PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 12661, 15 September 1904, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PJiESS ASSOCIATION'. legislative" council Wednesday. Tins Council met at half-past two p.m. EDUCATION ACTS COMPILATION BILL. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Education Acts Compilation Bill, a compilation of the several Acts relating to education authorised by the Statutes Compilation Act, 1902. Mr. BAILLIE thought some provision ought to be made for the aged teachers who had spent many years in the service of the State, and whose salaries were too small to enable them to make provision for their old age. Mr. BOWEN pointed out that the Bill would in no way interfere with any future legislative action in regard to educational matters. It should be passed as it stood. The ATTORNEY-GEN KRAI stated that with regard to what had been said about teachers, the matter was under consideration of the Government at the present time, and either this session or at no distant date proposals would be brought down. The difficulty was, of course, one of finance. The second reading was agreed to. SECOND READINGS. The Acts Compilation, Divorce and Matrimonial Causes, and the Marriage Acts Compilation Bills were read a second time without discussion. The Council adjourned at ten minutes to four p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday. The Mouse met at half-past two p.m. QUESTIONS ANSWERED. In reply to questions, Ministers stated: — That an alteration will be made in the incidence of the trading license for foreign companies doing business in the colony, and if time permits it will be done this session. That no amendment of the marriage law will be introduced this session. That the establishment of technical schools in various centres is proceeding as fast as circumstances wfll allow, and no well-grounded application in. the matter has been refused. That It is not advisable to introduce a Bill this session dealing with the taking of a referendum vote of the electors on a proposal for a single chamber representation. That it is not intended to reintroduce the Local Government Franchise Bill this session. That the Government is considering whether something cannot be done to lessen the hours and raise the status of lunatic asylum attendants. That the Government cannot see its way to authorise the payment of full, instead of half, compensation for the destruction of diseased beasts by order of a Government inspector. That it is not likely that any amendment of the Customs tariff will be proposed this session. That if it is found that the municipal councils have failed in their duty, and that children of tender years are employed in the streets, legislation dealing with the matter will be introduced. That it is not contemplated to have a close season next year for either native or imported game for the whole colony. That it was never contemplated or intended that superannuation allowances should be computed on anything but continuous railway service, and this was thoroughly well understood by every member of the railway service who has joined the fund. That there is no necessity for reorganisation of the Prisons Denartment. FIRST READINGS. The Elthara Borough Drainage- and Water Supply Empowering Bill (Mr. Symes), and the Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Bill (Mr. Witheford) were read a first time. MR. VAILE'S PETITION. The Railways Committee reported on the petition of Mr. Samuel Vaile for a trial of the stage system on the Government railways, referring: the matter to the Government for consideration. Mr. MASSEY moved, "That the report be referred back to the committee, as an indication that the House is in favour of Mr. Vaile's system being given a trial. Sir J. WARD, in the course of a lengthy discussion, said Mr. Vaile had been offered a trial on the Auckland railways if he gave a cash guarantee against any loss that might be incurred. The discussion was interrupted by the half-past five p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at half-pa.st seven p.m. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM BILL. Sir W. Steward's Legislative Council Reform Bill was further discussed in committee. Consideration of Mr. Hanan'a motion to amend clause 3 (numbei of members), in the direction of making the Counoil a revising chamber, consisting of 12 members, was resumed. Several members opposed the .proposal. Mr. Baume objected thai; such a Chamber as Mr. Hanan suggested would merely be a law office, and an expensive law office, costing at least £12.000 a year. Mr. Hanan's amendment was rejected on the voices, and clause 3 passed unaltered. At clause 4, in which it is proposed that the House shall be notified of any vacancies, Mr. Massey moved an amendment to provide that vacancies in the Council shall be filled up "as hereinafter provided." He urged that vacancies should be filled by a ballot of members of both Houses, and not of the House of Representatives alone. This amendment was lost, by 55 to 13, and the clause passed. Mi. Massey moved an amendment to clause 6, to provide that a person nominated must be of the age of 21 years or over, and a natural born or naturalised, subject of His Majesty. Mr. 'Flatman moved a further provision that no person shall be non <ated wao has not served in the House of Representatives for at least two Parliaments, or for one term in the Legislative Council. Mr. Lethbridge moved to provide that women may be elected to the Council. Mr. Massey's amendment was carried, and as the word "person" includes " women," the Chairman ruled that Mr. Lethbridge's amendment had also been carried. Mr. Lethbridge opposed Mr. Flatman's amendment, on the ground that it would eventually exclude women from election, as they could not po ibly have sat in either branch of the Legislature. After considerable discussion, Mi. Flatman's amendment was rejected on the voices, and the clause passed. In Clause 7 Mr. Massey moved to provide that the election of members of the Council by the House should be bv ballot. " This was negatived by the casting vote of the chairman of committees The remaining clauses passed unaltered. HARBOURS BILL. Mr. Millar's Harbours Act Amendment Bill i was put through its formal stages. MARRIAGE RESTRICTIONS REMOVAL BILL. I Sir W. Steward's Marriage Restrictions ' Removal Bill, permitting marriage with deceased wife's niece or deceased husband's nephew, was committed. '■ Considerable opposition was shown to the Bill, and after a short discussion Sir W. Steward agreed to report progress. j DESTITUTE PERSONS BILL. I Mr. Hogg's Destitute Persons Act Amend- ' ment Bill, which provides that wages may bo attached for maintenance of destitute persons, passed through committee with machinery amendments. ABSOLUTE MAJORITY VOTE BILL. Mr. McNab's Absolute Majority Vote Bill was, on Mr. McNab's own motion, discharged from the Order Paper. The House rose at tea minutes past eleven p.m.