PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 17, 28 August 1894, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, August 21. PROGRESS OF BILLS. The Council decided not to insist on the amendments in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill, to which the other Chamber took exception. _ The Harbours Act Amendment Bill, which originated in the House of Representatives, was read a second time. August 28. THE DIVORCE BILL. On the motion for the committal of the Divorce Bill, Sir G. S. Whitmore moved its recommital that day three months, on the ground that the Bill was not required. The amendment was lost by 18 to 16, and the Bill was committed. The Hon. Mr Pharazyn moved the excision of sub-section 1 in clause 2, placing sexes on an equality with reference to obtaining divorce for adultery. The amendment was lost, and the clause retained. Progress was then reported, with leave to sit again. LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT. The Lands for Settlement Bill was read a first time. August 23. THE GAMING BILL. The Gaming Bill was committed. After discussion, the Bill was agreed to with verbal amendments. HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, August 21. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT. The Hon. Mr McKenzie moved the third reading of the Land for Settlement Bill. He thought the Bill was a very fair one. There was one alteration, however, that would have to be made, namely, that two shall form a quorum instead of three. Capt. Russell recognised that it was quite impossibe to do anything to stop the passage of the Bill; but as it had passed through Committee, he had seen reason to dislike it still more than he had in the first instance.

Sir Robert Stout pointed out that the Bill would be very far reaching in its effects. By it all freehold in New Zealand would be abolished, and he conconsidered that they might take a step further and establish perpetual lease. He objected also to the constitution of the Board, which was wholly a political one, and the whole framework of the Bill was purely political. There was no judicial element on the Board, as all held their offices at the will of the Ministry of the day. The Hon. Mr Seddon said, as to Sir R. Stout’s contention that the abolition of freehold was advanced Liberalism, he (Mr Seddon) thought that it was confiscation, and could not agree to it. He denied that the present Board was of a political character: it was an official Board, and was the best that could possibly be got. The Hon. Mr Reeves said that the argument that freehold would be abolished by the Bill was fallacious ; for any man could hold 1000 acres which would not be touched by this Bill. The Bill was read a third time on the voices.

August 22. REVISION OF TARIFF. Replying to Mr Hogg, the Hon. R. J. Seddon stated that the matter of the revision of the tariff had received the attention of the Government, and they hoped to deal with the whole question in a systematic manner as soon as possible. ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE RILL. Major Steward moved the second reading of the Elective Executive Bill (to provide for the election of the Executive Council). He said, although his Bill might not pass its second reading that night, he felt sure that the subject would have to be faced, as public opinion was growing in its favour. He pointed out that two committees of the House had reported favourably on the principle of his Bill, and a Royal Commission in Victoria, appointed to consider the question, had drawn up a report similar to the provisions of this Bill. The evils of party Government were now so apparent that it was necessary to try some other form of Government. After detailing at length the provisions, of the Bill, he said that if it passed, the Government and the Legislature would be raised to a higher plane, and into a purer atmosphere. Mr Saunders strongly supported the Bill, and said if they had an elective executive they would secure the best men, and men of equal minds. The present system of Government led to a continuance of the system of a one-man Government, but the adoption of the system proposed would alter that state of things. The Hon. W. P. Reeves could not admit that a strong case had been made out for this Bill, which was really an academic question, and should be discussed in an academic manner. If this Bill were passed, it would take away direct power from the people (through their representatives) to remove any Government at the shortest notice if that Government misconducted itself. The proposal that a Minister may be removed by secret intrigue was one of the worst in the Bill, and he hoped that at any rate that provision would be struck out. Sir Robert Stout said that no one could deny that party Government had its advantages, but the question was whether this was not a better system. It could not be denied that many reforms had been gained by party organistion, but owing to its abuses the public were being roused to see whether party Government could not be revised and improved. The Bill provided that each Parliament coming fresh from the people should elect the executive. The Premier said he was surprised at the speech just made by Sir Robert Stout, who had formerly spoken of the baneful effects that would result from non-party Government. August 28. The Premier, continuing his remarks

on the Elective Executive Bill, said he strongly supported party Government,, and that all the best reforms were obtained under that form of Government. The introduction of -a Bill of this kind was injurious to the Liberal Party, who for years past had been fighting against class interest. Major Steward did not exercise his right to reply. On a division the second reading was lost by 27 to 21, the Bill being therefore killed. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions, it was slated that the question of granting village settlers advances on the value of their improvements was ‘under the consideration of the Government, but it would have to be dealt with in a separate Bill. That there was no truth in the report that Charles R. Valentine, Produce Commissioner for this colony, in England, was an officer of the New South Wales Government. The AgentGeneral had been advised that Mr Valentine was an officer of the colony, and he was instructed not to allow the interests of this colony to suffer. That as there was some doubt as to who should receive licensing fees under the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act, the matter would be put beyond all doubt in the present Act. MARRIED WOMEN’S PROPERTY. The Married Women’s Property Bill was passed through committee without amendment. FACTORIES BILL. The Factories Bill was committed. In clause 57 (persons under sixteen not to be employed unless they have passed the fourth standard in a public school), Mr Reeves moved to add a new provision that this section shall not apply to persons who have lived more than three miles from a school, and therefore in the opinion of the Inspector had no adequate opportunity of comylyiug with this section. Agreed to. On the motion of Sir Robert Stout, the following words were added ; “Or any equivalent examination to that prescribed under the Education Act, 1887. The whole provision was then put and carried by 43 to 12, and the clause passed. In clause 61 (girls under fifteen not to work as type-setters), Mr Morrison moved to alter the age to seventeen. On a division, Mr Morrison’s amendment was lost by 35 to 20, and “ fifteen ” years was retained.