THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7403, 11 August 1885, Page 6

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday.

The House met at half-past seven p.m.

lkave of absence,

Mr. Bbetham gave notice to move that leave of absence for a week be granted to Major Atkinson on urgent private business.

SECOND READINGS,

Mr. Stout moved the second reading of the Resident Magistrate's Court Proceedings Validation Bill.

Agreed to. Mr. Stout moved the second reading of the Land Transfer Bill, whioh ho explained was a Consolidating Bill with somo new

clauses,

Agreed to.

COMPANIES ACT. On the motion for the third reading of the Companies Act, ISB2, and Foreign Companies Aot, 1884, Amendment Bill, Mr. Holmes moved, That the Bill be recommitted for the purpose of inserting a new clause providing that any co-operative association registered as a limited company is empowered to contract for insurance against loss or damage by fire the property of shareholders only of such company or association." Sir J. Vogel said he would not oppose the recommittal.

Mr. Sutter opposed the clause. Mr. Moss also hoped the Bill would be recommitted for the purpose of considering clause 9, providing that foreign companies should have a paid-up capital of £50,000. After some discussion, the motion for recommittal was carried by 56 to 15. Mr. Hurst moved that the Bill be recommitted that day six months. Sir J. Vooel said the Bill was a useful measure, and would prove of groat importance to Insurance Companies. The Bill was Only a limited company bill. Mr. Hobbs moved an amendment that clause 7, providing that local companies may be registered as companies with limited liability, be also struck out. The amendment was lost, and the Bill recommitted, and the new clause passed with some amendments.

CCSTOM3 DUTIES BILL.

The House went into committee on the Customs and Excise Duties Bill. Mr. Wakktikld moved to strike out the 6d put on Australian wine. He pointed out that there was no occasion for this extra duty for revenue purposes. Ho thought great mischief would result from it, and it would inflict a blow on our Australian oeigebours, who wore already our beat customers. Mr. Joyce considered there was no reciprocity with the Australian colonies. He mid the time was coming when a protection would be absolutely necessary. Mr. Hurst pointed out that the 6d duty would amount to a mere bagatelle, only about £S3O. He thought the House should seriously consider the step they were about to take, as the mere matter of revenue gained by the extra sixpence would be very trifling compared with the advantages to be gaine.i from our trade with Australia. He hoped the Government would reconsider the question. Sir J. Yoo.el pointed out that the Government bad raised the duty on other wines as well as Australian. He denied that the Australian people would be so irritated by the action as represented by Mr. Wakefield. It would be awkward to raise other wines and not raise Australian wines; also he considered Australian wines ware not a very wholesome beverage at any time. Mr. Wakefikld was at a loss to understand how Sir J. Vogel could contend that it was a good thing to destroy the trade with Australia. He said we had an enormous trade with New South Wales, notwithstanding this Treasurer's statement that it was not worth cultivating. No advantage whatever could be shown that would arise from this increase on Australian wine.

j.'. Mr. Hatch supported the increase of duty. Mr. Stout combatted Mr. Wakefield's statement as to the extent of our trade with New South Wales. He said the duty on Australian wine had gradually increased, and the Government were not treating the wines in a different manner from other wines.

The amendment was lost on division by 44 to 26, and the extra duty of 6d retained. Mr. Setter moved that the words "Tobacco manufactured or entered to be manufactured in the colony " be struck out of the schedule.

The amendment was lost,

Mr. McMillan moved to insert the words, " Binder twine free."

Sir J. Vogel said the question should have been raised earlier in tde session, and the Government were decidedly of opinion that it was not desirable to raise any fresh question under the Bill. The amendment was lost by 37 to 31. The schedule was then passed. IN COMMITTEE. The House went into committee on the River Boards Amendment Bill, which passed with some additional clauses. The House went into committee on the Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Bill, which passed with kome additional clauses. The House went into committee on the Westl&nd and Grey Education Board Bill. Mr. Gdinnkss moved in clause 4 to strike out the word "six," and to insert "nine" members for the Education Board of Grey and West!and. Mr. Stout opposed the amendment, which was lost by 39 to 23. Mr. GuiNNESd moved a further amendment, to strike out the words "appointing three members of the Board by the Goverii nor. The amendment was lost by 33 to 24, and the remaining clauses passed without amendment.

The House went into committee on the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill. Mr. Stout moved to insert a new clause providing for the election of district boards. Mr. Pyke complained that the supplementary order paper containing the olause had only just been circulated amongst members, Mr. Joyce suggested that the supplementary order paper should be dropped, and the Bill itself with it. Considerable discussion ensued on the clause, and several amendments were proposed on it, numerous divisions being taken, but no amendments were made.

Mr. Fisher moved to report progress. The motion was lost by 52 to 16. The new clause was carried without amendment.

Mr. Stout moved to report progress. Agreed to.

SILLS passed,

The Company's Act Amendment, the Customs and Excise Duties Bill, the River Boards Amendment Bill, the Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Bill, the Westland and Grey Education Boards Bill were reported, read a third time, and passed. The Houise rose at twenty minutes past one. -