Parliamentary Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 118, 11 September 1896, Page 2

Parliamentary Notes.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL,

[Special to Standard.]

Wellington, This day. The ex-member for Waipawa (Mr W. C. Smith) was sworn in this afternoon as a member of the Legislative Council. The Hon Mr Feldwick succeeded in restoring his Incest Bill to its original status. The Hon Mr Kelly's motion that in the opinion of the Council a portion of the Loan Bill should be devoted to the establishment and equipment of a Technical School of Agriculture and Manufacture was negatived on the voices. An onslaught on the Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Bill was made by the Hon Geo. McLean, who said that it meant two captains (captain and engineer) in one ship, and he gave an emphatic denial to the assertion by the Minister of Education that the Union Company had endorsed the provisions of the Bill. The second reading was agreed to and the Bill was referred to the Labor Bills Committee. So far as the second reading debate on the Private Benefit Societies Bill has proceeded in the Council the measure has not been favorably received. The Hon. Mr Warren shows that the workmen at the Colonial Sugar Refining Company at Auckland, who have a pension fund of their own, are averse to the Bill. The Hon. Dr. Grace dealt on the illiberality of the measure, and moved that it be read a second time that day three months. The Hon. G. McLean declared that the real secret of the trouble was the Union Company's Benefit Society, in connection with which the Seamen's Union had to keep up some show of agitation. Mr McLean mentioned that during the existence of this Society the funds had amounted to £14,623, of which the Union Company had paid some £5,000, and it had now £4,827 to its credit. This balance would have been larger but for the Wairarapa distaster, for which the fund was drawn on very largely. The debate was adjourned on the Hon. Mr Jenning's motion. Replying in the House to Mr Carnell, who wished the Government to take up his Totalisator Abolition Bill, the Colonial-Secretary said that while regretting that there was such an evil as gambling, and that it was encouraged by the use of the totalisator, Government were not prepared on the evidence now before them to accede to the Honourable gentleman's request. The Minister of Lands says that the Government want some further information before introducing Rocky Mountain sheep and goats into the colony. It is the Premier's desire to see a Betterment Bill on the Statute Book, but he cannot see his way to bring one down this session. It is understood that the appointment of Public Trustee will be made in a few days. The choice of the Cabinet will, it is reported, be either Mr McGowan, Commissioner of Taxes, or Mr Martin, Stipendiary Magistrate at Wellington. The witnesses called before the Stock Committee re the ocean carriage of frozen meat suggested that each vessel carrying large meat cargoes should have an inspector to see that the temperature was kept at such a degree as to ensure the safety of the meat on the voyage, also that an unloading shed was urgently required at the London docks to facilitate unloading in hot weather. At the evening sitting the second reading of the New Zealand Insfcityfav of surveyors Bill was, on the motion ol® the Minister of Lands, carried by 49 to Q. The Premier moved the second reading of the Usury Prevention Bill, which was agreed to after a lengthy discussion.