POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 9471, 16 August 1894, Page 4

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, Acoust 16. The Status of the Legal Profession.

Mr George Hutchison donned the mantle of Sir George Grey last night, and moved his Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill, which was designed to abolish antiquated provisions regulating admission to the Bar. The chief clause in the Bill was one which provided that the examinations should be in the English language. The member for Patea went further than Sir George Grey by including a provision in his Bill providing that women shall be entitled to admission to practise in the law. He said it was scandalous that in these progressive times women were denied the right to legal practice.—The Treasurer complimented Mr Hutchison on having introduced such a liberal measure, and suggested that he should go a step further, and accept an amendment to the effect that any person over the age of twenty-one years of good character who may pass an examination satisfactory to two judges of the Supreme Court should be entitled to practise.—The promoter of the Bill replied that his measure provided for that, but Mr Ward said he would press his amendment in committee.— Opposition to the measure came from one of the lawyers of the House in the person of Mr W. H. Montgomery, who claimed that the effect of the Bill would be to lower the standard of the 'egal profession.—(Cries of "Oh !") Aknowledge of Latin was as necessary to a lawyer as to a doctor.—Dr Newman replied that in order to gain his medical diploma he had to undertake a tedious study of Latin, which, from start to finish, was unmitigated rubbish, and a great waste of time. It M'as not necessary all prescriptions should be written in Latin. Medicine was just as nasty aud just as good in whatever language the prescriptions were written. A high standard of general and professional knowledge was necessary, and nob a knowledge of Latin.—Mr M'Lachlan delivered a tirade against the excessive charges of lawyers, and favored this Bill, for the reason that its effect would be to bring about greater competition, and to reduce fees.—Captain Russsell urged the House to ciutiously consider whether the effect of this legislation would not be to bar New Zealand lawyers from practising in tho other colonies if they removed from New Zealand. The general principle of the Bill, however, he admitted was a right one.—Mr G. W. Russell strongly supported the measure, especially approving of the clauses reducing the entrance fees and removing disabilities from women.—Mr Bell, who claimed that he and other legal gentlemen had no selfish interests whatever in discussing this Bill, said that the measure was regarded with absolute indifference by his professional brethren. The object aimed at in this reform some ycara ago was to allow the admission to the practice of the law of persons who had failed in every other profession, and lie believed that that would be its effect. He did not believe the Bill met with the commendation of clerks and others who were aspiring to become lawyers.—Mr M'Guire pointed out that the Bill only provided for the admission of women as solicitors. He thought that they should also be allowed to become barristers.—Several other members warmly approved of the Bill as being in the direction of progress.— The mover, in replying, said that a knowledge of dead languages could not be essential to a knowledge of Knglish law and literature. They were aiming at the simplification of the law. The changes already made in New Zealand by abolishing articles had caused such offence outside this colony that New Zealand lawyers were debarred from practising outside of the colony ; but he did not think that that had proved any great misfortune. —The Bill was then read a second time, Mr Button giving an emphatic " No " against it, but not calling for a division.

Municipal Franchise Intension was urged on the House by Mr William Hutchison last evening. In moving the second reading of his Bill to effect that object he argued that it was wrong that 2,000 ratepayers only in the chief centres of the colony should elect the councillors to administer local government for 30,000 to 40,000 people. This Bill proposed to give one vote to every householder in a borough, and one vote to every ratepayer not resident in a borough, but who might have property therein. It was as absurd to argue that those who contributed to the revenue by Customs dues, but who did not pay other taxes, should not have the privilege of electing members of the House as to say that the residents of cities should have no voice in the choosing of those who were to deal with matters affecting' them. As showing how councillors elected under the present system of representation often infringed the rights of the people, he referred to the members of the Dunedin City Council gravely discussing and framing a by-law to prevent processions and preaching at street corners, a by-law which had become a dead letter and a reproach. He submitted that his measure would be found to be very conservative and necessary to prevent cliques.— Mr Crowther said that the Bill was a conglomeration which he would never have expected from an ex-mayor. The hon. member had said that tho present system had resulted in the creation of back slums in the cities, but he defied him to say that there wa3 one back slum in] Auckland, of which he (Mr Crowther) was anex-mayor. The measure was, however, quite in accord with the progress of the age. Another most important proposal of the Bill was that the mayor of a borough should be elected by persons whose names appeared on the general electoral roll. He thought that a mayor should be a person of high character, who should come to the Council unconnected with general politics. Growing warm, he said that he was ashamed of tho hon. member for Dunedin, and of his precious Bill. Mr Hutchison had said that present mayors had no "go" in them, but he (Mr Crowther) would like to see him "go" alongside the present mayor of Dunedin. The pace would bo very hot, and he would bo glad to sit down for a rest. —(Laughter.)— No other member < rose to speak, and the member for Dunedin was called on to reply, " I have nothing to reply to, sir," was his remark.—The Bill then went to a division, and its second reading was carried by 37 to 23. An Emasculated Bill.

