PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2254, 23 June 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[PBBsa ab&v° oiatlon tbebsbam ] LEQIBLATIv VE council. Wednesday, j. raH 22 ■ The Council met at 2.30, but adjourned a few minutes to present the Addre. B , ln It 0 P*y to the Governor, who made a formal anwo . r *. The New Zealand Medical As. "’ooiations Bill (Hon. Dr, Grace), Lotteries, Betti. ’’B Gaming House Suppression Bill (Hon, Whitaker) and the Chinese Immigrou 1 ® Bill (from the Lower House) were read a first time. On the motion of the Hon. Captain Fbaseb a return with full detailed information was ordered re the deferred payment selectors in Otago. The mover adduced cases to show the gross injustice in the working of the deferred system, which he contended had, with the Land Board system, proved a complete failure, and advocated the adoption of the American homestead system. The Hon. Mr Miller had given notice for a return of all payers and exempted sonpayors of the property tax, the different amounts paid, amount of foreign capital untaxed and totals of real and personal property taxed and exempted, but the Hon P, Whitaker said that the information was now being printed, and the motion was withdrawn. A statute revision bills committee of nine members was appointed. The Hon. N. Wilson gave notice to ask if insolent letters bad been received by the Government from Sir J. Vogel, and the Hon. Dr. Menziks to move that the Government be requested to inquire into the expediency of making all passenger steamers carry the electric light. The Hon. Q. M. Waterhouse carried a motion for a return of all females trained at the Normal Schools, showing those now teaching and in other pursuits. The mover said that the Normal Schools were a most expensive part of the educational system, wore extravagantly conducted, and that every female who became a teacher cost the country nearly £2OO for her training. The following statute revision measures were read a second time, without debate, on the Hon. P. Whitaker’s motion, and referred to a committee :—Companies Bill, Crown Suits Bill, Diseased Cattle Bill, Employment of Females and Others Bill, Friendly Societies Bill, Inspection of Machinery Bill, Parliamentary Privileges Bill, Public Domains Bill, Public Reserves Bill. The Council adjourned at 3.50. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, June 22. The House met at 2 30 p.m. NOTICE 03? MOTION. Mr Macandbew gave notice that no Licensing Bill would be satisfactory which did not leave it to each district to determine the class of license to bo issued in it and the fees to be paid. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. On the motion of Mr Swanson, two weeks’ leave of absence was granted to Mr Seddon. QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Ballanoe, The Hon. J. Hall said that he was guided by constitutional practice when, after having placed the Governor’s despatch on the table he declined, in his explanation, to accept the responsibility for the despatch of his Excellency to the Secretary of State in reference to the resignation of Mr Bryce. In support of that contention, ho quoted from Tod’s Parliamentary Government in the Colonies, citing a case in which a despatch from Governor Weld to the Secretary of State was, with the sanction of the Imperial authorities, treated os a document for which his responsible advisers were not held responsible. Replying to Mr Speight, The Hon. J. Hall said that the plans of the electoral districts proposed to be formed under the new Representation Bill were in course of being prepared, and would be supplied to members as soon as they were ready, which would oe at an early date. Replying to Mr Taiaroa, The Hon. W. Rollbston said that the Government had received the report of the Middle Island Land Purchase Commission, and it would be produced when printed. Replying to Mr Tawhaia, The Hon. W. Rollsston said the Government had taken such stops as are necessary to give facilities for vaccinating Maoris residing north of Auckland. Replying to Mr Bain, The Hon. J. Hall said that Col, Scratchley’s interim report on the state of the defence of the more important colonial ports and coaling stations had been furnished to the Imperial Defence Commissioners. A further report was promised, but Government saw that Col, Scratohley had been engaged on services for the Imperial Government, and it was very doubtful when a further report would be forthcoming. Replying to Mr Bowen, The Hon. J. Hall said that the new Representation Bill would be brought down as soon as possible. The delay had been caused by the non-receipt from Auckland of certain necessary returns, which only arrived the day before yesterday. Replying to Mr Hamlin, The Hon. Major Atkinson said that the Actuarial Report of the Government Insurance Department would be received from England about the 24th of August, and would be circulated at once. Replying to Mr Brown, The Hon. J. Hall said that it was the intention of the Government to fill up the portfolio of Public Works. NEW BILLS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time :—The Port Chalmers Drillshed (Mr Maoandrew) ; The Education Reserves Act, 1877, Amendment (Mr Bastings) ; To amend the Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough Rivers Act, 1868 (Mr Pulton) ; To Provide for the Formation of an Institute of Surveyors in the Colony of New Zealand, and for the Incorporation thereof (Mr Tole) ; The Otago University Reserves Testing (Mr Oliver) ; To amend the Timaru Mechanics’ Institute Act, 1876 (Mr Turnbull) ; the Otago Harbor Board Leasing (Mr Stewart), the civil service. Mi Andrews moved —“ That in all cases wherein any member of the Civil Service, or any member in the Government employ, shall be charged with an offence by which they may, if found guilty, become liable to fine or dismissal, when such charge shall be heard by the authorities appointed to deal with such questions the case shall be heard with open doors, so that the press of the colony may be present to report on every case it may be disposed to make public.” The Hon. J. Hall opposed the motion. He said that the service had ample protection by Act of Parliament, and it would be highly inconvenient to [the efficient conduct of the service if the course proposed by the motion were to be adopted. Mr McLean considered that the protection aSorded to members of the service was too much. He would bo in favor of sweeping away that extra protection, and leaving civil servants to be dealt with on the same footing as the servants of a private firm. Mr Macandbbw opposed, and Dr Wallis supported the motion. Mr Stewaet thought that greater facilities for proceedings in ordinary courts of law would meet the case. Sir G. Geey supported the motion. The tendency was for the civil service to fall into the hands of a very few families, consequently it was necessary that publicity should be given to investigations of this sort, otherwise very groat injuries might not improbably be inflicted. After further discussion tho House divided —Ayes 35, nocs 28. The following is the division list: — Ayes—Messrs Andrews, Ballanoe, Barron, Brown, De Lautour, J. B. Fisher (Buller), J. T. Fisher (Heathcote), Sir W. Fox, Sir Q. Grey, Messrs George, Hamlin, Harris, Hutchison, Jones, Levistam, Lundon, Maoandrew, Montgomery, Pitt, Reeves, Reid, Shanks, Shephard, Shrimeki, Speight, Swanson, Taiaroa, Tawhaia, Tewhooro, Tole, Tomoana, Turnbull, Wallis, Wood, Wright. Noes Messrs Atkinson, Bain, Bowen, Bryce, Oolbeck, Collins, Dick, Fulton, Hall, H. Hirst (Wallace), Hursthouse, Johnston, Levin, Mason, McLean, Murray, Oliver, Ormond, Rolleston, Russell, Saunders, Seymour, Stewart, Studholme, Sutton, Trimble, Wakefield, Whitaker. COASTING STBAMEBS, Mr Hutchison moved that in the opinion of this House it is desirable, for the due protection of life and property, that such an amendment be introduced into the shipping legislation as to prevent small steamers trading along the coasts of New Zealand, and carrying passengers, from leaving any port insufficiently manned. He stated instances

