PARLIAMENT.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 109, 19 July 1895, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, Wednesday. The Sale of Goods Bill and the Institute of Surveyors Bill we--o put through their final stages. HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, Wednesday. In reply to questions it was stated the Government could not give a subsidy to country libraries; that there was no intention of transforming the Bank of New Zealand into a Statu Bank. NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOE BONDHOLDERS. Mr Ward stated to the House that an interview had taken place in Loudon between the Council of Foreign Bondholders, the Agent-General and himself respecting the position of New Plymouth Harbor Board. The principal complaint of the Council was that 200,000 acres of land had been taken by the Government and restored to the natives. The deputation urged that this was against the terms of the original prospectus, and asked him to agree to arbitration on the point. This he distinctly refused to do, and said he should refer the whole matter to his colleagues in Wellington, which had been.done. BILLS. Native Townships Bill was read the third time and passed. . In Committee on Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill a clause raising the age of consent to 16 years was passed. A new clause was added providing for a penalty of 14 years' imprisonment for wilfully placing obstruction on the railway line.

The Evidence Further Amendment Bill was committed. Clause 11, absolving pressmen from being-compelled to disclose the name of any contributor, produced several hours' discussion. Mr Reeves opposed the clause, as also did Messrs McKenzie and Seddon. Eventually the Clause was thrown out by 87 to 15. The Bill was recommitted for the purpose of striking out Clauses 9 and 10, which provided that all confessions made to ministers of religion and medical men should be privileged. After considerable discussion, Mr Beeves moved to report progress, which was agreed to. QUESTIONS. Replying to a question, it was stated that tha Government did not think it advisable to set up a committee to enquire into the position of Harbor Boards in the colony; that the Government would send an officer to report on the discovery of natural illumination gas in the Taranaki district at Inglewood, and also to examine and report on the petroleum deposits near New Plymouth. LICENSING LAW. A long discussion took place on the manner in which the licensing law was enforced throughout the colony. THE TOTALISATOK. ■ A motion by Mr Carnell that with a view to reducing the number of race meetings in the coiony, it is most desirable that the clause in the Gaming and Lotteries Act legalising the use of the totalisator should be repealed was carried by 85 to 24/ WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT. Dr Newman moved the second reading of Admission of Women to Parliament Bill to admit women to the General Assembly of New Zealand. He said that since last year the Bill had been before the couutry, aud had met with general favor. Mr Carncross seconded the motion, as he looked upon it as the logical sequence of giving women votes in parliamentary elections. After a couple of hours' debate the reading was refused by 35 to 2G. BEFEEENDUM. Mr O'Regan moved the second reading of the Referendum Bill to refer to electors of the colony certain motions or Bills for their decision. Mr Seddon opposed the Bill, on the ground that it meant abolition of the Legislative Council. After a long debate, the second reading was carried by 27 to 14. PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. The Divorce Bill of the Hon J. MacGregor has been circulated, and differs materially from the Bill, he introduced * last year, insomuch as it is nothing like so drastic as his former proposals. The principal grounds for a petition for divorce are adultery, and desertion of a wife without cause during a period extending over three years or upwards. Another provision is that the Supreme Court may on petition of the parties to. a judical separation, after such a decree has been in force for a period of three years, pronounce a decree of dissolution of marriage in lieu thereof, and no covenant or agreement between the parties to the suit of a dissolution of marriage shall operate as a bar to a petition presented by either of them. Whenever a decree for dissolution of marriage is obtained against a husband who has no property which can be secured, the Court may make an order on the part of the husband to the wife during their joint lives for such monthly or weekly sums for her maintenance as shall be deemed reasonable. In all undefended cases the wife Bhall have custody of the children by the marriage. All divorce suits may, on the application of either party, be heard in Chambers, and the Court may forbid the reports to be published in newspapers.

Mr Kelly wants the Native Lauds Act of last session amended so as to permit half-castes and others of the Native race to lease or mortgage their lands. Mr Kelly thinks this would place the Natives in a position to pay their just debts. A deputation from the Knights of Labor assembly had an hour and a-half interview with Mr Seddon, who discussed the resolutions seriatim. He said he thought the platform put forth

by the Order was a moderate' one. With regard to the proposal to hold a conference as to frozen meat, Mr Seddon said Mr Ward was taking great interest in the matter and the Government would give its assistance. Captain Russell gave notice that on going into Committee of Supply he would move a resolution traversing the Colonial Treasurer's speech to the London Chamber of Commerce repecting the three million securities. Mr Collins is asking the Government to provide a training-ship to which boys guilty of criminal acts could be sent instead of, as at present, being sent to gaol. THE PROHIBITION PARTY'S LICENSING BILL. " The Bill drafted by the representatives of the different temperance societies of the Colony, and .introduced into the House by Mr McNab has been circulated amongst members. Sections 14 to 20 of the Bill of last year, dealing with increase and renewals of licenses, are repealed and subsection 5, secion 81 of the Act of 1881, providing that objections may be taken to the renewal of a license where the licensing thereof is not required in the neighborhood, or that the quiet of place in the place in which such premises are situate will bo disturbed if a license is granted, is revived. Section 71 of the Licensiug Act of 1881 is amended so that the whole committee, and not only the chairman, must decide on the granting of packet and wholesale licenses. These wholesale licenses, which in the past allowed the holders to sell liquors in quantities of not less than two gallons, are under this Bill to make the minimun quantity 10 gallons, and a priviso is added to the effect that no wholesale license shal authorise the sale of liquors in a dis trict that has declared for " no license." From January the Ist, 1897, no bottle, New Zealand wine, packet or conditional liceuses are to be granted, and after the expiry of any leases now in force for refreshment rooms no license shall be granted. Subsection 3of section 27 of last year's Act is amended so that no charter shall be issued for a club in any district that has declared for no license, thus taking away the optioual power previously allowed the Colonial Secretary. The local and colonial option polls are to be taken every three years and on the same day as the general election, the second Wednesday in April being fixed as the most suitable date. Such elections are to be decided by bare majorities, and the question to be put to the electors is merely license or no license. In the case of local prohibition being carried no licenses or renewals are to be granted after the 80th of June following the taking of the poll. The effect of the colonial Prohibition vote being carried i 3 given in clause 19 as follows : " From and after the 81st day of March ensuing next after the day (in April) on which such poll was taken, it shall be unlawful to graut or renew any license or any club charters in the the colony; and all licenses and club charters and railway refresh-ment-room licenses in force on that day shall continue in force until the 80th day of. Juue next ensuing, and shall then cease and determine. After the Sist March mentioned the Commissioners of Customs is to be the only person permitted to import liquor into the colony, and he may only sell it under stringent conditions for medicinal purposes or for use in the arts and manufactures. The Bill contained 21 clauses.—N.Z. Times.