PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2641, 16 October 1895, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNOIL. Tuesday, October 15, The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. SHIPPING AND SEAMEN’S BILL. The Labour Bills Committee recommended that this 'Bill should be' allowed to proceed, and that the Government should take soma steps to facilitate the entry of colonial boys into the colonial mercantile marine. AMENDMENTS IN BILLS. . The House transmitted amendments made by the Governor in the Fencing Bill and the Industrial Conciliation Bill, which the House had agreed to. The amendments : were agreed to hy the Council in the first Bill, on the motion of the Colonial Secretary, and the amendments in the latter Bill wore ordered to- be considered next day. ' A conference was appointed with reference to the amendments made by the Council in the Dunedin Loans'Conversion Bill. THE LIQUOR BILL. Upon the motion for the, third reading of the Liquor Bill, The Colonial Sucre taut said that hie remarks on the second reading ot the Bill had been misreported in the Wellington morning newspaper. What ho said on the occasion referred to was that although ho had no groat feeling one way or the other with regard to the Bill, still ho intended to carry the Bill through as introduced in the Council. Neither his colleague nor himself, he complained, were reported in the Wellington morning paper on ; < any questions so fplly as were other hon members ot the Council. The Lyttelton Times of the 12th October had a leading article on the Liquor Bill. In this' article he had been .accused of endeavouring to throw every obstacle in the way of passing the Liquor Bill. He denied that he had over. thrown any obstacle in the passage of the Bill.

The Hons Messrs Kelly aud Boriar fully endorsed the statement of the Colonial Secretary that he had done his best to-foasa th o Bill. ' ' r The Hon Sir G. 8. Whitmore that nothing any paper could say with respect to the Colonial Secretary Could lower him in the estimation of the Council. The Hon Dr Grace said the Colonial Secretary had done his best to retain not only the three-fifths majority clause, but also all the other provisions of the BUI as they came to the Council. # The Hon J. Kerr boro testimony to the sincerity ot the Secretary in his endeavours to pass the Bill through the Council as it came from the House. , The motion for the third reading was intori copied by motions for the reoommital of the Bill. The Hon J. Eioo moved the following new clause, which was agreed to by 16 to 13 j—- “ No poll shall bo valid in any district unless at least one-half f o£ the ' total number of electors on the roll of the district shall have recorded their vfites.” - ' Several amendments were made in tha clause relating to Bellamy’s, on the motion ot the Hon E. C. J. Stkvknb, and the Bill was reported, and leave given to sit again. SEA FISHERIES BILL.' The Sea Fisheries Act Amendment Bill was passed through its final stages. SECOND READINGS. The Colonial Secretary moved the second reading'of the Laud and Income Assessment Act Amendment Bill, which came from the Lower House. The provisions of the Bill were fully explained when the Bill was introduced in another place. The second reading was agreed to. On the question of committal of the Bill, the Hon E. C. 3. Stevens enquired if the Council had the power to > amend the Bill —for instance, clause 10. The SpEAKER Baid he would give his ruling next day. The Bill was committed and reported without amendment. The Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the Land for Settlements Amendment Bill,: which emanated in the House, on which occasion its provisions were fully explained. The second reading was agreed to a f tor a brief debate. The Colonial,: Secretary moved the second reading of the Stock Act Amendment 'Bill, which came from the House, and which, Sir Patrick Bnckley explained, was merely of a technical character. At the evening sitting the second reading was agreed to. imprest supply. The Imprest Supply Bill, No. 4, was received from the House, and passed all stages. WATER SUPPLY AMENDMENT BILL. The Colonial: Secretary moved the second reading of this Bill, which came from the House t upon which occasion its provisions were explained by the Minister in charge of the BilL , The Hons Jenkinson, Shrimski and Eeynolds expressed the hope that the expenses of members of boards would be carefully scrutinised. The Colonial Secretary said that one of the objects of the Act if it became law would be to see that no extravagance in the matter of travelling allowances lor members of boards and committeemen would be permitted. The second reading was agreed to. FOREIGN INSURANCE DEPOSITS AMEND- • MENT PILL. The COLONIAL Secretary moved the second reading of this Bill, and after a short discussion the motion was agreed tqipa thq voices, , -■ '■ " ,