in which vessels of this class had gone to e* insufficiently manned. Had a storm arise or the machinery become disabled disastroi consequences would not improbably hav eneued. Ho was astonished to hear it state by the Government, in reply to a question o the subject, that the rights of owners had t bo protected, and that the colonial law on th subject was in accordance with that of Gres Britain. The English law, as regarded ses men, was a relic of barbarism, and he we sorry to find that its spirit was being importe into the law of New Zealand. _ The Hon. Major Atkinson doubted th sincerity of the mover. Their rule of actio; had always been to leave the individua members of the State free until eiperiono shown that it was necessary for thi Stau' interfere. In this case no such ne oessity .had been shown. They had been tolt that a Bteu' tnor or steamers had left this porl insufficiently' manned. Th?y had not, how over, been toJd what insufficient manning meant. He ifc {or granted that th* insurance companies would look sharply aftei matters of this kind. In talking about the rights of the owners, that was a form of speech which did not restrict itsefi to the individual owner, but included the rights of the public at large. It was the barbarians’ law they had been told. "Why did he not have the whole matter enquired into ? Why did he not call for the appointment of a Select Committee ? If he did so the Government would be prepared to afford him every assistance in the enquiry. Mr Levistam considered the question one of great importance. It was not only small steamers, but likewise the larger class of steamers that went to sea under-manned. The Hinemoa, ho understood, went to sea in that condition lately, with a body of volunteers. The Treasurer had said that no accident had ever taken place from this course. He did not know about that. Disasters had taken place, and none was left to tell them what was the real cause. He knew of his own knowledge that officers were worked for say, thirty-six hours at a stretch, and in that condition no man was able to exercise that vigilance that was necessary for safe navigation. He had heard that the Tararua disaster was to some extent attributed to this very cause. Ho trusted the motion would be adopted. Mr Shephard moved, as an amendment, that a committee be appointed to inquire into the whole subject, and to ascertain what amendment in the law was desirable. Sir G. Qbey complained of the assertion made by the Treasurer of his belief that the mover of the motion was not sincere. He (Sir G. Grey) entirely concurred in the motion, and considered the thanks of the community due to the mover. Mr Oliver concurred in the appointment of a committee, and suggested that the committee should consider the necessity for supplying all classes of passenger vessels with cork jackets and other appliances for saving life at sea. Mr MoLban also concurred in Disappointment of a committee, stating that it would tend to show that much of the imputation made against the shipowners was wholly untrue. He defended the owners of the Tararua from the imputation cast upon them by one of the previous speakers. The proposal to provide life belts, &0., was in his opinion a wise suggestion. Mr Htttohibon withdrew the motion in favor of the amendment, and the latter was carried. EETUEN. Mr Hutchison moved for a return of the number of convicts in the various gaols of the colony employed in trades and various kinds of labor, specifying the respective trades and value per week of the work done by each convict, with the rate at which such value is reckoned, either by time or result in each trade respectively. The Hon. T. Dick agreed on behalf of the the Government to the motion, which was put and carried. The House adjourned at 5 30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. DUNEDIN EXHIBITION. The Hon, T. Dice stated, in reply to Mr Bhrimski, that Dr. Hector had been appointed by the Government to report on the Dunedin Exhibition. SECOND HEADINGS. Mr Mureay moved the second reading of the Drainage Bill. In seconding the motion, Mr Bain said (hat (bis was a Bill which had received, a great deal of attention in the Southland district, and they were much disappointed that it had not passed last session. Mr DeLautoub said the Bill was incomplete. Under the Public Works Act ample powers were given to the local bodies to provide for drainage purposes, and he thought that was sufficient for all the requirements of the case. The speaker went on to point out the confusion and other irregularities in the Bill as framed.