Mr J. A. Millar's Employers' Private Benefit Society Bill, as it has returned from the Labor Bills Committee, has lost everything but its title. Quite a new Bill has been substituted. It now defines "a society" as "any society of not less than seven, established or assisted by an employer, which offers to employes benefits beyond their ordinary wage, and to the funds of which both employer and employe contribute." Within three months after the passing of the Act every such society now existing must register under the Act. The employers and every member of any society failing to register shall be liable to penalties of from 40s to £5 per diem. Only employes of the persons establishing or assisting the society and such persons as the society may admit as honorary members shall be entitled to membership*. No employer <Mm make membership of the society a condition ol employment, and he or any agent attempting to do »o shall be liable to

a penalty of from £5 to £lO. The rules are to provide surrendor value on members withdrawing. Tho Bill, further, is to bo read in conjunction with the Friendly Societies Act.

The I.ot!iil Option rolls. of the results of the local option polls taken last February shows that in thirty-two districts the polls were void ; that in twelve reduction was carried; that in twelve it was resolved that the present number of licenses continue; that in two no proposal was declared carried; that in one the abolition of all licenses was carried; that in one the poll was void as regards accommodation licenses; and in one a reduction of publicans and accommodation licenses and the abolition of bottlelicenses wascarried. The total votes polled (exclusive of the Manukau electorate, the details of which .cannot be ascertained) were : Publicans' lioenses—For continuance, 48,429; for reduction, 16,096; for no license, 48,993. Accommodation licenses—For continuance, 31,342; for reduction, 9,823 ; for no license, 35,442. Bottle licenses—For continuance, 25;802; for reduction, 8,018; for no license, 35,686. Of the 248,194 persons on the rolls of the colony, 122,234, or just less than 59.50 per cent., voted.

The Midland Railway. Tho Midland Railway Committee met yesterday for the consideration of their report. Mr Graham's motion to abide by the House's resolve of last year was negatived by 5 to 4, and it was then unanimously resolved, on Mr George Hutchison's motion, "That the Committee, being satisfied that the company cannot raise the capital necessary to complete the several railway works enumerated in the original contract, resolve that it is necessary to confine future negotiations to the railway between Springfield and JacksoDS, the Belgrove section being arranged to be completed to a point, at the junction of Norris Gully and Motueka Valley." A sub-committee was appointed to consider what modification ought to be made in the contract for the completion of the line from Springfield to Jacksons, with a view to a new contract being drawn ; the sub-committee to report within a week. The prospects of the company being able to complete the work under the altered condition of matters is not a favorable one.

Municipal Rating. Mr W. Hutchison's motion, that in order to attain a more correct system of municipal rating within boroughs the Government should amend the Rating Act so as to make it compulsory that the houses and other buildings within every borough shall be valued separately from the land on which these houses and other building arc erected, was agreed to by the House yesterday without debate.

