HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 63, 3 September 1877, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wei/knoton, August 30. Barton's petition debate was adjourned, and Mr Fox moved the Local Option Bill into committee. In doing so he spoke an hour and a quarter replying to the second reading debate. Ho aooused Dp Wallis of having broken bis election pledges in oomin!? forward like the High Priest of Bacohus in defence of the publicans. Dr Wallis explained he had broken no pledges. * Mr Fox continued to defend the principle of the Bill. He denied its provisions wero nrbitnry. fie cared very little for utiitislii/s ivgardiHg drunkenness increase iag or decreasing, while the fat:t remained

that we were drinking too much. He n totally denied the existence of any claim t for compensation, and would rather lose f the Bill than admit it. Remedial, not c merely palliati-e measures were demanded v by the urgency of the evil. No regula- s tions for the conduct of houses or the . punishment to drunkards or sellers could . be efficacious. No punishment could be \ inflicted on the drunkard greater than t those following his vice. As to any understanding about the right to renewal < licenses' there could be none. Licenses were only annual, and by Sunday trading, adulteration, and other breaohes of the law, publicans had forfeited all claim to consideration. Instead of bciug too strongly spoken of they had been too lightly spoken off. He gave a sketch of the fearful state he found hotels in Hawke's Bay in. The Local Option principle was accepted seven years ago* But the claim to compensation was quite new, and he would resist it to tho last, the taking of the working mens' money to b ibe the liquor dealer to remove their biood stained hands from the people's throats. He had drafted new clauses to meet the objections regarding the boundaries of licensing districts. Mr Rees condemned Mr Fox's tele« gram to Auckland about Dr Wallis, and also the abuse heaped on the publicans. I A good cause suffered thereby. He would I support abolishing all bar traffic without compensation, and also making Licensing Commissioners elective. Mr Gisborne said if licenses were abolished on the grounds of publio policy compensation would undoubtedly be due. Dr Wallis condemned Mr Fox's internporate language, and defended himself. He said fairnass and justice necessitated compensation. Messrs Ballanoe and Joyce replied warmly to the remarks made by M.t Fox regarding their former speeches. Mr Swanson complained of Mr Fox arrogating all the credit to himself, while he and the Auckland Provincial Council had onrried a far better Bill long before Mr Fox took the subject up. He felt humilated at the manner Mr Fox talked of the publicans. He referred to many he knew in Auckland of the highest character. It was a digrace they should have the whole class dragged through the mire. Were politicals so pure as to be justified in abusing publicans? There was a want of thoroughness about the Bill, which would leave Bellamy's and Clubs alone. Compensation would be due in some but not many cases. He would willing do anything fair to reduce intemperance, but disapproved of Mr Fox's tone and method. The jiill went into committee, and progress was reported on clause 2 alter a long discussion, and 20 bi-ing altered to 50 in i clause. A variety of other amendments were proposed, Tlie House adjourned at H 30. The House met at 2.30. The Hokitika Gas Bill was read a second tine. Fourteen days leave of abaenoe was granted to Mr Kennedy. New Bills introduced i— South JJaikai Road Board (Wason) ; Sharebrokers Act Eepeal (Lusk) • Publio Deserves Sale (Bowen.). The debate was resumed on Barton's petition, and Mr Curtis moved an addition to Mr Whifcaker's motion to the effeot that the House declined to receive the petition, because its allegations were not specific or such as if passed would justify the House in removing the judges, Messrs Fox, Reynolds, and Rees, strongly the conduct of the Wellington Bar in presenting the address to the judges, and the»conduct of the judges in permitting it. Messrs Moorhouso and Travers de» fended their action in the matter. Mr Button admitted he had acted indiscreetly without considering his position as a member of the House when taking part in the demonstration. Messrs Gisborne, Gray, and Mont» gomery, while agreeing that the petition shpwed no .sufficient grounds for removing the judges, thought a dangerous pre-*' cedent would be established in refusing to receive the petition. Mr Bowen thought the motion if not altogether satisfactory even as amended was the best course the House could adopt under its present standing orders. Mr Stafford supported the motion and considered frivilous and vexatious. Tho motion as amended by Mr Curtis was agreed to on the voices. The Government promised to consider tho question ©f gi?ing compensation for long service and Bpeoial pay to certain members of the police force who had lost it when they oeased to be provincial ser« vants. Mr Pyke accordingly postponed his resolution on the subject. Mr Travers' motion " that pending legislative aotion no purchases or negotiations for the purchase of Native Lands made or entered into since the withdrawal of the Native Land Bill should be valid unless sanctioned by a measure introduced in tho House was passed. Major Atkinson stated the Government were making enquiries and intend to introduce a Bill for the purpose. The House adjourned for dinner. September 1, The whole of last nighta sitting was , occupied over the Education Bill. The

majority of speakers were in fayour of the Bill as being a good measure, but for few deta ; lß, such as Bible reading clause. Several speakers said they would support subsidising Catholics schools, provided their standard of education was equal to what ought to be expected. Nearly all were opposed to Curtis's amendment, viz., " that it be an assimilation of the system to that of Nelson. Mr Pyke moved adjournment of debate. The House rose at 11.45,