The Hon, J. Hall pointed out that the drainage proposed by the Bill was of a different character from that provided for by the Public Works Act. The Bill had a very desirable object indeed, and one which the local bodies had no power to overtake. The Government would be prepared to give it their support. He admitted that it bad defects in framing, and with the view of remedying these he suggested that it should go before a Select Committee. Mr Stevens asked if one purpose of the Bill was that a person wanting an outfall for his drainage should call in the justices and get them to assess the value that the outfall may have conferred on the adjoining land. He called attention to that point with the view of getting the minds of members prepared for the consideration of the point in committee. Mr Bastings hoped that tho Bill would be supported, and if needs be get amended in committee. In Otago and Southland he knew of lands lying idle simply because there were no means for compelling conterminous proprietors to go in for a drainage system. Ho knew that the Public Works Act could not be made to overtake that class of drainage. Mr Montgomery pointed out that the Bill had been fully considered by a select committee last session.

Mr Murray having replied the Bill was road a second time. Mr Stevens moved the second reading of the Fire Prevention Bill. He explained that it was an |exaot transcript of the Bill of last session.

Mr Shbimski objected to the Bill, as it provided for the imposition of a tax for lire brigade purposes in places where the taxes wore already heavy enough. The Hon. T. Dick said that the Bill was one that was much needed, and the Government hoped it would pass. Mr J. T. Fisher objected to any additional rating powers being granted. Mr Andrews objected to the Bill, alleging that in Christchurch the brigade at present constituted was amply sufficient to cope with any outbreak of fire. He was convinced that his constituents did not want it. Mr Stevens having replied, the Bill was road a second time and ordered to be committed in a fortnight. LICENSING BILL. The Licensing Bill was further considered in committee. Clauses 63 to 71 were passed ; clause 72 was postponed, and clauses 78 to 81 passed. Clause 82—Applicants for renewal not required to attend unless notice of opposition given, , Sir W. Fox strongly objected, and moved that the clause be struck out. The clause was passed with an amendment by Mr Fulton, giving the chairman power to summons applicants to attend. On clause 83, Mr Moss moved an amendment to prevent the licensing committee, on its own motion, cancelling any license without giving notice to the applicant to attend. The amendment was opposed by Mr Satjndebs and negatived. The clause was passed. Clauses 84 to 88 were passed ; clause 89 was verbally amended ; clauses 90 to 92 were passed ; clause 93 was postponed ; clause 94 was amended by the substitution of two members of the licensing committee for two justices of the peace. Mr Saunders moved that clause 95 be struck out. If a tenant committed an offence he thought the landlord should suffer. It would make them more careful in selecting tenants.

