PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12408, 22 October 1903, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[»? TELEGBAI'H.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ': " LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. -.■ Wednesday. . J The Council met at half-pat two p.m. | ' ■.■/■■' TONGA: ■ ! Replying to the Hon. W. Carneross, the Attomey-Gftneral isaid the Government were ascertaining whether there was any truth in the rumour that Germany was likely to annex Tonga. . i CROWN. GRANTS BILL. I The Crown Grants Act Amendment Bill ' passed its final stages. - | MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL. ! In committee on the Municipal Corporations Bill, the Attorney-Gc).' a carried an amendment that where the council of an undivided borough increases the number of members, it is unnecessary for the whole council to go out, the election of the extra members only being necessary. _ j A new clause, enabling the council to regulate advertising upon the property of the corporation, was carried on the motion of the Hon. H. Wigram. A new clause wo* added by the AttorneyGeneral imposing a penalty for trespassing upon any public cycle track. A new clause proposed by the Hon. W. Bolt, enabling a council to purchase, after a year's notice, gasworks at a price to be determined by arbitration, was negatived by j 24 to four. The Hon. A. Smith moved a new clause giving a council power to take a referendum on any matter affecting the interest of i the borough. On the suggestion of the At- ! torney-General the motion was postponed i for fuller consideration, and progress was reported. I ANIMALS' PROTECTION BILL. ! The Animals' Protection Bill was committed. Clause 4, amending section 7 of the principal Act, was si nick out, and the AttorneyGeneral moved in lieu thereof, that any person in bona-fide occupation of any land, or -a son of such person, or a person appointed by the owner, may kill game on such land without being liable to a penalty. Progress was reported at this stage. The "Council rosin at five p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday. The House met at half-past two p.m. THE LOCH LONG. Mr. Hall-Jones, in reply to Mr. Laurenson, said he would make inquiries as to the probability of the crew of the Loch Long being on the Sisters, a group of rocks near Chatham Islands, .Mid as to sending the Hinemoa in search. FIRST READING. The Gore Reserves Bill (Mr. McNab) was read a first tune. DETAILS OF AN INQUEST. Mr. Han an asked the Premier whether, in view of the unnecessarily full and revolting details published in connection with a recent inquest held in Wellington, be will take Legislative steps to protect the public from being inflicted with this nauseating j stuff, by giving judges, magistrates, and coroners, power to prohibit the publication of details which can only i>e of interest to the prurient-minded '! The reply was as follows: — Ths Premier is of opinion that power should De given to coroners, judges, and magistrates, to suppress publication of the horrifying details, similar in character to those referred to in the question. It must' be harrowing to ths feelings of those be- ; reared : it does harm to the younger generation, and no good results follow therefrom. The prurient-minded should not be gratified at the expense of good taste and morality. The views thus expressed may be unpopular; they may be keloVto be a restriction of the freedom of the press; but if all journals are placed upon an equal footing there can be no good ground for complaint. It is owing to one paper doing that which is referred to in the question that others follow in like manner. IE all were forbidden the ends of justice would be met without contaminating our public morality. QUESTIONS ANSWERED. In reply to other questions, Ministers stated — That the Government were unable to take into serious consideration the subject of importing coloured labour of any kind into New Zealand, and did net think it desirable to encourage the natives of the North of India to come here to serve as domestic servants. That it would be impossible this session to deal satisfactorily with a Teachers' Superannuation Bill. That the party of 200 Austriaus who recently arrived in the colony, were able to pass .the education test. •That the medals for the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Contingents, left England on | October 10. i That it was proposed to have a special exj hibit of pictures of New Zealand scenery sent ! by the Tourist Department to St. Louis Ex- < i position. Should the Government decide to j I have an advertising exhibit, which question j I was now under consideration, the prepara-J i tion ox a suitable illustrated booklet for dis- j j tribution was a small matter, and such a | I booklet could be readily prepared and j ! printed. i That there was no question whatever but j I that private hospitals should be under the | ; control, as to site, plans, etc., of the Go- ; vernment. ] The adjournment of the House was moved, : and two hours' discussion took place on the j replies to questions. j MIDLAND RAILWAY PETITIONS ' SETTLEMENT BILL.. Mr. Seddon moved the second reading of j ! the Midland Railway Petitions Settlement ; Act Amendment Bill, which empowers the Colonial Treasurer to create and issue in- ] scribed stock, or debentures, or other Goi vernment securities, at a rate not exceeding ! four per cent., to an amount sufficient to pay I to the receiver the sum of £150,000. The j I Act passed last session provided for a rate j of interest not exceeding 3£ per cent. ! Speaking on the Bill the Premier said a 34 ■ per cent, debenture was an unknown rate of interest, and it would have been practically unsaleable, besides which, the amount which would- be provided under the Act of last year, would not have realised £150,000. In this Midland railway matter he had done a great deal for the colony, and he thought the company should be given its £150,000 and let the matter end. Mi. Massey did not think there would be any serious objection to the Bill. He thought the matter was settled last year, but as usual, with Government legislation, there was a defect;. The rate of interest prescribed by the Act of last year would not realise £150, and he thought the defect should be remedied. Mr. Duthie said that sufficient assistance had not been given to the company to carry on the railway, and but for the action of the Premier it would have had a better chance of carrying out its arrangements. Afterwards, however, the bondholders injured the credit of the colony, and this money was practically blackmail to quieten them. The £150.000 would be entirely wasted, and would satisfy nobody. After further debate the second reading was agreed to on the voices. The House rose at halt-past five p.m. The House resumed at. half-past seven p.m. WINE ADULTERATION BILL. ' Mr. Hall-Jones moved the second reading of the Wine Adulteration Bill, which, he said, experience had shown to be necessary. Some people engaged in viticulture and wine-making carried on the business in : a proper manner, but there were some who did not. The industry was now in its infant stage, and that was the time to provide, for placing it on a proper footing. The Bill provided that the wine must not coni tain foreign injurious substances, as indicated in detail, and gave the necessary machinery for regulating the business, and for seeing that the law was enforced. ; Mi. Massey urged that as the measure I was a technical one, it should be referred to a committee, which could take evidence l on the subject. Several members protested against the waste of time involved in dealing with a Bill of this kind at this stage of" the- session. Mr. McLachlan, as a protest, moved a hostile amendment, " That the Bill be read j a second time sis months hence." Mr. Hall-Jones urged the House to proceed with the Bill, which would be for the i benefit of the colooiy. .

After further' discussion Mr. MeLachlan's amendment was carried by 36 to 27 A and the Bill was thus killed. . ,-. FISHERIES ENCOURAGEMENT BILL. Mr. Mills moved the second reading of the Fisheries Encouragement Act Amendment Bill, which extends the period during which a "bonus can be paid for canned and cured fish to August 31, 1904. He mentioned that the fishing industry possessed great possibilities, and that an English company was being formed ant* would be at work off our coast next year on a large scale.' . " .:'.' Mr. Remington moved as ah amendment,' "That the Bill be read, a second time that day six months." The House, he said, wanted to get on to solid business. Several members urged that the bonus should be continued.Mr. Ma-ssey, in supporting the Bill, said if the bonus were suddenly stopped without any notice, a number ot people would be thrown out of employment. After further discussion, Mr. Remington's j amendment was negatived on the voices, and the Bill was read a second time. ! (Left Sitting.)