PARLIAMENT.

Opunake Times, Volume VII, Issue 343, 21 December 1897, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. RANK BILL. The Bank of New Zealand and Banking Bill was committed. Clause 1, board directors reconstituted, Mr Larnach moved that nine directors be struck out with the view of inserting five. Nine was struck out by 34 to 22. Mr Seddon moved to insert seven. Negatived by 29 to 28. Captain Russell moved that four be inserted. Negatived by 30 to 28. Mr Larnach moved to report progress. Negatived by 37 to 21. Mr Seddon moved to insert six. Carried by 33 to 18. Mr Meredith moved to report progress. Carried by 23 to 21. HOUOWHENUA. On the motion that the Horowhenua Block Act Amendment Bill be committed, the Hon. Mr Rolleston moved that Sir Walter Buller and Major Kemp be heard at the Bar of the House, by council, in connection with the Bill. He thought that the good sense of the House would decide in favor of the motion. Mr Seddon opposed it, but after debate Mr Rolleston’s motion was agreed to by 30 to 29. TECHNICAL SCHOOLS BILL. This bill was further considered in committee. Clause 2, interpretation amended by 29 to 20 by striking out of the interpretation of controlling authority of words “ or persons establishing and conducting any class under this act. Mr Meredith moved the addition of the following proviso to the clausa “ nothing in this paragraph shall apply to denominational schools. Negatived by 31 to 23.

Mr Smith said as the Premier would not give assurace that denominational schools would not be subsidised, he would move that the chairman leave the chair.

This was ultimately withdrawn. Mr Smith moved to amend the interpretation ftf controlling authority by condition of the following “ but shall not apply to controlling authority of any denominational school.

After lengthy debate, Mr Seddon moved to report progress. At 5.20 the Chairman left the chair till 10 a.m.

The House resumed at 10. Mr Seddon’s motion to report progress was negatived on the voices. The debate resumed on Mr Smith’s amendment.

Mr Seddon intimated that if the bill did npt get through he would make no effort to pass it next session. After further discussion the amendment was negatived by 30 to 19. Mr Tanner moved an amendment in the interpretation of controlling authority by the insertion of the words “ but does not include any controlling authority by the insertion of the words “ but does not include any controlling authority, which is at the same time exercising administrative control over any school in the colony in not receiving a grant of public money, and not endowned by acts of Parliament or a provincial ordinance.” Mr Seddon said that if the amendment was carried some of the best schools giving technical education would be debarred from so doing because they did not receive public money.

Mr Millar contended that the opposition to the measure was not on account of fear that under it subsidies could be granted to denominational schools, but on account of the objection to technical education. Mr Allen said Mr Tanner’s amendment brought a compromise on the subject nearer. Captain Russell ebaraotdrised the prooeedings as burlesque and said he had never seen anything more absurd than that which was taking place in connection with this Bill. He moved that progress be reported.