PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9087, 22 June 1888, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

fßf TELEGRAPH. —PRSSS ASSOCIATION.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday. The Speaker took his seat at- half-past two P.OXIJVE STOCK. The Live Stock Committee brought up their report, and recommended that all stock arriving in the colony from Australia be subjected to the same regulations as stock imported from the United Kingdom, and also agreeing to the rules of the Live Stock Conference held in Sydney in 1886. THE CHINESE BILL. On the motion of the Attorney-General, the amendments made to the Chinese Bill by the Council, and not agreed to by the House of Representatives, were ordered to be printed and discussed to-morrow. MISCELLANEOUS. The Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Criminal Code Bill was further considered in Committee, and reported with amendment. The Council rose at 3.15 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday. Tho House met at half-past two p.m. THE LATE EMPEROR.

The Speaker read a letter he had received from the Gorman Consul in Wellington, asking him to bring under the notice of the House of Representatives the fact that a memorial service in honor of the late Emperor Frederick will be held on Sunday next, and the German residents would consider it an honour if the members of the House would attend the service. Tho Speaker remarked that he intended being present at the service himself, and no doubt other hon. members would do so.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated that it was not proposed to introduce legislation for levying a tax on guns this session, but the matter would be considered during; tho recess ; that the date of the delivery of the Public Works Statement would depend on whether or not the financial proposals of the Government were accepted by the House ; that the Government could not grant the request to put on workmen's trains at reduced rates on port lines. LAND BILL. Mr. Richardson gave notice of the introduction of the Land Amendment Act Bill. IN COMMITTEE. The House went into committee on the Invercargill Corporation Empowering Bill. Clause 7 : Power to corporation to raise special loan to pay debts of Harbour Board. Mr. Mills saic! it was understood that this clause would be amended so that a poll of ratepayers should be taken before the loan was raised. Dr. Newman moved, " That the words, 'without taking a poll of ratepayers,' bo struck out." It seemed to him a very highhanded proceeding for the House to grant this power without the ratepayers being consulted. Mr. Fkldwick said he was quite prepared to accept the decision of tne House in the matter; but he hoped the clause would be passed as it stood. After further discussion Dr. Newman's amendment was lost on the voices, a,nd the clause was agreed to. Clause 8 : Power to corporation to raise special loan to construct harbour works, not exceeding £5000. Mr. Perceval moved that this clause be struck out.

Mr. Ward defended the clause, and hoped it would be allowed to pass. The clause was eventually carried by 43 to 17. ' The remaining clauses passed without amendment, and the Bill was then read a third time and passed. SEW PLYMOUTH HOSriTAL BILL. The debate on the second reading of the New Plymouth Hospital Bill was adjourned for a month on Mr. Rhodes's motion. AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD. Mr. Peacock moved the second reading of the Auckland Harbour Improvement Bill, to lay out and construct roads over certain land to be reclaimed from the sea in the Auckland harbour. Agreed to. CLCB LICENSES. Mr. Goldie moved, that in the opinion of the House it is undesirable that licences should be granted to clubs which hold their meetings in hotels ; and, should any such exist, that steps be token to cancel them at the earliest possible moment. Mr. Smith moved, "That 'charter , be substituted for 'license.'"

Agreed to, and the motion as amended was carried.

The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30. THE DIVORCE BILL.

After some discussion the Bill was read a second time.

Mr. Samuel moved the House to go into committee on the Divorce Extension and Amendment Bill.

Mr. Fish moved to defer it to that day three months, on the ground that no private member ought to be allowed to dabble with such an important measure. Moreover, he considered some portions of the Bill very mischievous, especially making adultery alone a cause of divorce from the husband.

Mr. Blake supported the amendment. Mr. Fitzhkrbert strongly supported the Bill.

The amendment was rejected by 27 to 11. In committee, clause 2, sub-section 1, Mr. Samuel moved to add after the word respondent the words " being the husband,' and to substitute "aftercoming into operation of this Act, and within three months of presenting of petition " for "since celebration of the marriage." Mr. Fish moved to strike out the subsection altogether. Lost, by 24 to 16. He then moved to report progress, which was also lost by 23 to 16. Considerable discussion took place as to the period sought to be substituted. Mr. Samuel expressed his willingness to accept twelve months, as suggested by Mr. Peacock.

Mr. Fish opposed the sub-section at every stage, but eventually Mr. Samuel's amendment with the substitution of six monthe for three was carried.

Mr. T. Thompson moved to report pro gress. Ayes, 5 ; noes, 17. Mr. Fish then called attention to the state of the House, and no quorum being present the Speaker was sent for. By that time sufficient members had put in an appearance to form a quorum, and the com mittee resumed.

Dr. Fitchktt proposed to add the words " requiring the adultery to be of a flagrant character.

Mr. Fish continued to oppose the clause. Mr. Samuel remonstrated against the tactics followed by the opponents in attemping to talk the Bill out. Dr. Fitchett's amendment wss lost by 16 to 5. Mr. Samuel said he recognised in the face of the opposition, it was no use proceeding further that night, and moved to report progress, which was agreed to. The House rose at five minutee past one a.m.