PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9292, 30 August 1893, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

(by telegraph.—PßESS association. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. BILLS PASSED. The Pharmacy Bill, the Ot&eo Harbour Board Empowering Bill, and Roho Potae Investigation of Title Amendment Bill were put through their final stages.

SECOND lIKADI NO. The Wanganui Harbour Board Empowering Bill was read a second time.

THE ELECTORAL BILL.

The Council then went into committee on the Electoral Bill, tho Hon. Colonel Baillie being in the chair. In clause 2, " Commencement of Act," Mr. Kelly moved an amendment to the effect "That no woman should be capable of voting at any election for members of the House of Representatives until October Ist, 1894."

The amendment was negatived by 33 to 4, the latter being Messrs. Kelly, Mantell, Shrimski, and Swansou. In clause 3, interpretation, Mr. Walker moved an amendment, by which " Voters absent from homo on the day of election, should bo able to register their votes, instead of only giving such right to commercial travellers and seamen, as was proposed in the Bill." The amendment was lost by 19 to IS. At this stage it was agreed to report progress, as tho Chairman oi Committees was in poor health, and there was great difficulty in getting anyone else to take his place. The Council then adjourned till to-mor-row. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday. The House met at 2.30. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated thab the Government could not take any action at present in the direction of abating tho small birds nuisance ; thab the Government would do their besb to gob the Education Boards to modify the syllabus for pupil teachers' examinations ; that the Government would consider the case of Captain Kerr, of the Salvation Army, when the report of the Resident Magistrate was received.

GOVERNMENT business.

On the motion of the Premier, ib was decided that for the rest of tho session Government business take precedence on Thursdays, at 7.30 p.m.

the rabbit TEST. In reply to a remark by Mr. Rolleston* with reference to checking tho rabbit pest in South Canterbury, The Hon. J. Mclvenzie said the only way to deal with this question was to compel settlers to do their duty, and he intended to do that. THE LIQUOR BILL. The Premier moved that the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Bill be re-committed for the purpose of making amendments in certain clauses.

Mr. G. Hutchison moved that sub-sec-tions 3 and 4 of clause 15 bo re-committed for the purpose of proposing alterations in the manner of taking a licensing poll. Lost by 37 to 22. Mr. Seddon accepted another amendment, moved by Mr. G. Hutchison, providing for a second poll in the event of the determination of the electors that no publicans' licenses should be granted, and it was decided that this should be re-considered when the Bill was re-committed.

An attempt by Mr. Meredith to hava the clause giving a landlord the right of renewal for two years re-committed for the purpose of striking it out, was defeated by 20 to 21.

Captain Ru.sskfj, moved for the re-com-mittal of the club clause in order that the committee might have an opportunity of again considering whether clubs should como under the Act or not.

Lost by 38 to 17. The Premier's motion was then carried, and the House went into committee for the consideration of the clauses agreed upon. Clause 16, dealing with the reduction in the number of licenses, was amended so as to provide that in cases of certain convictions under the Act being endorsed on the license the endorsement should apply to any license afterwards issued, but that the cancelling or otherwise of a license on the third endorsement within three years should be subject to the decision of the committee. In clause 19 the provision bringing Bellamy's within the operation of the Licensing Act was struck out by 31 to 24.

The House ro s e at 5.30. Sfcie House resumed at 7.30 p.m. in committee on the Alcoholic Liquors Bill. Mr. Sandford moved that the regulation in clause 19 that club bars should be closed at eleven o'clock at night, and that clubs should be subject to the provisions of the Licensing Act in regard to endorsement of licenses for Sunday trading be struck out.

Carried by 43 to 14. Mr. Skddon moved an amendment prohibiting the sale of liquor in clubs at unauthorised hours.

Lost by 32 to 25. Several now clauses were added to the Bill, which was reported with> amendment, and the third reading set down for next day. the EATING ACT. Mr. Ward moved the second reading of the Rating Acts Amendments Bill, to declare all native land to be rateable property, and to authorise rating on the unimproved value of the land. He said he proposed, after the second reading, to refer the Bill to a special committee, and at the same time to refer that portion relating to natives to the Native Affairs Committee. The proposal to tax native land was not to be made general, and as for rating on unimproved values he knew great difference of opinion existed on that point, but he felt sure that the majority of those concerned would be in favour of the proposal. The Bill also allowed local bodies to make their own assessment. Mr. Ward then explained the various clauses of the Bill in detail.

Mr. Buchanan regretted the Government proposed in this bill to pub the burdens of valuations on local bodies, which he regarded a3 a wrong principle altogether. Mr. Richardson said there was no reason for the proposal to rate the unimproved value of native land, and the Bill was uncalled for and absolutely unworkable. Mr. Fish objected to this practice of the Government bringing down experimental legislation and getting it doctored up in committee, and he thought the House would do well to resist this practice. He agreed that the Bill was nob wanted at all. Sir J. Hall thought if the Government abandoned triennial assessment there was some necessity for a Bill of this kind, but the drafting of the present measure seemed to him exceedingly unsatisfactory. Mr. Kapa said the natives viewed this Bill with great apprehension, and as he did nob see his way to make any improvement in it he should oppose it altogether. Mr. Taipua referred to the unpopularity of the present Government with the natives, and at some length spoke against the Bill. He hoped if the House, did rate native lands it would do so as fairly as possible, and pub the natives on an equality with the Europeans. Air. E. M. Smith regarded the Bill as a step in the right direction. Mr. Parata thought the Bill might well have been left over until after the general elections.

Mr. T. Mackenzie considered the Bill unnecessary. Mr. McGovvan complimented the Government on the introduction of the measure, and said even if ib did nob pass this session much good would be done by discussing the question. Mr. McGuire thought it was time a Bill of this nature was passed by the House. Mr. R. Thompson said the whole Bill, so far as he could see, was nob worth wasting five minutes upon, and, as far as native lands was concerned, it was a mockery. Messrs. Wilson, Newman, Palmkr, Moore, Lakh, Dothih, McLean, and Wrioht, also spoke, and the jMiniater having replied, the seccond reading was carried on division by 30 to 9. The House rose at 1.45 a.m.