TEACHERS’ INCORPORATION BILL* Tho Hofi VV. Montoomßity moved the second rending of this Bill, and in doing so Browed that frequent inconveniences existed with regard to disputes, arising between teachers and committees, Tho HonT. Kelly hoped tho Bill wouldlbe improved in committee. Tho Hon S. B. Shhimhki complained that tho State teachers did not inculcate good manners to their pupils. The Hon C. C. Bowen thought it a good idea there should bo a power to enable teachers to appeal. Teachers should bo able not only to touch the elements of education, but should also bo able to inculcate good manners and other broad educational subjects. He supported the Bill. The Hon Sir G. 8. Whitmore said there was at present no disciple amongst teachers of State schools. Tho Hon J, MacGregor feared that the Bill did not express enough in the caso of teachers who had a grievance, but upon the whole it would confer, ho thought, a great boon upon teachers. Tho Hon J. A. Bonar regarded tho Bill as a good one. Tho Hon W. M. Bolt thought tho Bill would have a good effect in destroying the ill-feeling which existed in some districts between tho officers of boards and the teachers. Tho ilon J. Kerr, as ono who had had some experience in State school matters, hailed the Bill as one calculated to relieve teachers. The Hon W. Montgomery, replying, said ho considered tho teaching community as the most important faculty in tho land, and he considered the Bill would prove a boon to a hard-working class of men and women than when there was not a more deserving or educated class in tho Colony, Tho boards, ho was happy to say, were capable and tear* less in their decisions as to whether teachers under their control should bo dismissed summarily or after throe months’ notice. In conclusion ho believed tho Bill would give teachers a greater feeling of security in their situations. The second reading was agreed to on tho voices. RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUES BILL. The Hon W. Montgomery moved the aucond reading of this Bill, which was folly explained on the second reading in the House. Tho Hon C. C. Bowen moved that tho Bill bo read a second time that day six months. Tho Hon It. Phara/.yn warmly supported tho amendment. The Hon W. McCullough moved the adjournment of tho debate, which was agreed to. The Council ato.4sp.m. adjourned tPTnoxt day. ' HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, October I*s. The Speaker took tho chair at 2.30 p.m. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were-introduced and road a fir»fc time r—Tho Phylloxera BUI, tho Land Drainage Bill, tho Land Act Amendment BUI, tho Agricultural and Pastoral Statistics Bill, tho Reserves Disposal and Exchange Bill, tho Public Reserves Vesting and Sale Amendment Bill, Hon Mr McKenzie ; the Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill, Hon Mr Soddon ; tho Public Securities Bill, tho Beetroot Sugar Bill, Hon Mr Ward; tho Lunatics Act Amendment Eili, Hon Mr Reeves. IMPREST SUPPLY BILL. An Imprest Supply Bill for -6155,500 was introduced and passed through its first and second readings. In committee, Sir Robert Stout moved to report progress, doing this as a protest against tho Government refusing to supply details as to tho disposal of sinking funds. The Premier said there wore accounts and salaries to bo paid, and ho hoped tho Bill would bo passed through all stages that day. Tho question of the sinking funds, ho pointed out, was now before a committee of tho House. Tho Government wore only following the usual course in this matter. After a brief debate tho Colonial Treasurer said it was a most unusual thing to raise such a question upon an Imprest Supply Bill. Tho motion to report progress was lost by 37 to 15, , „ The Bill was ultimately passed through all stages. Tho 5.80 adjournment interrupted tho proceedings. The House resumed at 7.30. corrupt practices prevention bill. # A technical amendment was made in this Bill by Governor’s message, the Bill having already passed through Parliament.

CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DUTIES BILL. The amendments proposed to bo made in this Bill by Governor's message came up for consideration. Tho Colonial Treasurer first moved to place gas motors under the same tariff as apparatus for producing gas, viz., 10 per cent. ; also to place 41 stoam-onyines and parts thereof, including boilers therefor, imported specially for mining or dairying purposes under a 5 per cent, duty/’ Mr Ward explained that those amendments were simply omissions which occurred during tho progress of tho Bill through tho House. Sir Kohert Stout moved to strike out that portion of the clause fixing a 5 per cent, duty on dairying and mining machinery. Such machinery, ho said, could be made in tho Colony, and tho old tariff of 20 per cent, on this class of machinery should be adhered to. The Premier pointed out that other similar classes of machinery wore admitted at a duty of 5 per cent., and it would not be fair to now specially tax mining and dairying machinery. Mr llutuie eaid it would bo impossible to distinguish dairying and mining engines from engines used for other purposes. There was no special kind of engines used for dairying and mining. , Mr McGowan agreed with tho proposed amendments as being only fair and removing anomalies. Sir Kobbrt Stout’s amendment was lost by 4-2 to 12. Tho Colonial Treasurer’s amendments wore then agreed to. Tho Colonial Treasurer then moved to place 4< machinery for gold-saving purposes ” on the free list. This, after some debate, was agreed to by 47 to 5. A Other unimportant amendments were made in accordance with His Excellency’s message.

