The Criminal Code Act.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 6049, 14 September 1894, Page 1

The Criminal Code Act.

(by telegraph.) (from our own correspondent. ) Wellington, September 13. While the Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill was under discussion in Committee the Premier moved an amendment to the effect that the ago of consent should be raised to 16 years. Dr Newman moved another amendment that the age should be raised to 18 years. The Premier's amendment was agreed to on the voices. Mr Mills proposed a new clause (which was a clause of the separate Bill which he had already introduced) giving power of appeal to anyone convicted of a capital offence since the year 1889. He spoke strongly in favor of the clause which is framed in order to have Chemis retried. Sir R. Stout said that if this new clause was persisted in it would mean that the age of consent would not be raised this session, as the Bill had already passed the Council, but it would never agree to the new clause. Mr Seddon said that if the Council did not agree with the new clause he would not insist on its being included, and it could be again introduced. Mr Bell considered that the Bill would be a subversive of the whole course of English justice. It was an interference with the course of law which was entirely without precedent. Hero followed an animated legal discussion, in which most of the lawyers in the House joined. After over half an hour's discussion, Mr Thompson moved that progress be reported, and a division on the motion resulted in 14 for and 24 against. The motion was negatived. When the division was announced, Sir R. Stout said that he would wash his hands of the whole affair and luavo the House, as he considered Parliament had been degraded. The Premier said that, though nob in favor of the amendment, he thought Mr Mills was quite within his rights in moving it. A division was called for on the motion to read the clause a second time, and resulted: For, 33; against, 16. The second reading was agreed to. An amendment wae proposed to the clause by Mr Montgomery in order to make it of general application. To this the Premier objected. Mr Button moved an amendment making the clause apply to Chemis oijly. Mr Montgomery's amendment was negatived on the voices. A division was called for on Mr Button's amendment, "whioh waß earned by 82 to 15. The Bill as amended was then reported, and the House adjourned at 1.45.