PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 99, 20 August 1896, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. [By Telegraph.] Special to Standard. Wellington, this day. In the Council yesterday leave of absence already granted to Captain Morrison on account of ill health was extended for two weeks. The Minister of Education moved to get the Law Practitioners and the New Zealand Law Society Acts Amendment Bill reinstated on the plea that when it was defeated last week there had been some misunderstanding, as the idea prevailed that it could not be sent to the Joint Statutes Revision Committee. The Hon Mr McLean charged the Hon Mr Walker with misleading the Council, and moved as an amendment that in place of making the second reading an order for the day for tomorrow it should be fixed for three months hence. This was lost by 18 to 10, and the motion was agreed to. The second reading of Sir Robert Stout's Criminal Code Amendment Bill, which deals with incest, was moved by the Hon Mr Feldwick, and after a short debate in which the Hons. Messrs Grace and McLean adversely criticised the measure, the motion was agreed to by 21 to 7, and the measure sent on to the Statutes Revision Committee. The second reading of the Public Morgues Bill, which Major Stuart has introduced in the Lower House, was agreed to without division. The Hon Mr Holt, who had charge of the Domestic Servants' Half-Holiday Bill, said that as the statutory half-* holiday had been legislated for he, failed to see why any exception should be made in respect of the Servants' Bill. The Hon Sir G. Whitmore proposed it be read a second time that day six months. The amendment was carried by 21 to 8. The second reading of the Railways Compensation Bill, which deals with certain lands belonging to the Balclutha Borough Council, was agreed to, and the Inspection of Machinery Act Amendment Bill passed through committee with amendments of a technical character. In the House promise was given that Mr O'Regan's suggestion to hold the annual Mining Conference in Wellington would be considered by Government. The Premier informed Mr Saunders that it is the intention of the Government to pass the Alcoholic Liquor Sale Act Amendment Bill this session. Mr Lewis was informed by Mr Seddon that there was no evidence taken before the House Banking Committee that would not be safely published by any paper in the colony, and the Premier added that the Press representatives engaged on the work were faithfully reporting the proceedings of that Committee. The Government cannot see their way to disclose the names of those who invested in New Zealand Consols, as it would have an injurious effect. The Private Benefit Societies' Bill, having been under review by the Labor Bills Committee, they recommend that it be allowed to proceed with the addition of the following new clause: —" Members to have the option' of,, remaining members of the said Private Benefit Society after leaving the.seryices of such employer." The Scripture Text Books in Public Schools Bill, of which Mr E. J. Smith has charge, has been introduced and read a first time with a view to its circulation. Mr O'Regan brought before the House the fact that when -a motion to report progress was carried on the estimates at an early hour that morning, the Premier had threatened the two West Coast members who had voted with the majority that he would not forget it. The matter was treated by the House lightly, and the matter was shelved by " the previous question " being carried. Mr G. Hutchison's Photographic Bill passed its final sta,ges in the House last evening. The Municipal Corporations Act (1886) Amendment Bill, introduced by Mr Buick, was considered in Committee, amended and put through its final stages. Mr O'Regan moved the second reading of the Preferential Voting and Perputual Representation Bill. After a lengthy discussion the second reading of the Bill was killed by 19 to 12. The first of the Financial Bills indicated in the Speech from the Throne has been introduced Premier. This is the Aid to PuOTc Works and Land Settlement Bill. As private members' rights are now terminated, the supporters of the totalisator may rest assured that the existence of the machine is secure for another year.