Parliament.

Clutha Leader, Volume XVII, Issue 883, 19 June 1891, Page 5

Parliament.

«» Parliament was opened on Thursday, last week, when . his Excellency the Governor delivered a speech, a summary of which we published in last issue. After some notices had been given, the Hou9e adjourned till the following day. FRIDAY, JUNE 12. In the House of Representatives — Hon. J. M'Kenzie gave notice of a new Land Bill, and the following bills were introduced : — Eiyht Hours' Bill, Agent-general Limitation of Oriice, Companies Amendment Act, Coroners' Inquest, Borough of Sydenham Endowment, (james and Lotteries Bill, Technical Elementary Instruction in Public Schools, Dentists Act 1880 Amendment, To Prevent Sale of Intoxicating Liquors to Children, New Zealand Institute of Surveyors, Juries Act Amendment, Electoral, Civil Service, Coal Mines, Promoters' and Directors' Liability, and Mining Bill. Committees were appointed as follows : — Public petitions : Messrs Earnshaw, Fish, Houston, J. Kelly, 0. H. Mills, Moore, Swan, J. W. Thomson, and Hon. W. P. Reeves. Waste lands : Messrs Richardson, Duncan, W. C. Smith, Hogg, Rhodes, Meredith, C. H. Mills, 11. Thompson, Mackintosh, and Hon. J. M'Kenz c. Stock Committee : Messrs Buchanan, C. H. Mills, Wright, M'Guire, Rhodes, Duncan, Mackintosh, Houston, Lawry, and Hon. J. M'Kenzie. Mr G. Fisher moved—" (1) That this House is of opinion that, having regard to the welfare of the people and with a [ view of relieving the heavy burden .of

taxation now imposed upon the masses, there should b t an amendment of the customs tariff's.) as to remove the duties now placed upon ten, sugar, coffee, rice, cumins, raising, dried fruits, and other similar articles <>f funeral consumjt ion; (2) tint the revenue lost, to the Sra .; by such removal of duties shall be made good by additional ' duty being p a.ced upon the following- articles: — Pui.ios, organs, musical instruments, music, silver ware, silver-plated ware, furniture, harness, carriage*, busies, carts, drays, waggons, carpets, floorcloth, artificial flowers, lacds, furs, feathers, biiks, satins, velvets, gold and silver jewellery, plated jewellery, diamonds, billiard tables, iron safes, fireivons, fireworks, and pictures." — The motion was opposed by the Premier, and after several members had spoken, the debate was adjourned. Mr M'Guire moved the Address-in-reply to the Governor's speech, which was seconded by Mr Buick. —Mr Rolleston moved that the debate might be adjourned till Tuesday. — The Premier objected.— Mr Bryce supported the adjournment, as also did Mr Macarthur.— lion: W. P. Reeves opposed. — The motion for the adjournment was lost and the Address-iu-reply carried ou the -voices. TUESDAY, JCTNE 16. In the Legislative Council — Hon. Captain Morris moved the Ad-dress-in-Reply, which was seconded by Hon Mr Phurazyn, and, after a brief debate, carried. Hon Col. Baillie was appointed chairman of committees, and the Legislative Council Reform Bill was read a first time. In the House of Representatives — Hun. Mr Balance movwd the second reading of the Electoral Bill, which provided that the one-man-one-vote principle should apply to bye elections as well as general elections, .and that no elector i should register ou more than one electoral roll. Provision was also male in the bill for purging Mi e roll, by which, after every general election, those who did not vote .should bo struck off the roll. Writs would be issued within 14 day3 after a dissolution of Parliament, aixl a public holiday was to be declared on the day of election. Wagering on elections would be a corrupt practice punishable by law. — Sir John Hall deprecated any extension of the one-inau-<>nu-vote system, and would vote against the proposal. He regretted thf bill did not provide for a female franchise or fur the representation of minorities. Another groat reform might be introduced in the bill, namely, that public-houst s should be closed on polling days. — Debate interrupted hy the 5 30 p.m. adjournment. At the evening sitting Mr Perceval was voted to the chair in committee of supply, and Hon Mr Balance delivered his Financial Statement. -At its conclusion he replied to Mr Bryue that he proposed, if possible, lo commence the financial debate ou Friday. WEDNESDAY. JUNE 17. In the Legislative Council — The Criminal Code Bill was read a first, time, and the debate <>n tin,- second reading of the Council Reform Bill was. adjourned for a day. In the House of Representatives — The following now bills were introduced:—Bill to Confer thu Electoral Franchise on Women, Book Purchasers Protection, Counties Aoc Amendment, Lunatics Act Amendment, Tmbecile Passenger Act Atnundmont, Bill for the RecoTjstitnuon of thn Ot-ago University Council, Bill to Permit City and Borough Councils to Insure Building Against Fire, Industrial Conciliation, Bankruptcy, Juries Act Amendment, Artificial Manures Adulteration, Appraisers and Auctioneers. Mr Rees moved— " That, having regard to the increasing tension between the interesis of capital and labour throughout the world, the Government be requested to open correspondence with the different Governments of all English-speaking communities, with the view to the appointment of a conference to consider the relations between capital, labour, and the Stale, such conference to meet at the forthcoming Chicago Exhibition."— The Government did not oppose the motion, which, after a short debate, was earned Mr O'Conor moved — "That a committee be appointed to inquire and report as lo the form and working of executive governments elsewhere, with a view to such modifications of the "xisting system of Government in Now Zealand as will diminish the evils of the present party system ; the committee to consist of Sir J. Hall, Captain Rusaell, the Hons. Messrs Bryce and Ward, Messrs Palmer, Newman, Buiuk, Saunders, J. W. Thomson, and the mover." — Agreed to. The debate on the Electoral Bill was resumed and adjourned at 10.30, when tho House rose. At a meeting of Opposition members on Tuesday morning, Sir John Hall presiding, Mr T. Fergus* moved that Mr Bryce be elected leader ot the party. Captain Russell seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. It was shewn that the strength of the Opposition on all questions is 24, and that five more members are with the parcy on every question except the property tax, which, by their ejection pledges, they are bound to oppose in favour of a laud and income tax. The Government does not intend to interfere with the licensing laws during the session. The question of assisting public libraries is under consideration of the Government. The evening sitting of the House on Tuesday was devoted to the debate on the Electoral Bill, which was well supported, but almost every speaker contended it should contain a clause extending the franchise to women. Among those who did so were Sir George Grey, Mr Saunders, Hon. J. Bryce (leader of the Opposition), Mr Smith, Mr Kelly, and Mr Pinkerton. It is admitted by those opposed to female franchise that it will be carried in the House by a large majority. Mr Rees is to move that the zone system of railway traffic proposed by Mr S. Vaile should be at 'once tried ; that the Auckland railways being isolated from other branches might properly be the suDJect of. the proposed trial ; and that the control of the Auckland railways should be vested in Mr S. Vaile and one irf the present commissioners for a period of two years for the purpose of carrying out the proposed trial.