GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15885, 3 October 1913, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (Fza Unird Peibj Association.) WELLINGTON, October 2. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. A LOCAL BILL. The Joint Committee on Bills reported that the Christchurch Electrical Supply Empowering Bill was a local Bill. THE AMERICAN TARIFF. The Hon. Mr LOTJGENAN moved that tie Department of Industries and Commerce .he instructed to make inquiries into the changes now bekig made in the United States tariff and inform the public exaciJy from time to time. The motion was agreed to. CHRISTCHURCH ELECTRICAL SUPPLY. Thß Council went into committee on the Christchurch Electrical Supply Empowersng Bill. At clause 3 the Hon. Mr JENKINSON moved an amendment which would compel the City Council to take a poll of the ratepayers on the question of borrowing the required before taking up the loan. The Hon. Mr EARR pointed out that the rates of the city were not involved, 86 the money was •secured by liens over the property on which the money was spent, so that the interests' of the general ratepayer were cot at stake.

The Hon. Mr BELL pointed out that the principle in the Bill was analagous with Uie practice which had' been ,in vogue since 1892 in connection with drainage schemes. It had been found to work most advantageously in the past, and the Council would be justified in affirming the same principle in connection with electric lighting. Tto Hon. Mr DTjTHIE contended that electiic power had not been a success at Niagara. On the question of financing the proposal, he insisted that if there was a loss tie general ratepayers would have to make it good, and therefore they ought to be consulted at a poll.

. The amendment was lost by 21 votes to 2. At clause 5 the Hon. Mr EAMSHAW moved to strike out the provision giving the City Council power to enter into the light-installing business. The amendment was lost. The Bill was then reported with immaterial amendments, after which it was read a third time and passed. ARCHITECTS BILL, The, New Zealand Institute of Architects Bill was read a second time on the motion of the Hon. Mr BELL. LOCAL ELECTIONS BILL. The Hon. Mr BELL moved the second reading of the Local Elections and Polls Act Amendment Ball. He explained that it was primarily designed to check plural voting and punish bribery, treating, and defamation at local elections. The Bill was read a second time without debate.

The Council tiwn adjourned until Wednesday,