LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11021, 19 July 1901, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

AFTERNOON SITTING. The Council met at 2.30 o'clock. SHOPS AND OFFICES BILL. The Petitions Committee reported upon the petitions from the warehousemen of Auckland and Christchurch against their being included in the Shops and Offices Bill. These petitions were both referred to the Labour Bills Committee. YOUNG PERSONS PROTECTION BILL. Mr W. C. WALKER, in moving the second reading of the Young Persons Pro. tection Bill, said it was much the same as last session's measure, hut in the present Bill the power-of issuing search warrants with respect to suspected houses was confined to the Magistrate and not shared by the Justices of the Peace. The Bill would be a great preventive of criminal tendencies if the administration were put in proper .hands.

Mr McLEAN opposed the Bill on the ground of the bad effect it would probably have on the future of the children dealt with under ifc. If passed it would probably remain inoperative like-the Inebriate Homes Bill. Another inoperative measure—the CD. Act—should be enforced. Mr SCOTLAND said the Bill was much required in Auckland. Mr SHRIMSKI defended Auckland, and considered the Bill was too drastic. Mr BOWEN spoke of parental laxity, and supported the Bill. Mr JENNINGS opposed, stating that a brand would be put on children that would never be removed.

Mr LEE SMITH thought parental op portunitv should not be limited.

Mr TWOMKY supported the Bill, stating that there were people about who would take advantage of loitering children Mr PIXKERTON opposed "the Bill Mr'W. C. WALKER stated that be understood a Magistrate's enquiries as to the children brought before him under the Bill would not be in the open court. The second reading was*carried by 20 to 6. ; ' SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BILL. The School Attendance Bill, extending the school age to fourteen years, and compelling the attendance of three and a-half days per week, was read a s-econd time on the voices. The Council rose at 3.55 p.m.