PARLIAMENT

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4284, 20 July 1899, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Wednesday, July 19. Only formal business was done.

HOUSE OF REPBESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, July 19.

Mr Duthie presented a petition in lavor of Bible reading in sohools. Mr Flatinan gave notice that he would ask the'Promier if he was aware of the amount of overtime|worked by bank clerks and clerks in mercantile offices, and if he would introduoe legislation to prevent the same.

THH FINANCIAL STATBMBNT.

Eeplying to Mr Bolleston, the Premier Baid he was working 18 hoars a day, and at present was not in a position to state exactly when the Statement would be tabled. When the Cabinet had decided upon the finances, estimates, which were now complete, would be brought down.

SLT &BO& FINES. In reply to Mr J. W. Thomson as to sly grog fines, the Premier said it was always understood that it was inadvisable for the Government to interfere with the administration of justice. Anyone aggrieved at a decision of the Court |bad a legal remedy. He bad every confidence in the independence and /integrity of the magistrate giving the judgment in question.

QtJBBTIONa AND ANSWERS.

In reply to questions, the Ministers Baid they believed the Act had been abased by tome looal bodies in giving permission to people to ereot swing gates on roads and efforts would be made to restrict this abuse. That similar privileges would be granted to members of the Permanent Artillery as are now given to] police officer! in the matter of the accumulating of annual holidays for two or three years; that the Government had had no indication in what direction legislation should take to extend the powers of sohool com* inittees, and suggested that the matter should be referred to the Education Conference now sitting; that the Government thought that the agricultural and pastoral industries were already fairly represented in the Legislative Council.

IN FAVOR OF DBBTOBS. The Premier gave notice to introduce the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill.

THE NBW WOMAN.

Mr Taylor moved the second reading of the Removal of Woman's Disabilities Bill, designed to enable women to tnke seats in the House.

The House divided without discussion —Ayes, 26 ;* noes, 18. The Bill was ordered to be committed on 16th August.

LIQUOR ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

Mr Taylor moved the second reading of the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act Amendment (No 2), aiming at a colonial poll being taken. The Bill was intended to enable electors to say whether liquor should be imported, manufactured, or sold in the colony. As far as voting was concerned, he contended|[that the bare majority was the most logical position to take up. Mr Fisher opposed the Bill on the ground that he objected to the colony being again thrown into a state of turmoil over the question, and looking at the face that we have now efficient police supervision, and that the law was better administered.

Mr Gilfedder held that colonial option and the bare majority was the only logical stand that could be taken.. Mr B. McKenzie spoke in favour of the bare majority. Mr Monk contended that the bare majority would ezoite antagonism oq the part of the moderate people that would ultimately defeat the object arrived at.

Mr Carncross would support the second reading on the ground that if he supported colonial option it would only be on condition that local option be abolished. He approved of the Gothenburg system as a means of doing away with any ohjectionable features of the present law. He did not think it was possible to carry out prohibition. Mr Eolleston did not believe in the bare majarit j and thought that a threefifths majority would give a stability to the settlement of the, question that a bare majority would not do. No doubt ffhere had been great reform in the , control of the liquor traffic, a result due in a great measure to the efforts of Mr Taylor in connection with the police enquiry. He regretted that the liquor question had been made one of politios, but would be glad to see a committee of both Houses set up to inquire into the best means of dealing with it, not on the basis of prohibition but in the interests of all concerned.

Mr Sy_ ies was opposed to local option. It was not the Prohibitionists who were going to carry prohibition, but the moderate men who were thoroughly disgusted with the way in which the present law wa» carried out. . Mr Eawlins was sorry to see^ the question brought up in the House year after year to the detriment of more important matters. He gave his experience of a visit to the Clutha district, where he found that liquor was sold freely, and that prohibition as carried out there was an utter ehani.

Mr Mills was opposed to prohibition. Mr Carson said with regard to the principle of the Bill he would support the people deciding the question, but advocated a three-fifths majority. Mr Lawry objected strongly to the bare majority provision. If carried, the value of a large amount of property would be jeopardised and placed at the mercy of a majority of one. Efe asked why did not prohibitionists point to New Zealand as the most temperate country in the world. He objected to any one diotating to another what he should eat or drink or wherewithal be clothed. He attacked prohibition members for the methods adopted in endeavoring to secure convictions under the Act.

The debate was continued and adjourned. The House rose at 12.25.

It is understood that the Government will, in a few daya, propoae to set up a Select Committee to inquire into and report on the question of adjusting the tariff. Of course, it is not intended that any legislation bearing on the _ subject will be initiated this session, but it is not at all improbable that the next Parliament may have to deal with the question. Mr O'Regan, who voted against the second reading oi the Land for Settle raents Aot Amendment Bill, has given notice that when the Bill is in Committee he will move the addition of new clauses providing that all lands disposed of shall be subjeot to re-valuation every seven years, and that a sinking fund of 1 per cent per annum Bhall be set aside for the repayment of all loans under the principal Act and amending Act. Steepleohase Day of the Wellington Racing Olub's Winter Meeting happened to coincide with Arbor Day this year, and (says the special of the Wanganui Herald) a glimmer of hopa illumined the breasts of sportive members of the House that between the two the shutters might be put up for the afternoon. Mr Guinness accordingly asked the Premier whether the House might not meet at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, "in order to afford members an opportunity to engage in the useful work of tree-planting.'* The Premier, with mock gravity, replied that he certainly desired to enoourage tree-planting,' but knowing the arduouß task it was and the strain which their Parliamentary duties involved on them, he must ask bon. members to confine themselves to their legislative work. The laughter which ensued was renewed when Captain Russell rose to a personal explanation, and disclaimed having any intention of " planting trees "on Arbor Day. In spite of all this, there was many a vaoant ohair.