PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 15, 21 August 1894, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

WOMEN TO BECOME LAWYERS. The House assented on the voices to the Law Practitioners Act Amendment, a bill which entitles members of either sex to become lawyers, and provides that examinations shall be in the English language only. The measure this year is in charge of Mr Geo. Hutchison who has taken it up in Sir G. Grey’s absence. ONE BURGESS ONE VOTE. By 87 to 28, the House carried the second reading of Mr Wm. Hutchison’s Municipal Franchise Bill, which restricts householders to one vote only, and every ratepayer not resident in the Borough also to one vote at Municipal elections. MIDLAND RAILWAY. The Midland Railway Committee has decided to report that being satiated that the company cannot raise the 'capital necessary to complete the several railway works enumerated in the original contract resolves that it is necessary to confine future negotiations to the railway between Springfield and Jackson’s, the Belgrove section being arranged to be completed to a point at the junction of Norris Gully and the Motueka Valley. PROGRESS OF BILLS. The Middle District of New Zealand University College Bill passed through the final stage. The Shearers’ Accommodation Bill passed through Committee, some new clauses being added, one that sleeping accommodation be 144 cubic feet to each shearer. Dr Newman’s Pharmacy Bill was next taken in Committee. The Premier said the Wellington chemists agreed to the Government amendment that examination be regulated by Order-in-Council. If Dr. Newman accepted this amendment the Government would take up the Bill. Dr Newnan declined to accept the amendment, saying it would mean that any man who could get the ear of the Government, or was of the “ right color, would be allowed to practice. The Premier then moved that profress be reported, which was carried y 24 to 20, and the House rose at 12.80. PROGRESS OF BILLS. The Council passed the second reading of the Gaming Bill, and referred it to the Statutes Revison Committee. The House was occupied for a whole afternoon with local Bills. The Wei-

lington City Drainage Bill, which the Government opposed, formed the main bone of contention. DISTRICT COURT. The Minister of Justice says that he is rapidly coming to the conviction that it will be better to extend the jurisdiction of Resident Magistrates and abolish District Courts. INCOME TAX. The Government have under consideration the question of making remissions of income tax where the profit does not reach 5 per cent, - LAND FOR SETTLEMENT. The Land for Settlement Bill got into Committee last night. The first battle was over the retention of the member for the district on the Board of Purchase. This was strongly defended by the Minister for Lands, who however, said he would accept any amendments made in the clause by the Committee. The Minister for Education, T. Mackenzie, Duncan, and others spoke, and were resisted by Sir Robert Sout, Mr O'Regan, and Capt. Russell, on the ground that members would not care about undertaking so invidious a task, which would surely bring upon them much abuse from one side or another, and lead to considerable recrimination. After nearly three hours’ discussion, the words “ members for district ” were struck out by 38 to 82. Sir Robert Stout then moved to strike out “ Chairman of county,” which was agreed to by 82 to 26. The Minister for Lands said that it would never do to have only the Surveyor-General, Commissioner of Taxes, and Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district on the Board, and intimated his intention of asking the clause to be recommitted later on, so as to strengthen the constitution of the Board, Sir Robert Stout said that three Government officers would, in his opinion, suffice. Consideration of clause 6 lasted till 3.80, when progress was reported. Captain Russell moved an addition to the clause, giving the owner the option of decidiug after the sitting of a Compensation Court whether he shall proceed further with the sale of the remainder of his estate, if he should not, in his opinion, be allowed full compensation. This was negatived by 35 t© 8. On the Minismotion, an addition was made to the clause, providing that an owner should have nine months to clear his stock off the land.