Sir W. Fox supported this view. Messrs Sutton and Stewabt strongly objected to it, and supported the clause. After further discussion the clause was passed as printed. Clause 0G was postponed. Clauses 07 to 107 were passed. Clause 108—Fees for Licences. Mr DbLautouk said that houses in scattered districts in Otago paid only £lO. He thought some concession should be made to

I establishments of this kind, as they could no afford to pay £3O. He would move that £2( bo substituted for £3O. Mr B aeton moved that the committee re port progress. He objected to[any alteration as he knew that the local bodies were mainli dependent on these fees. The Hon. T. Dick said that the present feei ranged from £2O to £75. Hethought£4o a fai: average in boroughs, and now that the bottlt license was abolished he believed that ever Otago publicans, where the fee is now £BO, would not object. Mr TURNBULL thought that fees should form part of the consolidated revenue or the local Government fund and not go tc boroughs. The fees proposed were verymederate. Sir W. Fox was surprised at any objec tion to pay such moderate foes for the great privileges given. Mr Bastings protested against the attempt made to degrade the character of license holders generally. They would compare favorably with ony other class of the community, and were liberal subscribers to all public objects. It was absurd to talk of their enormous profits, and the House should not inflict excessive fees upon them. Colonel Tbimblb said that the publicans' monopoly was the result of an alliance between temperance and intemperance—between the publicans and total abstainers. Mr Letistam said that it was absurd Sir W. Fox talking of publicans making 300 per cent. Sir W. Fox—l have been told so by a publican of ten years’ experience. Mr Lbvistam—l have been told that the hon. member for Rangitiki is the best advo-

cate of the publicans’ interests in this House, but I do not believe all I am told. Mr De Lautour’s motion waa postponed to enable Mr Bastings to move that the fee within boroughs be reduced from £4O to £3O, and Mr Barron's amendment for reporting progress was net pressed. Mr Babbok advocated that the fees should be fixed on a sliding scale, according to the rating, Mr Speight thought that principle should be reversed, and |tbe better the house the less

the fee should bo made. Mr Whitaker suggested that the fee should be fixed in proportion to the population. A largely populated borough should be made to pay a higher rate than the smaller boroughs. The profits of the one were bound to be larger than the other.

Tho House divided on the question that £4O be retained—Ayes, 30 ; noos, 25. Mr Whitakee moved that after the words £4O there be added the words, “ provided such borough shall have a population of not less than 3000."

Mr Stevens argued that the population of the borough had nothing to do with it. It was tho number of public houses within the borough that mainly affected the question. Mr Moss suggested that the fee should be fixed in accordance with the business done. That plan was tried in other places, and it had been found to work perfectly well. The Hon. T. Dior objected to the amendment, stating that tho question of population was no criterion of the business likely to be

done. Then, again, nothing was taid in the amendment at to what rate was to be confined to borongha of leas than 3000. Mr Whitaeeh said that £3O would, he thought, meet the petition of hornet eituated

in the smaller boroughs. The amendment was nega'ived on the voices.

Mr DeTjAUTOXTE moved that outside boroughs the fee be £2O, instead of £3O. Major Habbib moved a further amendment that the fee be fixed at a sum not exceeding £2O.

Mr London spoke in favor of Mr De Lautour’s amendment.; He told the committee of an instance of a house belonging to himself in an outlying district, where he had to pay a tenant to keep it open. To meet such cases as these the smaller fee was necessary. Mr Hdebthoitse spoke in similar terms, urging that a discretionary power should be given to the Licensing Bench to remit the fee altogether. He would support Major Harris’ motion. Mr Murray moved that the words “ if not five miles from such borough” be inserted in the clause. Mr Mueeay’S amendment was negatived on the voices. The House divided on Major Harris’ amendment. Ayes, 25 ; noes, 26. The House divided on Mr Do Lautour’s motion, that the fee be £2O. Ayes, 24; noes 27. Mr Bowen moved that the earn be £29. The House divided. Ayes, 24 ; noes, 25. Mr Reid moved that the fee be £25. This was agreed to on the voices. Progress was reported, and the House adjourned at 12.30 a.m.