PARLIAMENT.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 203, 14 August 1896, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

NEW ELECTORATE.

Our Wellington correspondent wires:—

The Commissioners can alter boundaries in order to maintain community of interest. If the people of Opunake are dissatisfied they should petition the Commissioners. Mr McGuire is asking the Treasurer to place on the estimates a grant in aid of the Opunake jetty, and also to provide a daily mail service between Opunake and New Plymouth in lieu of the present tri-weekly which is found to be so inconvenient, the large increase of settlement between Opunake and New Plymouth warranting further mail facilities being provided. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, Augnst 11. The second reading of the Wesleyan Methodist Church Property Act Amendment Bill was agreed to. A motion by Hon. Mr Bolt for a return jo show the expenditure on the Otago Central Railway to date was carried, together with an amendment asking for the average cost per mile, when Hon. Mr Jenkinson, its mover, said he had reason to believe was enormous.

The Pharmacy Bill passed through Committee in the Council with a few technical amendments made by the Joint Statutes Revision Committee. A new sub-clause was added, providing that the Act shall not apply to homasopathic, patent or proprietary medicines or chemicals as are usually sold by grocers or storekeepers. The following second readings were assented to by the Council: Harbor Board Loan (Hon. W. C. Walker) and Caversham Waterworks (Hon. Mr Feldwick).

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. The Constitution Act Amendment Bill, which was introduced on Tuesdry, provides for the extinguishment of present life appointments to the Legislative Council by the gradual re- . tirement of the holders, five to retire annually, who, however, are to be eligible for reappointment. Women are made eligible for appointment to a seat in the Council. The Bill contains a provision that when the Bill.*, has been twice passed by one House and twice rejected by the other the two Houses are to be summoned, to the number of forty, to sit as a convention, and a bare majority of the combined Chambers is to decide the question. -The machinery for carrying out the referendum system is also provided. Evidently the measure is only introduced for electioneering purposes, and there is no probability of its being pressed this session. DIVORCE BILL. In connection with the Divorce Act Amendment Bill, which Mr Collins had passed through the Lower House, a curious point was raised in the Council. The measure merely places the sexes on an equality as to adultery, and Mr McLean pointed out that the Council had already this session rejected a similar Bill introduced by the Hon M. Bolt. He asked the Speakers ruling on the subject and the Speaker replied that' he would give an opinion later on, upon which the debate was adjourned. POSTAL CLASSIFICATION. It is the Postmaster General's opinion that the whole question of classification in the Postal Department requires looking into, and he thinks that the Ministers are responsible. A board should make classification. SWEATING BANK CLERKS. The Minister of Labor says that too much sweating of bank clerks and those employed in offices goes on, and hopes in amending the Shop Hours Bill to be brought down shortly provision will be made to meet the case of these overworked clssses. THE ESTIMATES. There was the usual thrashing out of general complaints in connection with the first item on the estimates. . The Opposition directed their criticism to the management of the State farm, Levin, Pomohaka estate, and Waiwera railway collision. f Iu the course of the discussion the Premier mentioned there were no un— J paid Ministers at the present moment. After a discussion lasting several hours the estimates of the legislative departments were agreed to, the only reduction being in the vote for Hansard reporters, which was decreased by £550 on the motion of the Premier, who explained the reduction was necessary owing to the reorganisation of the staff.

TOBACCO DUTIES. The Tobacco Exoise Duties Bill provides that the duty on tobacco manufactured in the colony after December 81st next shall be—On tobacco Is in the lb ; on cigars and snuff Is 6d ; on cigarettes (if made by machinery) 8s 6d, and if made by hand, Is. Under the Tobacco Act Amendment Bill which Mr Seddon is introducing it is provided that only licensed persons shall be allowed to sell tobacco, the annual license fee being £1 per annum. LICENSING. The Premier told Dr Newman that when the Government Licensing Bill was before the House the question of absolutely preventing hotel licenses from being shifted from place to place can be taken into consideration.