 'had asked "Is New Zealand such" an immoral place that such a measure is necessary?" Mr W. C. WALKER said the police would have hardly anything to do with the administration of the Bill. When a policeman was called in under the Bill, it would in ■all probability be high time for his services to be availed of. In Committee on the Bill, clause 1, short title, and clause 2, interpretation, were agreed to. On clause 3, "Operation, of the Act," the permissive clause, a debate took place. The clause was struck out by 17 votes to 14, and progress reported. Mr W. C. WALKER saying he would like to look at the Bill and see what solution could be arrived at. SHORTHAND REPORTERS BILL. The Shorthand Reporters Bill was passed through Committee. The Council rose at 4.20 p.m.