HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1911, 6 July 1888, Page 14

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. BEPLlfes TO QUESTIONS. Dr FITCHETT asked the Government whether they will have the price printed on railway tickets, and also whether they will make arrangements whereby tickets may be purchased at other places than railway stations. The Hon. E. MITCHELSON said the fares were always posted afc railway stations, and he saw no necessity, for making au alteration, but he would consider both matters. Mr PARATA asked th£ Minister of Marine what steps the Government intended to take with respect to the recentjease of illegal sealing at the Auckland Islands/ in view of the new evidence that has recently come to light. The Hon. G. FISHER said the Government were not neglecting the 'matter, but it wonld not be wise to state pabilicly what steps they we're taking. " *-')"" ; Mr BRUCE asked the .Premier whether the Government, with a vjewi to a wore equitable

adjustment of taxation, will consider the advisability of imposing an annual tax of £1 per head on all bachelors between the ages of 21 and 50, and whether they will take into consideration the advisability of making all bachelors now paving property tax liable to an additional contribution of one half-penny in the pound.

The Hon. Sir H. A. ATKINSON said he was obliged for the suggestion, but he did nofc intend imposing any tax of this nature at present. Mr DUNCAN asked the Premier if tho Government will introduce a bill to regulate the distillation of spirits within the colony, and if not, will the Government give facilities and assist, a private member in passing such a bill.

Tho Hon. Sir H. A. ATKINSON could not hold out any hope in this direction at present. Mr" KERR moved the adjournment of the House to enable the matter to be discussed.

Several members urged on the Government the desirability of considering thi3 matter during the recess, and others strongly opposed the proposal to establish distilleries.

The motion for adjournment was lost.

Mr FELDWICK asked the Minister for Marine if any negotiations have taken place between the Government of New Zealand and those of the Australian colonies in respect to the proposals to erect a lighthouse at the Aucklands at the joint cost of the oolonies, and if he will state the nature of the proposals submitted to him, and whether he has considered the necessity of placing a lighthouse on the Snares.

The Hon. G. FISHER said as soon as a reply wa6 received from the Australian Governments steps would be taken to have a lighthouse on one or other of those islands.

Mr FELDWICK asked the Minister of Marine if the Government have taken any step to bring the Macquarrie Islands under the jurisdiction of the oolony of New Zealand.

The Hon. G. FISHER said steps would be taken in this direction.

Dr HODGKINSON asked the Minister of Lands whether the Government wonld take into consideration the expediency of spending a reasonable sum of money in opening up n coach road from Mossburn to Manapouri and To Anau Lakes with a view to make those districts accessible and attractive to tourists and excursionists, and thereby reproductive.

The Hon. G. F. RICHARDSON said the Government were making inquiries in this matter.

Mr THOMPSON asked the Minister of Lands if the Government have any objection to have the whole of the State forests north of Auckland carefully valued by an expert during the recess.

The Hon. G. F. RICHARDSON said inquiries would be made with respect to valuing all State forests.

Mr HUTCHISON asked the Minister for Public Works whether the recent order prohibiting pedestrians a>-d the public from using the Government railway lines is intended to be relaxed in favour of certain private persons ; if so, whether the conditions may be made public.

The Hon. E. MITCHELSON said no fresh orders had been issued on this matter, but tha Government had no intention of relaxiug the rule in favour of private persons.

Mr FISH asked the Minister of Public Works if there is any truth in the rumour published in the Wellington Post that it is the intention of the Government to appoint Colonel Trimble (of Taranaki), Mr J. Wright (of AbDburton), and Mr Nicholls (of Dunedin), as commissioners on the proposed railway board, or any of them.

The Hon. E. MITCHELSON said there was no truth whatever in the statement.

Mr CAD MAN asked the Minister of Mines if it was bis intention to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor by delivering an annual statement upon the mining industry of the colony. Hon G. F. RICHARDSON said he did not intend making a statement, but full information would be laid on the table respecting the mines of the colony.

Mr WALKER asked the Minister of Lands whether, in consideration of the unaccountable break- out of scab in the North of the colony, and the apparent inability of the Sheep department to stifle the disease known as scab in the North or South Island, he is prepared to submit to the Rabbit or Stock Committee the question of the reorganisation of the Sheep department.

