PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 92, 12 August 1896, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL

[By Telegraph.j

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Wellington, This day

The Constitution Act Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House yesterday afternoon, provides for the extinguishment of the present life appointments to the Legislative Council by gradual retirement of the holders, five to retire annually, who however, are to be eligible for reappointment. Women are made eligible for appointments to seats in the Council. II contains a provision that what the Bill has been twice passed by one House and rejected by the other the two Houses are to be summoned to the number of forty to sit as a convention, and a bare majority in the combined Chambers is to decide the question. The machinery for carrying out the referendum is also provided. Evidently the measure is only introduced for electioneering purposes, and there is no probability of its being passed this session. The Legislative Council met yesterday for business for the first time since the No-confidence debate commenced.

The second reading of the Wesleyan Methodist' Church Property Trust Act Amendment Bill was agreed to. A motion by the Hon Mr Bolt for a return to show the expenditure on the Otago Central Railway to date was carried, together with an amendment asking for the average cost per mile, which the Hon. Mr Jenkinson, its mover, said he had reason to believe was enormous.

The Pharmacy Bill passed through Committee in the Council with a few technical amendments made by the Joint Statutes Revision Committee. A new sub-clause was added providing that the Act shall not apply to homoeopathic, patent, or proprietary medicines or chemicals as are usually sold by grocers or storekeepers. The following second readings were assented to by the Council: —Westport Harbor Board Loan Bill and the Caversham Waterworks Bill. In connection with the Divorce Act Amendment Bill which Mr Collins had pasted through the Lower House a curious point was raised. The measure merely places sexes on an equality as to adultery, and the Hon. Mr McLean pointed out that the Council had already this session rejected a similar Bill introduced by the Hon Mr Bolt. He asked the Speaker's ruling on the subject, and the Speaker replied that he would give an opinion later on, upon which the debate was adjourned. In the absence of the Speaker through indisposion Mr Guinness presided over the House yesterday afternoon.

The Premier says that in face of what occurred north of Auckland during the last recess the Government cannot without- mature consideration agree to Mr McGowan's request that the Arms Act be repealed so that Maoris may have the right to purchase amis.

The Premier told Dr Newman that when the Government Licensing Bill was before the House the question of absolutely preventing hotel licenses from being shifted from place to place can be taken into consideration.

The fine of £SOO imposed upon the President of the Bank of New Zealand for contempt is held by the Treasury at present, but the Premier says it is for the House to decide to what purpose the money shall ultimately be devoted.

It is the Postmaster-General's opinion that the whole question of classification in the Postal Department requires looking into, and he thinks that the Minister or a responsible Board should make the classification.

The Minister of Labor says that too much sweating of bank clerks and those employed in the offices goes on, and he hopes that in the Amending Shop Hours Bill, to be brought down shortly, provision will be made to meet the case of these over-worked classes.

The Tobacco Excise Duties Bill provides that the duty on tobacco manufactured in the colony after December 31 next shall be : On tobacco, Is 6d the pound ; on cigars and snuff, Is 6d; on -cigarettes, if made by machinery, 3s 6d; if made by hand, Is.

Under the Tobacco Act Amendment Bill, which Mr Seddon is introducing, it is provided that only licensed persons shall be allowed to sell tobacco, the annual licensee fee being £1 per annum.

Mr Martin, S.M.. having declined to fill the position of Public Trustee, the friends of Mr Duncan, the Deputy Trustee, are pressing his claim. The Petitions Committee of the Council recommend Judge Kettle's petition for greater stability of tenure to District Judges to the favorable consideantion of the Government. While the estimates were under review last night Sir Robert Stout urged that the salaries for many of the Magistrates were much too low.

The Defence Minister promises that the Volunteer report of Colonel Fox shall be laid on the table of the House on Tuesday next. Policemen in the country districts have been instructed to assist the school committees in enforcing the provisions of the School Amendment Act, but they are not to be allowed to act as truant officers.

Very slow progress was made with the Estimates, and when the House rose this morning the Legislative vote, which is the first department taken, was not completed. Though some members betray a feverish excitement to get back in view of the election, I do not see how the session can close till October is broken into.