PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10627, 16 December 1897, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

(BY TELEGRAPH- — ASSOCIATION.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Wednesday. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. FINAL STAGES. The Government Emergenoy Loans to Local Bodies Bill passed its final stages. ✓ VICTORIA COLLEGE SILLThe Minister of Education moved the second reading of the Victoria College Bill. Messrs. Bo wen and MacGregor pointed out various defects in the Bill. Mr. T. Kelly spoke in support of the measure. The second reading was agreed to. The Council resumed ab 7-30 p.m. BILLS PASSED. The Water Supply Act Amendment Bill, the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act Amendment Bill, and the Westport Harbour Board Loan Bill passed their final stages. alien IMMIGRATION. The second reading of the Alien Immigration Restriction Bill was moved by the Minister of Education. Mr. Bowkn vainly asked the Minister to lay on the table the despatch from the Home Secretary of State to the New Zealand Government with reference to the Asiatic Restriction Bill. The second reading was agreed to. second READINGS. The Leases and Sales of Settled States Act Amendment) Bill and the Lyttelton Harbour Board Loan Bill were read a second time. The Council adjourned at 9.40 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday. EIGHT HOURS BILL. After the telegraph office closed, consideration of the Eight Hours Bill was resumed. At clause 4 progress was reported. FINAL STAGES. The Joseph Houston Land Grant Bill, Land and Income Assessment Acts Amendment Bill, Young Persons Protection Bill, and Harbours Act Amendment Bill passed their final stages, and the House adjourned at 2.5 a.m. The House met at 2.30 p.m. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Mr. Sligo was granted a week's leave of absence on account of illness. SUSPENDED ORDERS. Mr. SEDDONmoved, "That Bills which have not been finally dealt with by the House shall be made Suspended Orders, and set down on the first Order Paper of next session." He would not, he said, have introduced the motion if a new Parliament were to be elected before next session, but as it was the same Parliament he saw no objection to the motion being carried. Mr. Rolleston contended that the proposal was absolutely opposed to all Parliamentary precedent. Mr. Scobie Mackenzie characterised the motion as a monstrous one. Captain Russell opposed the motion, and said that as regards many measures the House never intended to proceed further than the second reading stage. After a lengthy discussion Mr. Seddon in reply stated that the motion, if carried, would mean that three weeks would be saved next session. The motion wag carried by 35 to 23. REPLIES to QUESTIONS. Ministers, in reply to questions, stated Sbat the reports of the Emerson and Henerson police enquiries had been received and were ab present in the hands of the Governor, and that there would be no objection to the reports in question being laid on the table of the House; that the question of issuing free railway passes to volunteers travelling to shooting matches would be considered by the commander; that legislation would be necessary before an additional bonus could be offered for an improved flax-dressing machine. The House resumed at 7-30.

SECOND READINGS. The second readings of the Cheviob Estate Disposition Acb Amendment Bill and the Cyanide Process Gold Extraction Bill were agreed to without discussion, CHEVIOT BILL. The Cheviot Estate Disposition Act Amendment Bill was committed. Air. Smith moved to report progress. After two hours' discussion this was negatived by 42 to 14, and the Bill passed with amendments. THIS CYANIDE BILL. The Cyanide Process Gold Extraction Bill was committed and passed with the amendments made by the Goldfields and Mines Committee. MINING COMPANIES BILL, The Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill was committed and passed with slight amendments. THE BANK BILL. The Bank of New Zealand and Banking Act Amendment Bill woe committed. Mr. Pirani moved that progress be reported. This was negatived by 27 to 24. Clause 2 ; Board of Directors re-consti- ! tuted, Mr. Moore moved that the clause be struck out. Mr. Seddon said if there was . no change in the constitution of the Board there was do necessity for the Bill. The motion was negatived on the voices. Mr, Larnach moved to substitute five directors for nine. Nine was struck out by 34 to 22. Mr. Seddok moved to insert seven. This was negatived by 29 to 28. Captain Russell moved that four be in* serted. This was negatived by 30 to 28. Mr. Larnach then moved that progress be reported. This was negatived by 37 to 21. Mr. Seddon moved to insert six on the understanding thab ultimately the number would be seven. This was carried by 38 to 18. Mr. Pirani moved that two of the direc« tors shall be appointed by the Governor-in-Council. Ayes 28, noes 28. The motio.n was negatived on the voto of the Chairman of Committees.