The Hon. G. F. RICHARDSON did not think there was occasion for any exceptional action in this case, 88 the outbreak was confined to only a small portion. At the same time, be should be glad to accept any suggestions from the Stock Committee.

Mr LANCE asked, without notice, whether the attention of the Minister of Lands had been drawn to the telegram in that day's paper where it was stated that Mr Justice Ward had quashed " the conviction of A. Watchmann, manager of the Hopeful station, who had been fined £50 by C. Whitefoord for not having made sufficient exertions to clear sheep from scab. There were 4000 sheep in the flock, but it was not shown that all were actually infected. The judge held that it must be shown that the sheep were actually and not merely technically scabby."

The Hon. G. F. RICHARDSON said he had noticed the judgment, and, if it were correct, it was clear some amendment of the Sheep Act was necessary.

PROTECTION OF ANIMALS. Mr LEVESTAM moved the second reading of the Animals Protection Act Amendment Bill, the object of which was to enable local bodies to fix a license feo for selling game at any sum not exceeding £5, as may be fixed by notification.

Mr TAYLOR asked whether the Government would endeavour to put a stop to private members bringing in bills of this kind, and said that last session no less than 16 private bills were dropped. Mr FULTON said he was informed that native game, especially ducks, were being slaughtered out of existence, and if the bill got into committee he should move an amendment in order to prevent this. Mr BRUCE agreed with the last speaker as to the destruction of native game that was now taking place, and thought some steps should be taken to put a stop to it.

Mr MACKENZIE (Clutha) thought the only way of stopping the slaughter of ' native birds would be by making those persons selling native game pay a license. They should do all in their power to protect native game.

Mr WALKER hoped more control would be given to local bodies over matters of this description, and with that view he should support the bill.

Mr HOBBS thought the bill a very desirable one. He supported the proposal respecting a license fee to be paid by persons selling native game.

Mr SAMUEL held that our indigenous birds should be protected even more than imported birds, but a measure of this kind should come from the Government.

Mr PRATT hoped the bill would not be made to apply to game on Native lands. The motion was agree to. IN COMWITTKB."' ,The House went into' 'committee on the licensing Comniitteea Election BiJJ. : Mr Fyi,TQF said there was a peat omJapioq

I

from the bill which the mover of it had introduced last year. Ho referred to the provision that ratepayers under the bill should be of either sex, and he held they should give the women of any district an opportunity of saying whether licenses should be increased or not. He moved that ratepayers should include all persons of either sex of 21 years and upwards. Mr Hobbs strongly supported the clause. The licensing question, however, should be taken in hand by the Government, and not by a private member. Mr Taylor supported the clause, and Dr Hodgkinson opposed it. Mr Duncan considered the amendment of the member for Taieri was simply meant to destroy the bill.

Sir John Hall had great pleasure in supporting the amendment. Mr Ste"WAßt was quite in accord with the amendment, and should support it if it were brought forward in another bill. If the amendment wore inserted in this bill it would mean that both would be defeated.

Mr Monk said if the amendment were not carried he hoped the House would allow those elections to be held as often as was asked for. He strongly supported the amendment. Mr Fulton disclaimed having any intention of defeating the bill by his amendment, which he had moved in the interests of temperance.

Mr W. P. Reeves (St. Albans) would vote for the amendment, although h« did not generally support what was called teetotal legislation.

Mr T. Mackenzie (Clutha) opposed the new clause.

Mr Samuel was totally opposed to women voting at electious, as he held it was doing an injury to them to expose themselves to the unpleasant influences which were experienced at elections. The member in charge of the bill might look on it as doomed if this amendment were inserted in it.

After further discussion, the new clause was read a second time by 35 to 27.

Mr Seddon asked whether the clause should be made to apply to married women only, as this was only a proper proviso.

Mr Steward said he thought an important clause of this kind should not have been moved without previous notice being given. He moved that progress be reported. — Lost by 45 to 22. Mr Steward 6aid he had voted against Mr Fulton'a clause although he had formerly embodied it in his bill, simply because he thought in a bill of this kind they should not attempt too much, and he felt sure that this new clause would endanger the passing of the bill.

Mr Seddon moved to amend the clause so as to make it apply to male persons and married women only. Mr Fish urged that the matter be postponed for further consideration.

