PARLIAMENT.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 106, 9 July 1895, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, Friday. Hon McGregor’s Divorce Bill was read a first time. Hikutaria Block Boundary Bill was read a second time. HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, Thursday. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT.Mr Morrison moved the second reading of the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill. He said it had been urged against the Bill that it would reduce credit and thus injure the poor man, but his contention was there was far too much credit given in the colony, and it could well be curtailed. Mr J. W. Kelly opposed the Bill. He thought the House could not legislate to allow people to evade payment of their debts.

Mr Bell was nearly in accord with the main principle of the Bill. Mr Seddon appealed to the House to pass the Bill. It would be to the interest of small traders and of the workers themselves if imprisonment for debt were abolished. Mr Mills moved a hostile amendment “ That the Bill be read a second tine that day six months.” Mr McKenzie (Glutha) seconded the amendment. A division was taken and the second reading refused by 84 to 28, and the amendment agreed to. HOMES SECURITY BILL. Sir Robert Stout, in moving for the discharge of his Homes Security Bill, said he took that step because the Government had introduced a Bill which was practically a copy of his measure, with one exception—that the Government Bill provided for £IOO.O being secured, while his measure secured up to £.5000. JOURNALISTS BILL. Sir Robert Stout, in moving the second reading of the New Zealand Journalists Bill, said this was the third time the measure had been before the House. He denied that it gave & monopoly to certain journalists, as had been urged by the opponents of the Bill. The Minister of Lands strongly opposed the motion. The object of the Bill, he contended, was to make a close corporation, and to prevent others than associates from becoming journalists.

The Hon Major Steward contended that in holding that the Bill would lead to a close corporation, and prevent deserving men from entering into the ranks of journalists, the Minister of Lands had started with a preconceived idea, which did not exist. He warmly supported the measure. Mr Hogg, speaking as a journalist, regarded the Bill as a danger and a menace to the freedom of journalism, and opposed to the first principle of human freedom.

Mr Tanner moved, as an amendment, “ That the Bill be read a second time that day six months.” The Premier objected to the Bill, on the ground of its retrospective character, and that tendency of corporate bodies was to become more conservative.

Messrs Montgomery, Bell, Fraser, W. Hutchison, Collins, McLachlan, Pirani, and the Hon Mr Reeves spoke in favor of the Bill, and Messrs Millar and Hall against it. Mr Tanner’s amendment was defeated by 38 to 32, and the Bill was read a second time.

New Zealand Journalists’ Institute Bill (Sir R. Stout) and Family Homes Protection Bill (Hon Mr McKenzie) were read a second time. Contagious Diseases Act Repeat Bill and Industrial Schools Act Repeal Bill were put through the final 'Stages. Wellington, Friday, The Private Bills committee reported that the Standing Orders had not been complied with in case of the Bank of New Zealand Estates Company (Limited) Lottery Bill. • The Speaker said the Bill would be referred to a Joint Committee on Standing Orders. Replying to questions it was stated that instructions had been sent to the Commissioners of Crown Lands in the Colony not to dispose of any more pine forests. That the Government intended to have a full enquiry into the Horowhenua block.

The Coroners’ In juests Bill, Threshing Machine Owners, Lien Bill, Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill (to provide for the re-hearing of the Chemis Case), The Employers’ Private Benefit Society Bill, Deceased Husband's Brother Marriage Bill were read a second time without much debate.

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. THE NEW MINISTER. ''’ , The latest in reference to the additional Minister is a statement that the appointment will not be made outside the present Cabinet, but that the Hon. Mr Carrol will be given a portfolio. JOTTINGS. The Minister for Justice has a Bill under consideration dealing with the hypothecation of book debts. The Land for Settlement Act Amendment Bill provides for the appointment of a Land Purchase Inspector (the duties performed by Mr McKerrow) and for the officer being Chairman of the Purchase Board. The Hon. Mr Reeves has given notice of the Asiatic and Other Immigration Restriction Bill and the Endowed Schools Bill. Mr Pirani wauls to know whether the Minister for Labor will provide for the closing of Post Offices connected with country stores on the half-holiday, on except the stores from the Act. Mr McLachlan is moving in regard to the Premier’s prohibition against policemen taking part in athletics. Mr Wilson is asking for an Actio make it illegal to drive sheep at xuPm