PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 25 May 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Per Press Association

Wellington, May 23. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The Speaker took his seat at 2.30. CRIMINAL CODE. Mr Buckley introduced the Indictable Offences Act Ropcal Bill, 1888, and moved the second reading of the Criminal Godo Bill.—Agreed to. ‘ .1 BILLS PASSED. The following bills passed all stages : Penalties Recovery and Remission Bill; Justice of the Peace Act Amendment Bill; Demise of Crown Bill: Westland and Grey Education Boards Bill. The Council rose at 3.40 p.m. till Friday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.50 p.m. LEAVE OK A33KNCK. Leave of absence for a month was granted to Mr Valeiititie on private business. AD JOT. RSAIEN C. Sir H. Atkinson moved that the House at its rising udjor-n tiff Friday next.— Agreed to. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was Bt" 1 " 1 that Government would see if half-ye. payments from settlers in special settlements might be made to local postmasters instead of being remitted to Wellington ; that Government could not agree to issue privileged railway tickets to employees whose salaries do not exceed £l4O per annum; that it was practicable in me colonies to issue railway pusses of a durable character to members, and the cost of new passes was £220 ; that no instructions had been issued for the redistribution of boundaries under the Representation Act Amendment Act, 1887, but if necessary, instructions would be given ; if necessary, stops would be taken to inflict a. penalty on persons who, under thti designation of “Faith Healers,” ex-

tracted fees from weak minded and ignorant invalids; that a bill repealing the Greymouth Harbor Act would be brought in this session, and Government could give no explanation as to the removal of the'late members of the Grey Harbor Board till the bill was brought in ; that Government had been compelled to refrse collect telegrams from members in consequence of the great abuse of the privilege. Ministers would receive such telegrams, but would reserve the right to return them if they considered they did not relate to public matters; it was not considered advisable to make any change in the banking arrangement of the Colony at present, and it would bo very unwise to keep the publio account with associated banks in New Zealand; thatinstructions would be issued , to charge for wheat on railways by actual j weight. A lengthy discussion took place on the whole question of railway charges for carrying wheat, etc. The adjournment of the Houso having been moved, Mr Ward objected to the Hon. Mr Miteholson’s statement that 2401bs should be the limit allowed for wheat on railways.—Several other members took the same view, and urged that farmers of the country should receive more consideration in the matter of railway charges. Hon. Mr Mitchelson said he should take care wheat was charged for by weight before next season, and farmers would be notified of the change. „ „ _ Replying to Mr O’Callaghan, Mr Fergus said there was no truth whatever in the report that war in Europe is imminent, and neither the Governor or any member of the Ministry had received any int'mation of war. Tne House rose at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. EIGHT IIOUB3 BILL. Mr Hutchison moved the second reading of tho Employment of Females and Others Act Amendment Bill, restricting hours of female labour to not more than eight hours.— Agreed to after a brief debate.

CALIFORNIAN THISTLE. Mr Mackenzie (Clutba) moved tho second reading of the Californian Thistle Eradication Bill. He explained the habits and manner of this noxious plant, which was extremely vigorous and tenacious, and could only bo destroyed by continuous hoeing. The bill provides various penalties for not effectually cutting down the thistle Ho mentioned that in Tasmania and other places the spread of the weed had almost destroyed the value of. the land. It was very prolific, spread rapidly, and cattle would not eat it.

Several members took exception to various portions of the bill, and some considered it would do little good, eradication being quite as hopeless as in the case of the Scotch thistle. Messrs Duncan, Anderson and Bruce supported the bill heartily. Mr Stewart said very few had ever heard of this new nuisance or knew anything of it. The hill was premature, and the House shonld be carefnl to see an oppressive statute was Hot passed. The second reading was carried tu the voioes. LIMITATION OF VOTES. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Limitation of Votes Bill. Mr Hislop having remarked that any support he might give must be taken without prejudice to the Electoral Bill, the motion was agreed to.

DIVORCE BILL. Mr Samuel moved the second reading of the Divorce Extension and Amendment Bill. Its principal provision extended the grounds of divorce to adultery by either party, attempt to murder, desertion for seven years continuously, and sentence to penal servitude for seven years. Mr Samuel urged that the time had now coine when the law of divorce needed reform, and he deprecated the objections which he thought were likely to be brought forward. He was prepared to accept amendments in Committee in the direction of preventing the bill being made retrospective, and limiting tiie time within which petitions must be presented. Messrs Allen and Peacock would support the second reading, but reserved the right to oppose certain clauses in Committee.

Dr Fitchett and Dr Hodgtinson opposed tho Bill, urging that some of the clauses opened tbo way to a collusion, and that there were reasons why the sexes should not bo put on a footing of equality. Mr Reeves (St Albans) thought the scanty attendance showed how little the importance of tho Bill was appreciated. Mr Samuels had made out a case deserving of consideration both by the House and country, and he thought it would bo better to give the latter a chance of expressing its views on tho subject before it was passed. The measure affected womon very materially, ■ and he was not aware that they had ever been consulted in any way. There were several grave objections to it, which he pointed out. Mr Hislop did not agree that tho scanty attendance argued want of interest. Most people would probably make up their minds on this subject from, their everyday experience. Ho traversed the objection brought forward at considerable length, but suggested that the clause relative to attempted murdor should be toned down, and some minor amendment introduced.

Mr PercLval strongly opposed the Bill. It was a step in the direction of making marriage a civil contract, determinable at -will. There was no demand in the country for it. Messrs Hutchison, Taylor and Blake Spoke briefly against the Bill. ' Mr Taiwhanga supported tho Bill, because he was a sufferer under the existing law. He would like to see habitual drunkenness included among the grounds for divorce. Mr Samuel, in reply, said there had been no attempt among the opponents of the Bill at exhaustive criticism. He ventured to say that it was far more important than many of the political measures to which so much attention Mas accorded. Wherever you went you would read instances of suffering under the present law. Numbers of lives had been made wretched by its operation. This was the fifth session ho had brought his Bill forward, and since its first introduction he had read close on a thousand letters, etc., urging him to push it through. The Honso divided on tho motion, which was carried by 37 to 21. '*> The Educational Franchise Bill was considered in committee. Clause 2 was amended so as to define householders ns jevery lessee, owner or tenant of a house yrithin the school district and person wJ:.o £as charge of children. Clause 4 was amended by striking out publication of nominations to school committees in the newspapers. Mr Marchant moved to strike out the clause abolishing cumulative voting. —Lost by 25 to M>. The Bill was reported with amendments, and tho Houso rose at 1.35 a.m. till Friday.