Thursday, August 29. BILLS DEALT WITH.

Otago Witness, Issue 972, 5 September 1889, Page 14

Thursday, August 29. BILLS DEALT WITH.

In the Legislative Council,

The Hon. E. C. J. STEVENS moved— "That the clause sent down by the Governor in substitution of clause 3 in the Public Reserves Act Amendment Bill be agreed to." The new clause provided that the Governor might exchange with any person or body, politic or corporate, any portion, of any public reserve in clauses 1, 2, and 3 for any other land contiguous thereto which the Governor shall deem of equal value therewith and more suitable for the purposes of the reserve.

The Hon. Dr POLLEN hoped the clause would not ba agreed to, and he could not help but think that there was something behind it unknown to the Council. He would not say the hon. gentleman iv charge of the bill was aware of anything, but he firmly believed the clauses were inserted for a special purpose not generally known.

The Council divided, and the new clauses were agreed to by 19 to 12.

The following new subsection was agreed to in the Triennial Licensing Committees Bill : — " Every vacancy created by such removal shall be an extraordinary vacancy, and the Governor shall appoint some other person to fill such vacancy, who shall. hold office only until nexb election."

In moving the second reading of the Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment Act Continuance Bill, the Hon. Sir F. WHITAKBR said that a lot of negotiations had taken place between the Imperial Government and the Chinese Government, but nothing definite had been arrived at. The objeot of the present bill was to make the bill of 1883 a permanent measure instead of a temporary one, that was limiting the number to one Chinese for every 100 tons.

The Hon. Dr POLLEN would not object to the second reading, but in committee he would move that the restriction be limited for another year. The Council divided— ayes, 16; noes, 10. The bill was read a second time. The House met at 2.30 p.m., Mr Hamiin taking the chair iv the Speaker's absence.

Mr FfiLDWICK asked the Postmastergeneral if he would amend the postal regulations so as to allow valuation and rate notices of local bodies to pass through the post iv open envelopes as circulars at a halfpenny rate. The Hon. Sir H. A. ATKINSON said he would look into the matter.

Mr THOMPSON asked the Premier if it is the intention of the Government to introduce a bill early next session dealing with fcha question of an income tax.

The Hou. Sir H. A. ATKINSON said the Government had given the matter uorae consideration, and it would be further inquired into during the recess.

Mr REEVES (Inangahua) asked the Commissioner of Oustoma if He will give instructions to _ the Customs department thac "plush" or imitation sealskin used by miners for the purpose of gold saving be admitted free of duty. The Hon. Sir H. A. ATKINSON said he could not admit this 'article free; because it was dearly dutiable, and was used for a large number of other purposes.

Mr SEDDON asSed the Premier if he will during the recess make careful inquiry into the working of the Beer Duties Act with a view of amending its provisions so as to prevent il harassing brewers and publicans, and also with a

view to its possible abolishment at an early date.

The Hon. Sir H. A. ATKINSON said as far as he was aware there was less friction over this tax than almost any. other. The difficulty was that people who professed to know nothing about the law evaded the law deliberately. He should, however, be glad to look into the matter, and if there were any special oases that required adjustment, he should afford some remedy. As to repealing the tax, he thought that was not at all likely for some years, in fact it was more likely to be increased.

TRUST FUKDS,

Mr MACARTHUR moved that the following report of Public Accounts Committee be adopted by the House — "That the power of investing the monies belonging to the Post Office Savings Bank shall be placed in the bands of a. board, and that the Government be requested to bring in a bill this session to give effect to this resolution."

The Hon. Sir H. A. ATKINSON said he had agreed to this report as it would relieve him as treasurer of considerable responsibility. There were some members of the committee who thought they could effect a great reform in matters of this kind, and although he saw no great harm likely to result from the board he thought it would not accomplish the objects claimed for it. He had given some consideration to the question of appointing a board, and had come to fche conclusion that it would be difficult to get a satisfactory board without paying a high price for it. However, if the House agreed to the resolution he should prepare a bill to give effect to it.

Mr BARRON could not understand how old members of the House could advocate any course that would lessen the control of Parliament over the public funds. The resolution was not unanimously arrived at by the Public Accounts Committes, and he for one did not agree with it. He should vete Against the motion, and he submitted that at this late stage of the session it would be a wise step to proceed no further with it till next session, when it could receive fuller consideration than it had up to the present time.

