PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 28 May 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

EVENING SITTING,

Per Press Association

Wellington, May 25 Tho House resumed at 7.30. .SLAUGHTER HOUSE ACT AMENDMENT.

Mr Buchanan supported the Bill and rallied Mr Filzherbort on what ho termed tho misrepresentation of that gentleman’s district. Messrs Levestam, Walker, Hutchison, and Tanner also spoke. Mr Turnbull said the debate reminded him of Nero fiddling while Rome was burning. Tho whole country was anxiously awaiting tlio Financial Statement, and hero they were frittering away the time discussing tho Codlin Moth and Slaughter House Bills. This was practically a private bill and it,, was quite unworthy of Government to tako it up as a Government measure. Messrs Beetham, Duncan and o‘Callaghan having made a few remarks, Mr Ilislop replied stating that Government had not fathered the Bill in any way as alleged. It did not throw an unfair tax upon anyone but really equalised the expense. Bill read second time on the voicos. Dr Fitchtet moved to refer it to the Stock Committee.

Lost by IS to 55. FAIR RENT BILL.

The Colonial Secretary moved th second reading of the Fair Bill, It had been before the House for some sessions, and Government had promised Sir G. Grey to take it up, as it had now become a matter of some urgoney. He went through some clauses explaining their bearing at some length. Briefly, the purpose of the measure was to enable fair rents to be fixed for Crown lands or lands vested in and under the control of certain public authorities, and also for adjusting the price to be paid for land on deferred payments. On one or two points Government were prepared to receive amendments, notably as to the constitution of a court by whom rents were to he fixed. Sir G. Grey said the Bill ought to have become law years ago. He thought it should be expanded so as to includo all tenants and not only those of Government. Mr Carroll asked that the second reading might be postponed as tho Bill affected natives who had not had an opportunity of considering it yet. Mr Fish thought the Bill would he imperfect unless it included tenants of certain ecclesiastical bodies who held large estates in the South Island. Generally he hailed the measure with satisfaction. 1

Mr Stewart said a great deal of mischief and logrolling would bo possible under the bill. He saw no reason why it should not include private as well as public tenancies, and should oppose it unless so altered or confined solely to deferred payment settlers. Ho looked wi'h much distrust on the measure. Mr Hislop agreed to the debate being adjourned till Tuesday next. SECOND HEADINGS. The Penalties Recovery and Remission, Justices of the Peace Act Amendment, and Demise of the Crown Bills were read a second time without debate. WESTLAND AND GREYJIOUTH EDUCATION BOARDS BILL. Hon. Mr Fisher moved the second reading of the Westland and Greymonth Education Boards Bill. It merely prolonged the existing state of affairs.

system of electing three me nbors each year retained, instead of one as proposed.

Dr Newman and Mr Guinnes3 wore surprised that in these days of retrench* merit the two boards were not amalga* mated to save expense. Mr Fulton reminded members that it was the endless quarrels of former years that had brought about tlio present ex» ceptioual state of affairs. Hon. Mr Fisher said his own opinion was all education boards ought to be abolished, but the present was hardly the time to discuss the question. In fact these two offices, particularly the Grey Board, had so mismanaged their affairs as to make it necessary for the Government to step in. The motion was carried on the voices. CODLIN MOTII BILL.

On tho motion to go iuto committee on the Codlin Moth Bill, Mr Mnrchant moved to defer it for a week on the ground that scaly blight should be included in the operation of the bill. He read an extract from Maskell’s book, showing the danger arising from this pest. Messrs Moat and Reeves supported the bill.

Mr Dodson said his experience was that scaly blight was more devastating than the codlin moth.

Mr Taylor said that the codlin moth and blight were largely induced by the planting of trees in unsuitable soil. Mr Kerr said tho scaly blight was vory easily dealt with through the medium of sulphur and lime, but added that people should be compelled to use it generally.

Mr Fulton said the scale was found in hawthron hedges as well as in fruit trees, and he did not think it should be included in the bill. The Hon Mr Fisher said that if tho bill were postponed for a week it would probably never be passed, as other important measures would then demand precedence. Orchardists throughout the Colony took great interest in the question, which was one of much importance. Ho suggested that tho bill should bo passed through the House, and any important additions added in tho Legislative Council.

After a few remarks from Messrs Seddon, Tanner and O’Callaghan, the House went into committee on the bill.

In the interpretation clause the age at which trees are to bo liablo to tax was made four instead of two years. Several other amendments were mado, among them being the striking out of the provision that the minimum penalty should bo L2.

A new clause, providing a penalty of not less than Ll, or exceeding L 5, for selling or exposing infected fruit for sale, was proposed by the Minister, and was adopted after being amended, so that the maximum was fixed at LlO aud tho minimum loft out.

The bill was reported as amended, and the House rose at 12.55.