PARLIAMENT.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 136, 22 October 1895, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ADDITIONS TO BUILDINGS. Plans were laid on the table for alterations and additions to the Legislative Council Buildings at a cost of £IBOO. PROGRESS OF BILLS. The Land and Income Tax Bill was put through all its stages. The Foreign Insurance Companies Deposits Bill was read a third time and passed. The debate on the second reading of the Bating on Unimproved Value Bill was continued, but not finished at 5 p.m. HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES. THE LIQUOR BILL. The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act Amendment Bill was received from the Legislative Council with amendments. Mr Seddon said no one regretted more than he did the great difference of opinion that existed between the two branches of the Legislature on this Bill. Seeing that the Bill had been unanimously passed by this House, he thought the only course he could pursue was to ask the House to refuse to agree with any amendments made by the Council. He, therefore, moved in this direction, and that Messrs Seddon, McNab, Meredith and Mitchelson be appointed a committee to draw up reasons for disagreeing. He thought this was a fair selection. Mr George Hutchison said if these gentlemen were to meet the Council as representing the House, the Premier was taking the best step to prevent a compromise being effected this session.

Mr G. J. Smith seconded the amendment. He complained that only members of moderate' views had been selected on the Committee, and asserted that in making this selection the Premier had placed an insult upon a large section of the public of New Zealand. Sir Robert Stout had taken a very great interest in this question, and yet he had been utterly ignored. He (Mr Smith) did not think the conference ought to be held, and the House would be best consulting its dignity by refusing to have anything further to do with the Bill this session.

Mr Montgomery contended that Mr McNab had as much right to represent the temperance Party as Sir Robert Stout. Mr Maslin said there was no use going into the Bill again this session. . Mr Earnshaw said the amendments had been carried in the Upper House by such large majorities as to ensure that no compromise could be arrived at. The liquor interest had the advantage on the Committee proposed by the Premier. Mr Seddon deprecated the inflammatory and abusive speeches that had been made that afternoon. Such utterances would do no good, and would only weaken the position of the House in the matter. He defended his selection of the Committee, and said when the time came for a battle royal with the other Chamber on the question he would put forward his strongest forces to maintain the position of the House. It would show a sign of weakness to adopt the course suggested in the amendment. Sir Robert Stout spoke in support of the amendment. The House should take the bold step now of declining to appoint a conference, and tackle the question afresh early next session. Mr Reeves thought nothing would bo gained by irritating the other Chamber and treating them with discourtesy, and it was not in the interests of the Bill to refuse to appoint a conference. The Hon Mr McKenzie said the Government had no objection to putting Sir Robert Stout on the Committee. After further lengthy discussion, Mr W. Hutchison's amendment was lost by 46 to 12, and it was decided to disagree with all the amendments. The Hou Mr McKenzie then moved the names of the Committee to draw up reasons, including that of Sir Robert Stout in the number, but Sir Robert Stout declined to act. Mr McKenzie thereupon moved that Messrs Seddon, Mitchelson, McNab, and Meredith be appointed a Committee. This was agreed to on the voices. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT ACT. It was decided, on the motion of the Minister of Lands, to disagree with the amendments of the Council in clause 3 of the Land for Settlement Act. The Council, by this amendment, struck the District Land Registrar off the Land Purchase Board. A Committee was appointed to draw up reasons for disagreeing. CIUMINAL CODE ACT. Mr C. 11. Mills gave notice to introduce " The Criminal Code Amendment Act, 1895," as the outcome of the failure of the recent appeal in the Chomis case. THE HANKS. Captain Russell asked if the Premier could give the House any indication as to when the agreement between the Colonial Bank and the Bank of New Zealand for the purchase of the former institution would be laid on the table. Mr Seddon said that an agreement had been come to between sellers and purchasers, and the details were now being arranged ; that being the case he expected to have the agreement laid before the House in definite shape next day. < NATIVE LAND LAW. The House went into Committee on the Native Land Laws Amendment Bill. Considerable discussion took place on Clause 5, purchaser to make declaration, and no alienation to be confirmed by the Court in favor of persons ! holding move than G-10 acres. Mr R, Thompson moved to strike I

out tbe clause, as it meant stoppage of settlement in the north. Mr Seddon com batted the statement that his native policy was blocking settlement, but said it would prove disastrous to pakeha Maoris aud land jobbers. Messrs Massey, W. Kelly, and Duthie express 1 an opinion that the native land p: 1 y >f the Government was interfering >\ th settlement. Mr Seddon said he did not desire to place the natives at a greater disadvantage than Europeans under the present Land Act, and he should therefore agree to amend the clause so as to provide that no alienation of land should be made in favor of persons holding more than 640 acres of firstclass land, 2000 acres second-class, and 5000 acres of third-class land. Eveutually the clause was postponed so that it might be amended to bring it in conformity with the Land Act. The Premier intimated that the agreement for the purchase of the Colonial Bank was ready for submission to the House.

In Committee on the Native Land Laws Amendment Bill, clause 43, which gives the Crown the right to determine any lease when it wishes to purchase Native laud was discussed several hours.

Eventually, Mr Seddon agreed to insert a proviso that no lease shall be determined except on the recommendation of the Land for Settlement Board of the district. Other amendments were made in the bill in accordance with the suggestions of the Native Affairs Committee. The bill was then put through its final stages. The Public Works and Government Railways Acts Amendment Bill, a technical measure, was read a second time.