PARLIAMENTARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12567, 31 July 1901, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 1 Tuesday, July 30. AFTERNOON SITTING. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. THE NEW HEBRIDES. Tho Hon W. C. Smith gave notice to a=k to-morrow tho Minister for Education if the Government will introduce a resolution in Parliament, urging -the Imperial Parliament to take steps to prevent further French agression in the New Hebrides. THE REFERENDUM. In the adjourned debate on the Referendum Bill it was opposed by the Hons J. M Twomey, T. Kelly, C. Louisson, H. Scotland, F. Arkwright, R. H. J. Reeves, A. Lee Smith, W. T. Jennings, and J. Rio-g. and no one spoke in its support. Tlie Hon J. M. Twomey declared the Bill a slur on -ths Legislative Council, which could not be abolished, save by Act of the Imperial Parliament. The Hon C. Louisson said that SO per cent* of the people were not interested In the Referendum Bill, which merely aimed to prevent a third rejection of a Bill by the Council, and such a thing had never, in his experience, occurred. Parliament was abrogating its duties. The Council was neve? intended for a copying machine. The Hon- A. Lee Smith said -that- New Zealand’s legislative machinery, if properly guided had sufficient elasticity and strength to pass any legislation in touch with public opinion. The Hon F. Arkwright moved an amendment, that the Bill should be read that day six months. , , T On the motion of tno Hon J. K Jenkinson, the debate was adjourned till next day • The Council rose at 4;30 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 30. MORNING SITTING. The House met at 10.30 a.m. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were read a first time:-Criminal C-de Act Amendment (the Premier), Trading Stamps Abolition and Discount Stamp Issue Act Amendment (the Premier). . QUESTIONS. In reply to questions, Ministers stated that the Government wovud consider whether it could put the Paeroa-Waihi Railway in hand at the Waiht end, so a s to provide work for Waihi miners who have lost their employment; that the Government would consider the advisability of obtaining three steamers, of about 10,000 tons, to develop th© passenger trade between, 2s ew Zealand and Australia; that the question of promoting an Imperial Trade l Zollverein, was h-edwed round with difficulties, but it was hoped that the matter would be kept in view ; that it was not considered advisable to have rifle clubs in -towns alongside-Volun-teers; that the Government intended to- set up a Commission to complete the work of consolidating tho Statutes of the colony, which had been started by Mr Jolhffe, and it was hoped next session to bring down a Bid to give effect to the consolidation; that a property had been purchased in Otiro for the establishment of an Inebriates Home, and an institution would shortly be opened there, and, if necessary, a similar institution would be established m the North Island; that the regulation, under which members of the Public Service are not allowed to hold seats on public bodies was gazetted as lar back as 1873; that it was not intended to ask for an appropriate tins year for the payment of capitation a u rate of £3 10s per annum -to garrison artillery and. submarine miners, the Detence estimates were already so high thM, . there was any further increase, Parliament might curtail them; that the services ot Captain Moore, a garrison artillery officer, had been obtained, and he was just leav mg London; that the Government did- not intend to ask for a vote to compensate New Zealand troopers for the loss of their own horses in -the South African -campaign, but would favourably consider deserving cases ; that the Government was afraid that its promise to reduce the mortgage tax could . not be fulfilled,' unless another “turn of the screw ” was made in regard to the graduated land tax ; that the Government hoped ■that negotiations with the WellingtonManawatu Railway Company, under tho new proposal for taking over the 1-ne, would be successful, but the Government would not pay anything like what the company asked; that there was no intention of holding two sessions next year; the matter of the representation of the colony at the King’s Coronation would -be placed fully before the Hout/c, when -the whole question could be dealt with; that the Government considered that an amending Licensing Bill was necessary thus session to prevent an existing license being dropped and a new license applied for at another -place _ in the same district, and also to give magistrates discretionary power in regard to the endorsement of licenses. There had been an evasion of the law in regard to the former, and the Premier said he thought the House would have a Licensing Bill this session, and if members were moderate they might get something done. Replies to other questions ■ were—That the Government would introduce a -Bill to amend the law relating to distress for rent; and that the , Government had no intention of giving monetary assistance to returned troopers who desired to visit Great Britain, i The House rose at one o’clock. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House resumed at 2.30 p.m. LOCAL BILLS. The Woodville County Bill, and Invercargill Reserves Leasing Bill, passed through Committee' without material amendment, and were subsequently put .through their final stages. The Wellington Harbour Board Act, 1879, Amendment'Bill passed through Committee. Mr Haselden moved the second reading of the Patea Harbour Bill, to enable the Patea Harbour Board to borrow ten thousand pounds for harbour works. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m, adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at- 7.30 p.m. PATEA HARBOUR. After a long debate, the second reading of the Patea Harbour Bill was agreed to on the voices. DUNEDIN TRAMWAYS. Mr Millar moved the second reading of the Dunedin City and Surburban Tramways Act, 1200, Amendment Bill, which, he explained, was principally a machinery measure in connection with the Act passed last session. . The debate was interrupted by the 10.30 p.m. adjournment, and the House rose. BILLS. The* Premier gave notice to introduce the Rating on Unimproved Values Bill (No, 2) ; and Island Laws Extension Bill.