The following are the reasons drawn up by the committee appointed by the Legislative Council for that Chamber insisting upon their amendments iv the Chinese Immigration Bill : —

The object of this bill and of the original act, the Jiltle of which was " An Act to Ilegulate the Immigration of Chinese," has not been vei bally formulated in the preamble to either ; but it ;e neverthe- ' less understood. A natural born or naturalised subject of her Majesty, clothed with rights and subject to the duties involved in the conditions, should not ha deprived, except upon sufficient cause, of the common privilege of taking his labour to the bo3t market. The allegation, which is the first of the reasons assigned, that natural born subjects of the Chinese race have all the characteristics which render them undesirable citizens in a European community is an allegation not capable of proot. The chief characteristics of a deßiiable citizen in any community are obedience to the law, peacefulness, industry, and thrift. The Chinese residents in this colony have exhibited these virtues in the highest degree. The reasons advanced for depriving Chinese ratepayers in local districts of the right to vote at elections of local bodies are " that they do not take intelligent interest in local affairs ; that from their Imbit of only settling in a community temporarily, they will not be mindful of the permanent welfare of the community : and that as they do not understand the institutions of the country, they may introduce into our local elections a diaturb'ng element." It is a fundamental principle of the constitution of free communities that there should bd no taxation without representation. It is a principle «t our legislation in the matter of local government that property, which bears the burden of rates, should be fairly represented in local elections. The Ohinesc, who are liable to be rated, are put upon the roll without exception or inquiry as to the fact of their naturalisation, and as being on the roll they can be compelled to pay the money for vihich they ate assessed, they should not be deprived of the privilege of a vote or the disposal of their votes. The average Chinaman, perhaps, is as capable of takiDg an intelligent interest in a road orbridge as the average Englishman. If the habit of only settling temporarily in a community be held sufficient to deprive a man of municipal rights, the general application of such a rule would, with our la'ge flouting population, be attended with iocom euience ; and it teems especially hard upon tho CiiinaniHn that as we impose a penalty upon him for coming to this colony we should punish him by civil disability because we suspect him of an intention at any future time to go away. The legal pr< cess of naturalisation, which is supposed to be inserted in all cases as a qualification for the exercise of a municipil right, is mechanical, the taking of an oath and the payment of a sum of money, and would no; necessarily endow a Chinaman with intelligence, or cure him of the habit of "only settling temporarily" in a community. It is to be noted in this connection, that whilst by " The Aliens Act Amendment Act 1832' the fee for enrolment of " le> teis of naturalisation " for other foreigners is reduced from £1 to 2s tirt, persons of the Chinese race are still required to pay the larger fee. The Government intend to ask the House to agree to a free conference with the Council to discuss the difficulties which have arisen between the two chambers. PORT CHALMERS FISHERMEN. In the discussion on the item " twine," Mr Mills spoke strongly in favour of admitting twine used by fishermen For nets free. The imposition of the duty would, he stated, inflict a great hardship on thr* L'ort Chalmers fishermen. WHEAT AND FLOUR. Mr Seddon this afternoon ma.i)f tbo startling statement that on the West Costs';, Hour ground in Victoria from New Zealand wheat is sold at a much lower rate blian fljur ground hi New Zealand. He cited this in order to illustrate the monopolising action of the New Zealand millers. They paid the farmer the lowest possible price for his wheat, and made the consumer pay through the nose for the flour. BARBED WIRE. Mr J. Mills intends to bring jn a short bill providing that barbed wire shall be recognised as a legal fencing wire under the existing act. At present, the act provides that dividing fences shall contain no less than seven wires, no mention being made of the barbed article. EAIR RENT BILL. The Waste Lands Committee, this forenoon, subjected the Premier's Fair Rent Bill to some rough handling. By a majority of seven to three the operation of the bill was made to apply only to lands held direct from the Crown, and was limited to the sitting of one commission only, whose decision should be final ; that is to say, instead of continuous relief to tenants being available under the bill, there should be only one lowering of rentals by the committee, after which the act would cease to have effect uutil revived by fresh legislation. FREETRADE CAUCUS. A meeting; of Freetraders was held this morning, Mr Beetham in the chair ; 20 present. It was agreed that no amendments should be moved, upon the third reading of the Tariff pilj.