PARLIAMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LII, Issue 93, 10 September 1896, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Yesterday's Pboceedings. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. , DJiFAMATION. Q a tfnQving to go into Committee upon the Defamation Bill, the Hon. H. Feldwick said that the measure had been improved by the Statutes Revision Committee, and was now almost identical with the Tasmanian statute with in addition some English clauses. One advantage in the present Bill would be that every one would know exactly what libel was. In his opinion fines for libel were preferable to actions for damages. In • two New Zealand case?, those of Coker's Hotel at Christchurch and of Crabb v. No. Zealand Times, at Wellington, the damages awarded 9 had been only £50, while the costs had amounted to about £150. The Hon. W. D. Stewart agreed with the remark that this was a newspaper Bill, not protecting, respectable papers, but allowing second and third-class papers to go' further than at present. The Bill was then committed. While the clauses affording absolute protection to members of Parliament were under discussion, the Hon. G. M'Lwm said he absolutely objected to the license allowed to members to defame persons outside the walls of the. .House, which statements papers could publish, whether true or false. He moved to delete the clause. The Hon. C. C. Bowen said that just now the press of the colonj T did not know its own position, and it would be advantageous to itself to define where it stood. After further discussion, the clause was agreed to. < The' Bill. was amended as suggested by the Joint Statutes Revision Committee, and pro-" gress' reported. INCEST. Immediately on going into Committee upon the Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill, which deals with the crime of incest, The Hon. Dr. Grace moved to report progress, pointing out that the punishment provided for a boy above the age of 14 years who committed incest was seven years, ■while the punishment provided for a female above the age of 16 years who permitted the crime of incest was only 12 months. This motion was lost by 12 to 11. On the short title being put the Hon. T. Kelly called for a division, when the short title was struck out by 12 to 11. Progress was then reported, but by a mistake the Hon. H. Feldwick omitted to add the customary words — " and ask leave to sit again," andfound that he had given his own Bill " the happy despatch." On the Chairman resuming the chair Mr. Feldwick stated that he had made a mistake, and gave notice that he would move to ask leave for the Committee to sit again on the Bill. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. 'HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FINAL STAGES. The Abattoirs and Slaughterhouses Act Amendment Bill and the Poverty Bay Lands Deeds Registration Districts Bill were put through their final stages. NATIVE BESEBVES. The Native Reserves Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, fro forma, and referred to the Native Reserves Committee. WAGES PROTECTION BILL. Tfhe House after a short debate agreed to the recommittal of this Bill, as the Premier wished to move the reinsertion of clause 5, making gum-digging subject to the provisions of the Truck Act, which had ..been excised in Committee. Mr. R. Thompson said that the adoption of the clause would paralyse thegunirdigging industry, but the Premier replied tiiat the Government had been requested by gum-diggers to insert the clause. It was ultimately agreed to amend the original clause so as to provide that a worker shall receive such price for gum sold to his employer as shall be mutually agreed upon at the time of sale. NGATITOA TBTJStf BILL. This Bill was passed through Committee as amended by the Native Affairs Committee. EATING ACT AMENDMENT. On this Bill being further considered in Committee Mr. Heke moved the erasure of clause 2, providing procedure for recovery of ratef on native lands where the owners or occupiers exceed four. A new sub-clause moved by Mr. Buchanan, providing that costs of suit shall not be enforceable against the nominative owner, was lost on the voices, and the clause was adopted. The Hon. Mr. Carroll moved a new clause, providing that before judgment can be enforced the consent of the -Native Minister must be obtained in the first place, and "he can then give treasonable 1 opportunity to the owners to lease their land, so as to get a revenue therefrom by which they can satisfy the rates. The discussion lasted until the 5.30 adjournment. On resuming at . 7.30 the. debate was kept going. ' Mr. Bell suggested that other amendments were necessary, and asked the Minister in charge to report progress with the object of preparing ' these. Further talk was followed by several minor amendments. Eventually, after nearly five hours' discussion, Mr. Carroll's new clause was slightly amended, and carried on the voices. Several other new clauses were proposed and rejected, and fEe Bfll was ordered to be reported. JIARBIED PEBBONS SUMMABY BEPABATION. The Married Persons Summary Separation Bill passed through Committee without amendment. FINAL STAGES. The Wages Protection Bill, Ngatitoa Trust Bill, Married Persons Summary Separation Biil w and Rating Act Amendment Bill were reported, read a third time, and passed. The House rose at 2.10 a.m.