LAND AND INCOME TAX BILL. The Colonial Treasurer moved the second reading of this Till, the usual annual measure providing for the collection of the land and income tax. Sir Robert Stout said it was not usual to pass this Bill until the Estimates of expenditure wore before the House. The Premier said the Estimates would m no way affect this Bill. Sir Robert Stout was right, but under the circumstances there could bo no objection to passing the Bill at the present'stage. The second reading of the Bill was agreed to on tho voices, and the Bill was then taken in committee. , , , . Mr Montgomery moved to fix the date for the collection of the taxes at November Ist, 1895, for »tbo land tax, and January 31st, 1890, tor the income tax. The Colonial Treasurer said he would like to fix tho date as late as possible, but the financial requirements of the country had to bo considered. Tho Government must he allowed to exercise their judgment unfettered by any such provision as sot out in Mr Montgomery's motion. Dr Newman moved to substitute Ist December for Ist November as tho date for the collection of the land tax. This was lost by 32 to 18. Mr Montgomery’s motion was lost by 29 to

28. Captain Bussell moved to odd a proviso to the Bill to tho effect that where land or income tax exceeded JS2O it should be collected in two equal instalments at intervals of not less than two calendar months, and not prior to tho Ist of January, 1896. Tho Colonial Treasurer said he could not accept this amendment. There were very few persons who paid above j 620 of land or income tax, and this proposal would prove of ▼erv little benefit. The usual 10.30 adjournment took place. The House resumed at 11 o’clock. ■ The debate on Captain Bussell's amendment was continued for some time, the motion ultimately being lost by 36 to 20. The Bill was roporteu without amendment, and passed through its final stages. LOCAL AUTHORITIES LOANS CONVERSION

The Colonial Treasurer moved tho second reading of this Bill, briefly explaining its provisions. It would, he admitted, be said that something should bp done to enable those local bodies who were paying too high a rate of interest on their loans to improve their position financially by conversion. He Based under this Bill to provide for all bodies converting their loans having tho use of the released sinking funds. From the date of the conversion, however, a sinking fund of not less than 1 per cent, fior more than 2 per cent, of the loan was to be set aside to wipe oat the loan, this sinking fund to bo in the hands of the Public Trustee. Tho currency of tho loans under tho Bill was sot out at thirty years. He proposed to extend this limit to 50 years. If a low rate of interest was to bo obtained, this was necessary. Harbour boards wore to be brought under the provisions of tho Act, and provision was to bo made for tho inscription of stock at as low a cost as possible. With the falling rates of interest and tho tendency of money to become cheaper, it seemed to him to bo a right thing to give local bodies tho power to convert their loans and improve their finance as much ae possible. Mr Dutkie said tho idea that there was any benefit to be derived from tho conversions was all delusion, Tho only object of the conversions by the Government was to get at the sinking funds. Having committed themselves to a certain rate of interest, they must pay that interest, and conversions would not lessen the amount to be paid. Tho proposal to allow tho use of accrued sinking funds was merely a bait to needy local bodies, and tho proposal to extend the period of tho loans was a blunder entirely opposed to tho teaching of past experience, Mr Bell thought tho Bill would bo a good one did it not contain that piofligato system of using accrued sinking funds. What local body could'resist the temptation offered by this Bill f These sinking funds wore the savings of tho past, and should only be used for the purpose for which they were set aside, vis., the wiping off of the debt. He believed the Bill if amended would confer n very great benefit upon the local authorities and the people of tho Colony. He opposed the idea of placing tho sinking funds in the hands of the Public Trustee—they should be left to the local authorities to manage. Mr Montgomery thought the Colonial Treasurer was to be congratulated upon haring brought down a very feasible scheme for the conversion of the loans of local bodies. He objected, however, to the proposal to use released sinking, funds. Sir Robert Stout said that tho Colonial Treasurer deserved credit forbrlnglngin an Act to enable local bodies to convert their loans. Ho disagreed, however, with details of tho Bill. It introduced three now principles, viz., Harbour Board conversions, tho use of released sinking funds for purposes other than wiping off debt, and tho altering of tho term of theloan to 30 years. Continuing, Sir Robert Stone wont on to point out his objeotions to these departures. Mr Buchanan agreed with-Mr Dathie obA |ljc }ast speaker, In the interest o£ local $■

vornment and of sound finance ho would oppose the Bill at every stage. Mr G. W. Russell congratulated the Government on having brought down this Bill, winch he considered a very necessary one. Any objections to it were merely committee objections. . .Several other discussed tue Bill, the opinion generally being in favour of its principle. The Colonial Tp.easurbr, m replying to criticisms on tho Bill, said members had entirely overlooked the fact that there would bo a certain amount of cost for coversion operations, and any accrued sinking funds would go towards defraying this. Taking the average cost of converting the loans of tho local bodies of tho Colony, the accrued sinking funds at the present time would not meet that cost. He was quite prepared to accept any reasonable amendments likely to improve tho Bill. The Bill had been carefully thought out, and was in tho best interests of the Colony. The statement that no conversion operations in this Colony had been a success was quite incorrect. In every case tho matter was carefully gone into before any conversion was attempted. It was perfectly true *hat the indebtedness of tho Colony was increased by those conversions, but tho reduced rate of interest arranged made a saving and provided for sinking fund that would eventually wipe off the loan altogether. Mr Bell wanted to know whether it would bo provided that local bodies would not absorb for general purposes any released sinking funds remaining after payment of the cost of conversion. The Colonial Treasurer said he believed it necessary for tho successful working of tho Bill that it should remain as at present. Tho second reading of the Bill was agreed to on tho voices. The House rose at 1.55 a.m.