ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 147, 25 June 1881, Page 3

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

? The proceedings in tho Legislative Council yosterday afternoon were brief and unimportant. In reply to Mr. Dignan, the Attorney-General said that tho Government could not act on the report of Colonel Scratchley in reference to the defence of the Auckland harbor, as the report was only an interim one. Colonel Scratchley would visit the •various harbors again, report finally, and then Government would deal with the whole subject. In answer to Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Whitaker said the Cemeteries Bill prepared last session would be again brought forward if there appeared any chanco of carrying it. There were many more pressing bills, however, which would have to take procodenco. Mr. Buckley moved for a return of all who, at over 20 years old, have entered the Civil Service since October 8, 18G6, with dates, patt and present salaries, &c, and of all those specially appointed by tho Governor." Mr. Waterhouso expressed his pleasure that Mr. Buckley was moving in this matter, adding that the Civil Service Act of 1860 had been systematically ignored by every Government until it had beoomo practically a dead letter. The Council adjourned at 2 50 p.m. If Thursday's sitting of the " Commons" was dull, yesterday's meeting was positively , dreary. After tho Government had informed Dr. Wallis that they would " consider " whether they would amend the Qualification of Electors Act this session, and had told Mr. Jon* s that they did not intend to bring in the Native Land Sales Bill droppod last session, Mr. Johnston introduced the Regulation of Elections and Corrupt Practices Bills, and Mr. Dick introduced the Masterton and Greytown Lands Management Act Amendment Bill, the second reading of all which were fixed for Tnesday next. The Post Office Bill having been read a second time, the House went into committee to resume consideration of the Licensing Bil at clause 109— relating to the allocation of fees. These fees.it was proposed by the bill should vest in the local bodies— a provision which, seeing theadmitted poverty of local bodies, it migtt be thought no one would object to. Mr. Turnbull, however, did, for he proposed that the fees should go to the Colonial Treasury, and aotually Jivided the House on it, but out of the 59 membeis present, only four, in addition to the mover, were induced to go into the lobby in favonr of the amendment. The succeeding clauses np to 125 (inclusive) were rapidly run through committee without amendment. At 126— limiting the hours of employment of females in hotels to ten in the 24, and fixing the latest honr of employment of females at 11 p.m. — Sir William Fox took up the cudgels in favor of '• snffering female humanity." He went in for the eight-hour system, and gained his point ; and then he succeeded in fixing the latest hour at whioh a woman can bo employed in a bar, with or without her consent, at 10 o'clock p.m. In clause 129, which contained a penalty of £10 for refusing to provide accommodation in the way of lodging and meals, Sir W. Fox tried to insert an amendment compelling publicans to provide tea and coffee at all hours. Ho failed. In clause 134, providing that liquor should be sold for money only. Sir W. Fox moved that no cheque should be taken by the publican, except it were drawn by the person supplied with liquor. He failed in this again ; but Mr. J. B. Fisher was more successful. He wanted to prevent possible " lambing down," and moved an amendment providing that no publican should take any money in advanco for liquor, or it might be recoverable by law. This was agreed to. The next 20 clauses were galloped through in refreshing style, but the committee jibbed at clause 154, which dealt with the days and hours cf closing licensed premises. Captain Russell moved that clubs bo opened on Sundays, but after considerable debato he withdrew his amendment on consideration that the Bill be recommitted, and the whole question of clubs fought out on a broader basic. Mr. Bastings made an attempt to get the bill shelved by moving that the chairman do leave the chair, but he did not succeed. The Premier was anxious to see the bill go through committee Tho Government had devoted much attention to the measure, and the country looked for it with considerable anxiety. The rest of the clauses were passed unaltered, and progress was reported at 1 a.m., whon the House rose. Some of the most debateablo clauses— those referring to the electoral element— which were postponed early in tho week, have yet to be considered.