Our Coal Measures. A discussion of some interest was raised in the House yesterday afternoon by Mr W. Hutchison's motion for a return showing the number of coal mines in the colony and their locality, together with the annual quantity of coal raised from cacli of them ; also, the terms and conditions under which the leases of these arc worked, with the names of the lessors and lessees, the number of men engaged at each mine, and the price at which coal is delivered at the pit's mouth or at the port of shipment.—Messrs G. W. Russell and E. M. Smith complained of the prices charged for coal, and urged that the coal mines should be nationalised.—Mr Crowther expressed surprise at the statements made about the high price of coal. In Auckland coal was sold far too cheap. Newcastle coal had been sold there by the ship load at 13s Gd per ton, and Waikato coal could be got at a much lower rate. The profits to retailers must be less in Auckland than in other parts of the colony. —Mr R. Thompson said if the discussion did no other good than to draw attention to the price the people of Wellington had to pay for their coal it Would not be unprofitable. These high rates were charged chiefly by the mines owned and leased by the Stale. It was a disgrace that the people of Wellington should have to pay so dearly for their coal, and if Parliament could interfere by legislative enactment it should break up the existing monopoly. The Wellington people had to pay for West Coast coal 35s per ton retail—(The Premier: "395.") —while they ought to be supplied with it at 2os.—Mr Buddo said that the cost of the coal at the ship's side at Lyttelton was 19s 6d per ton for Newcastle coal, and 25s for Westport coal. The exorbitant charges almost led to the total exclusion of the native coal.—Dr Newman denied that the price for native coal in Wellington was 39s per ton, as stated by the Premier. If a man's credit were good or he chose to pay cash for it he could get that coal at 225. The Premier asserted that the present charge was most exorbitant. The miner only got 4s for hewing the coal, and it was delivered in the staiths at Westport for lis. To whom, then, did all the profits go ? Who were the monopolists—the steamer people or the coal dealers ? He was not prepared to allow the present exorbitant rates to continue. In conclusion, he moved as an addition to the motion that the return should also show the retail prices of different coals at the various ports of the colony. —Sir li. Stout took the discussion as intended to make fun of the Treasurer's proposal to grant a bonus for the export" of coal. It showed that they needed to look after coal for themselves. He did not know of any coal companies that were paying their shareholders except the Kaitangata. Yet they had been worked by the sharpest of managers.—The motion, as amended, was agreed to. Jottings.

The Treasurer last night assured the House that the statement made in one of the local papers that the Hon. Walter Johnston had been appointed president of the Bank of New Zealand was entirely without foundation.

According to Mr M'Lachlan the lawyers' six-and-eightpence is charged for work done by boys who are paid nothing a week, and who pay a premium to earn this wage. A host of petitions for compensation for the loss of licenses were yesterday added to the number already sent in. Several of these came from the Thames.

Mr G. W. Russell: "The public are being bled at every point by this coal monopoly." Six hundred applications have been received from young ladies desirous of entering the telephone exchanges, and hundreds more have been received which have not been put on the record. Only seventy-Sve girls are employed. The Companies Accounts Audit Bill passed its final stage in the House yesterday. " Nationalise the coal'mines. This is one of the most important questions that can be dealt with by the House." So says Mr E. M. Smith.

The Christchurch Anglican Synod is petitioning through Mr Reeves for exemption fr£n taxation of all property held for religious and educational purposes. Their endowments at present pay £576 19s Cd ordinary and £307 Gs Id graduated Land Tax.

"The petitioner lias buun liberally dealt with " is the finding of tho Petitions Committee on tho petition of cx-Inspcctor Shearman, now of Tauranga, for further compensation.

Yesterday's sitting of the Legislative Council was again a short one. Bakers and short-weight bread were discussed, but no progress was made with the measure under consideration.

"I believe that we are in the van of human progress, that we are leading the world, and that is the position, we ought to occupy." Thus Mr Meredith on the Law Practitioners Bill.

The leading shipowners and payers of dues at Auckland are petitioning Parliament for a more adequate representation of the interests of shipping and commerce on the local Harbor Board.

The petition of 260 residents of Moa Flat and district for placing a sum of money on the Public Works Estimates to erect a bridge over the Clutha River at Miller Flat has been referred to the Government for consideration by tho Petitions Committee, while the petition of the Pomahaka Downs settlers for assistance towards the cost of placing a punt on the Molyneux River at Pomahaka been recommended to the Government for favorable consideration. . Mr Pinkerton and Mr W. Hutchison both have daughters in the telephone service. Mr Earnshaw, the third Dunedin represent

tative, told the House yesterday that he objocted tb members recommending their daughters for such appointments. Tho Postmaster-General replied that in only these two cases were the daughters of members in tho service, and bo did not think it fair that tho families of members Of the House .should be barred from the Civil Service.

Mr Pirani questioned the Premier yesterday afternoon as to when the Licensing Bill would be circulated. Mr Seddon replied that the Bill was now almost complete. In order that it should give general satisfaction it behoved the Government to be careful, and he would get the Bill circulated before the end of the week.