Mr MACARTHUR, as chairman of the committee, said he was perfectly indifferent as to the constitution of tho board. He had at one time considered it would effect much good, but since going into the question on the Public Accounts Committee he had come to the conclusion that it would do some harm. He should not vote for the motion, neither would he vote against it.

The motion was then put and carried by 34 to 24.

Mr PERCEVAL then moved the following resolution passed by the Public Accounts Committee: — "That no loan should be made out of trust funds, Post Office Savings Bank funds, or public debt sinking funds upon any other than securities of the colony of New Zealand or other Government securities, or by way of loan under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, or upon bank deposits securities; and that there shall always be at least one-third of the amount to the credit of the Post Office Savings Bank account invested in New Zealand Government securities, the interest on which, is payable in London, and that such securities be deposited in London, to be used in case of any* possible financial emergency in the colony." He considered this resolution much more important than the previous one, and he hoped it would be adopted by the, House. Mr REEVES (St. Albans) resumed the discussion, and Mr PERCEVAL having replied, the motion was agreed to by 38 to 31. PUBLIC WOBKS. The House went into committee on the Public Works Acts Amendment Bill.

Clause 3, particulars to be inserted in claim for compensation.

Mr DUNCAN moved that this clause be struck out. Lost on the voices. Clause 5, claimant not to recover for matters not particularised in his claim. — Struck out.

Clause 7, liability of local authority over road, &c. to continue notwithstanding alteration, &o. to road, elicited a lengthy discussion, and was struck out on the voices.

The Hon. E. MITCHELSON moved to report progress, which was agreed to. The House rose at 11 15 p.m. INVESTMENT OF TRUST FUNDS.

Most of the afternoon has been occupied with a discussion on the report of the Public Accounts Committee in connection with the control of the investment of trust funds, and like all financial discussions, the proceedings have been very uninteresting. Some sensation was imported into the discussion, however, in consequence of the attitude assumed by the Colonial Secretary — an attitude peculiar to himself towards his fellow members. Iv the course of his remarks on the question before the House, Dr Newman referred in rather stinging terms to the advances made by the colony to harbour boards, and the Colonial Secretary divining some allusion to Oamaru, set out to give the little doctor a smart dressing down. There were some expressions of resentment at the tone < f Mr Hislop's remarks, and when he sat down 'ur Turnbull proceeded to give the Colonial Secretary a piece of his mind. After referring to the tone of Mr Hislop's speech, he advised him to adopt a more conciliatory course with members. " When the hon. gentleman has been a little longer in the House, sir, he may perhaps come to find that it will be better for him if he can be a little more courteous to hon. members. If he does not improve he will find that the House will refuse to transact any Government business with which he is connected." There was some cheering at this, and it is to be hoped the Colonial Secretary will lay the advice of the member for Timaru to heart.

PETITIONS.

A petition was preseuted to-day by Mr Allen from the lecturers and students of the Otago School of Mine?, praying that reductions in railway fares be granted to them when travelling to and from mining centres for the furtherance of their studies.

As the leases of the Eweburn run do not expire until the year 1893, the Waste Lands Committee have no recommendation to make on the petition of G. A. Chapman and other settlers of the Eweburn district, Ofcago, who prayed that the Eweburn run east and 6onth of the Eweburn creek might be opened up for settlement.

COST OF RAISING LOANS.

A return presented to-day shows the costs and expenses of raising each of the last six New Zealand loans as follows : — Loan of 1879 (£5,000,000) : Charges and expenses, £210,749. Loan of 1882 : First million, charges, &0., £29,625 ; second million, charges, &c , £13,518 ; third million, £21,229. Loan of 1884 (£1.500,000): Charges, £21,951. Loan of 1886 (£1,325,000): Charges, £59,447.

A COMPRBBENSIVE RETURN.

Mr Anderson has given notice to move for a return setting forth the total cost of the expedition to the West Coast, under charge of the Chief Surveyor of Otago in September 1888, the return to set forth explicitly in detail the-total salaries and wages paid, also travelling allowance to each person and the number of persons employed ; also cost of camp equipage, including all sums paid for tents, tools, previsions, &c.,

the steamboat fares paid, and. a return of the amount of work performed. ■ <

AN EXHAUSTIVE DISCUSSION.

