HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Yestrday's Atternoon Sitting. NEW BILLS.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 46, 22 August 1895, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Yestrday's Atternoon Sitting. NEW BILLS.

The following Bills were read the first fame : — Native 1 and Laws Amendment (Hon Mr. Seddon); Statutes Consolidation and Printing (Hon Mr. Steward); Mortgagee (Hon. Mr. Steward) ; Margarine (Hon. Mr M'Kenzie) ; Chattels Transfer Act Amendment (Hon. Mr. Beeves) ; Domestic Servants' Half-Holiday (Mr. J. W. Kelly) ; HarbourE Aot Amendment (Mr. Carnell) ; Government Loans to Local Bodieß Aot Amendment (Hon. Mr. Ward); Ministers' Salaries and Allowances Aot Amendment (Hon. Mr. Seddon). Evening Sitting. . LOCAL GOVERNMENT Bllli. The Local Government Bill was introduced by Governor's Message, and read a first time. RIVER BOABDS ACT AMENDMENT. This Bill was put through the final stages, on the motion of Mr. Allen. INEBRIATES' INSTITUTIOXS BILL. Mr. Joyce moved the second reading of this Bill, and contended that it was the dntj of the oolony to regard habitual drnnkenneßß as disease, in consonance with modern medical teadhing and praotice. Inebriates' retreats had been established in other countries with marked success, and we too should provide curative treatment. The Minister forEdncation considered the Bill must remain a dead letter till the oolony could provide large fnnds to give it effeot. If the matter were to be tenoned it must be by the State, and not by private enterprise. If the House was sincere, let it ask that the necessary vote should be placed on the Estimates, and he would guarantee that legislation in accordance with expert viewß would be brought down. During the debate whioh followed Dr. Newman approved of the proposals; and Mr. Duthie considered they should first provide the accommodation now urgently re quired for lnnatios. Mr. Hogg thought roads and bridgeß were more necessary than Inebriate Homes. . In replying, M?. Joyce said the Immigration Barracks throughout the colony oould be utilised for the purposes of the Bill, whioh was read a second time. DIVORCE BILL. Mr. M'Nab moved the second reading of the Divorce Bill of the Hon. Mr. MacGregor, which had passed the Council. The Minister for Eduoation opposed the Bill, against which religious bodies felt strongly. He particularly objected to the desertion olanse. The Premier objected to the short period of four years' desertion, and condemned the Bill. Mr. Bell agreed with Ministers, and opposed the placing of women on the same footing as men in this patter. Captain Bussell, while agreeing with Borne of the provisions of the Bill, could not imagine why so many desired to upset the social order. It was not in the interests of women to facilitate divorce, and it was impossible to consider the question apart from the family. Under guoh a Bill woman's maternal instinots must frequently lead to the burden of the family falling upon her. After further debate, Mr. Hogg paid the Bill would have a beneficial effect on society. Sir Bobert Stout said that in 1885 his Government introduced a similar Bill, but the colony was not then prepared for it. Since 1583 divorce had been obtainable in Sootland after four years' desertion, and even for one year's wilful desertion, and it had always worked well. Lunacy and habitual drunkenness should also be grounds of divorce, but »B they could not get that, they should take what they could and vote for progressive legislation. The Bill was read a second time by 40 to 6, the Noes being the Premier, Colonial Treasurer, and Messrs. Bell, Meredith, o'B.tgan, and M'Gowan. Mr. Beeves explained that he had to vote for the Bill to save his pair, but was opposed to it. The House rose at 12.40 p.m.