PARLIAMENT.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXI, Issue 1041, 6 July 1894, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

* TUESDAY, JULY 3. In the Legislative Council — Hon. Mr Montgomery, in moving the second leading of the Crimnal Code Act Amendment Bill, explained that its provisions were to raise the age of consent to" 16 years, and a further provision making criminal proceedings nugatory unless instituted before the lapse of two months instead of one month as at present. — Motion agreed to. The Conspiracy Law Act Amendment Bill was received from the House and read a first time. Hon. Mr Montgomery moved the second reading of the Printers' and Newspapers' Registration Act Amendment Bill, which, he explained, was intended to include stereotypes, chromos, and lithographic printing ■within the terras- of " printed matter." — Agreed to, Hon. Mr Montgomery, in moving the second reading of the -Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill, said the bill absolutely prohibited auy stakes or wagers being recovered by law.—A debate ensued after which the second reading was agreed to by 17 to 8, and the bill referred to the Statutes Itevision Committee. In the House of Representatives — Replying to questions Ministers said the Government would bring in a bill this session abolishing distraint for rent. — It was very undesirable that boys under 16 should smoke cigarettes, but 'he thought the time had not yet arrived for legislation on this subject. — The Government had not at present decided whether a Fair Kent Bill would be introduced this session, but they would decide later on in the session. — The Government proposed to give permissive power in their amending Municipal Corporations Bill to enable municipal councils, county councils, road boards, and other local governing bodies to fix a fair price for the construction of their works.The following bills were read a first time : Inquest Bill, Riverton Harbour Board Empowering Bill, Employers' Private Benefit Society. Bill, Waimakariri-Isley Water Supply Board Loan Bill. Hon Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Auctioneers Act Amendment Bill, to provide for. a further definition of an auction sale, and to prevent "cheap jacks " or people of that kincll'rom doing that which auctioneers paying LSO a year were prevented from doing. — motion agreed'to. j Mr Crowther resumed the debate on the Imprisonment for debt Abolition Bill, which after a number of members had spoken was further adjourned. The Taonui Branch Railway Bill was read a second time without discussion. The Hawkers and Pedlars Bill was read a eecond time. The Arms Act Repeal Bill was committed, read a third time and passed. Hon. Mr Seddon moved, the second reading of the Companies' Accounts Audit Bill, to give power to appoint the Audit Office to audit the

accounts of companies. He instanced the case of persons who had been absolutely ruined in consequence of a bad system of audit in certain companies. — After a debate the motion was agreed to. WEDNESDAY JULY 4. In the Legislative Council — Hon. J. Macgregor obtained leave to introduce a bill intituled an Act "to Amend the Law of Divorce. The bill was read a first time. The Arms Act Repeal Bill from the House was read, a first time. Hon. W. Montgomery moyed the second reading of the Indictable Offences Summary Jurisdiction Bill, the chief provision being to enable magistrates to deal with fortune-tellers summarily, instead of sending them to trial. — The motion was agreed to. Hon. W. Montgomery, in moving the second reading of the Married Women's Property Bill, remarked that its intention was to assimilate the existing act with the Imperial law with a view of making married women possessing property responsible for any debts they may incur in their own name. — Motion agreed to. In the House of Represantatives — • Replying to questions Ministers said it was true that J, Bezav, drill instructor at Masterton, had retired from office and had drawn as compensation L 289 6s 8d for loss of office. He was employed, about two years afterwards for four months at Blenheim' as drill instructor, but was not now in the employ of the Government. — The Government was not prepared to disband country corps, as recommended by Colonel Fox, and to confine the volunteer corps in four centres. The Government woul d do their best to maintain the efficiency of the volunteer force. — Colonel Fox was not now performing the duties of commandant. Colonel Fox severed his engagement wi* fie Go\« nment on sth May last. Ministers were now considering an important communication from Colonel Fox as to his re-engagement on denned lines. — Hon. J. M'Kenzie said Mr O'Hara Smith was the same officer who had been characterised by the Colonial Secretary as incompetent, and by himself (Mr M'Kenzie) as an able and zealous officer, and he saw no reason to alter the opinion he had expressed as to Mr O'Hara Smith. Hon. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Abattoirs and Slaughterhouses Bill, which was agreed to. Mr Harris moved — " That in. the opinion of this House the sale of beer, wine, and spirituous liquors should be discontinued at Bellamys." Mr Smith (Christchurch) ' seconded the motion which after a debate was carried by 27 to 24. The following is the division list : — Ayes (27). — Messrs Buddo, Buick, Button, Carnell, Crowther, Earnshaw, Flatman, Graham, Guinness, Hall, Hall-Jones, Harris, Hogg, Houston, W. Hutchison, Joyce, J. W. Kelly, Lang, Maslin, Massey, R. M'Kenzie, M'Lachlan, M'Nab, Meredith, Montgomery, G. J. Smith, Stout. Noes (24). — Messrs Buchanan, Cadman, Carncross, Collins, Duncan, Duthie, Green, W. Kelly, Lawry, T. Mackenzie, M'Gowan, J. M'Henzie, Millar, Mills, Mitchelson Parata, Pinkerton, G. W. Russeil, W. R. Russell, E. M. Smith, Seddon, Stevens, Tanner", Thompsom.