As might have been expected, the discussion | on the motion for the adoption of the report of the Public Accounts Committee with reference to the investment of trust funds has been of an exhaustive and searching character — far too searching, indeed, to be appreciated by members representing harbour districts. - Asamatter of fact, the debate has been directed at the affairs of the Oamara Harbour Board 1 and the New Plymouth Harbour Board, although only- by implication, and Messrs Hislop and Samuel have been on thorns since about half-past 4 this afternoon. ' The Colonial SeeretaryJbad the good sense to decline to weat any caps that were offered to him, but Mr Samuel was not so discreet, and screeched atf the House for about half an hour on the monstrous character of the proposal under consideration. Mr Perceval, who moved* the adoption of tb^e .report, made" a capital speech in reply — a speech which gave evidence of a thorough knowledge of his subject, and which left the impression' that he was thoroughly in earnest in his demands. Several members of the Public Accounts Committee, who agreed to the resolution?, have since changed,their minds, and this evening both spoke and voted against the motion on • the ground that' it was very doubtful whether the proposed change was a. desirable one, especially after the Premier's declaration that it did not concern the Government either way, and that he could only regard the proposal as relieving him of a great responsibility. After about three hours' discussion the motion for tho adoption of the report was carried by a majority of seven. The Government voted against the motion.

FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE.

A good deal of interest is being manifested in the position of the clauses in the Fire and Marine Insurance Companies Bill inserted on the motions respectively of Sir John Hall and Mr Downie Stewart, and rejected by the Legislative Council. Sir J. Hall's clause is in the direction of allowing farmers' co-operative associations to effect insurances on property of their own shareholders, and Mr Downie Stewart's clause provides for a uniformity of conditions of policies. The following is the report of the committee appointed to draw up reasons for insisting upon the amendment made in the direction above indicated : — "Sir J. Hall's clauses : (1) Clause 8 is desired by a large number of persons chiefly engaged in agriculture, aid who have established and are carrying on with marked success co-operative associations for obtaining supplies of goods for theirown use and for the disposal of their prod ace. (2) There is every reason to believe that by the establishment of associations on similar principles for insuring the property of its own shareholders it could be insured with safety on more • reasonable terms than the •, owners are now compelled to pay. (3) As the shares in such an association would be held by a large number of persons, each of ■whom would be affected by any loss incurred by the association, and more effective , supervision could be obtained over risks by the association, as well as fuller information in the cases of loss sustained by fire, in this way the risk of loss and the rates of premiums could be reduced. (4) The amount of paid up capital objected to , by the Council is larger in proportion to the business likely to be done by co-operative associations such aa are now contemplated, than is the capital which under the provisions of the bill would entitle to registration with limited liability insurance companies effecting insurances for the public generally, and whose operations exceed in many cases not only throughout New Zealand but to the adjoining colonies. (5) In reference to the objection that shares of almost any nominal amount might be issued to qualify persons for insurance as shareholders, the House will consider favourably any proposal for providing against such possible abuse, if the Council should consider such provision necessary. Reasons for insisting upon Mr D. Stewart's amendments with reference to clause 9. — There ought to be substantial uniformity in the conditions subject to which the several companies carrying on business in the colony issue policies. Many of the conditions are of an unsuitable and one-sided description. Some of the conditions are so ambiguously expressed as to enable companies to force compromises to the disadvantage of the assured; such ambiguity leads to disputes, litigation, and undesirable delays. Few persons became acquainted with the conditions of policies until some time after the insurance has been effected, the practice being to issue an interim receipt only."

THE MACANDREW LAND GRANT.

The projected interview with the Premier arranged by Messrs Larnach and Mills on the subject of the proposed grant of land to the Macandrew family did not take place to-day.

THE BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.:g A meeting of the Bible-in-schools party was held to-day. There were present Messrs Tanner, Buxton, Anderson, Cowan, Fulton, Hodgkinson, T. Mackenzie, Dowuie Stewart, and others. Mr Fulton was in the chair. It was decided that Mr Tanner should take the matter in band with a view to introducing legislation next session.