THURSDAY, JULY 3.

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 10 July 1890, Page 17

THURSDAY, JULY 3.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. A CALL OF THE COUNCIL.

The Hon. Sir G. S. WHITMORE, by leave, withdrew his motion for the second reading the reform in the Legislative Council untiT the Council " called over" next week. The adjourned debate on the question that the Council be " called over " on the Bth July was resumed by the Hon. G. M'LEAN, who suggested that the Council be oalled on the 10th July. — The amendment was made, and the motion as amended was agreed to. BILLS DEALT WITH. The Arbitration Bill was moved into corn* mitfcee. Clause 15, empowering appointments in certain cases of reform, was struck out of progress reported, with leave to sit again on Tuesday. The Council went into committee on the Oaths Bill. Clause 2, dealing with witnesses in oourcs of law making affirmations instead of oaths, was postponed, as also was the next clause ; and progress was reported, with leave to sit again on Tuesday. The Hon. Sir F. WHITAKER, in moving the second reading of the Children's Protection Bill, referred particularly to clause 5, dealing as it did with the employment of children under certain conditions. He did not think the evils referred to existed in the colony, but it would be well to prevent their introduction by passing the bill. The second reading was agreed to, and the bill referred to a Select Committee. The Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Bill— having for its object the punishment of persons attempting to bribe officers of public bodieswas read a second time, on the motion of the Hon. Sir F. WHI TAKER, and ordered to be committed on Tuesday. The Hon. E. 0. J. STEVENS moved the second reading of the Eduoational Reserves Leasing Bill. — Agreed to. The Hon. E. C. J. STEVENS, in moving the second reading of the Industrial Schools Act Amendment Bill, explained that the chief provision was that any girl under 17 found in the company of a questionable character was liable to be sent to the school for a teim, during which, if her conducted warranted it, she might be placed out at service, where, if she transgressed, she was liable to be sent back to the school .till 21 years of age. The power sought to be obtained was admittedly very great, but so also were the evils sought to be eradicated. He concluded by remarking that it was seldom the clause referred to would have to be exercised. The Hon. Dr POLLEN objected to the clause as an interference, not only with the rights and liberty of the subject, but also as involving questions both social and financial. He moved the adjournment of the debate till next day. This was agreed to, and the Counoil rose at 4.20 p.m. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. The financial debate has dragged somewhat to-day. Messrs Rhodes, Blake, Allen, and Walker, took up the afternoon sitting, and in' the evening Mr Walker continued his speech, and was followed by Messrs Marchant, Ward, and T. Mackenzie. Mr Verrall was to have spoken next, and to have been followed by Mr Beetham, but he instead moved the adjourn* menfc of the debate at 11.20 p.m. NEW BILLS. No fewer than 22 notices to introduce newj bills have been tabled, and appear in to-day's; order paper. They include seven Government! measures fathered by Mr Fergus and a like! number by Captain Russell, two by Mr Downie 1 Stewart, and one each by Sir G. Grey, Messrs R.; Reeves, Pyke, Perceval, Guinness, and Feld-, wick. There are also 21 bills on the paper! either for second reading or committal. Only; the Registration of Electors and Todman Land Grant Bill are down for committal, all the other! 19 having still to pass their second stage. ! THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. ; There is a good deal of talk to-day about the' strong statements made by Mr Hutchison in his 1 speech yesterday respecting the relations; between the Government and the Bank of NewZealand, including the assertion very positively! made that the Government cabled instructions' to the Agent-general to take certain steps toj bolster up the Bank of New Zealand. Some! members talk of moving for a committee to investigate the truth of this assertion, Ministers declare that there is no foundation at all for, Mr Hutchison's allegations. MR BRYCE. | Mr Bryce's speech has also evoked a good deal j of comment. His extremely "candid friend" style was no surprise to the Government, but, seems to have greatly gladdened the hearts of I their opponents, who are beginning to speak of j him as a possible future leader of a new coalition party. ' PENSIONING THE PREMIER. There seems to be a growing feeling among' a certain section of the House that Sir Harry Atkinson should be offered the option of retiring on a handsome pension, a thousand a year being the sum currently mentioned. In this connection it is contended that the present state' of affairs is unfair and inconvenient alike to Sir Harry and to the House, and that it would be much better if a reconstruction were to be carried out as originally contemplated. On the other hand, a majority of the Ministerial party favour the retention of the Premiers Lip by Sir Harry Atkinson, if only for his advice and prestige. They regard the movement in favour of a £1000 pension as a desire originating in the mortification of the Opposition that^ the Ministerial caucus passed off so harmoniously and unanimously when dissensions and secessions were looked for. Some, indeed, believe that Sir Harry's total retirement might be absolutely fatal to him, as leading him to cease' any struggle against his illness, and to feel that his career was over, his work done, and himself finally shelved, leaving him little to live for. This idea was largely prevalent among those who were present at the caucus. They considered that after the manner in which the case was placed before them by Sir Harry Atkinson,' they had really no alternative but -to accept his offer to remain Premier without active duties, and that they could not do otherwise, although some entertained grave doubts how such a novel arrangement would answer in practice. I have reason to believe that a member will shortly test the feeling of the House on the question of voting a life pension to the Premier. It is quite certain that there would be a substantial majority in favour of such a course, provided it were known to be acceptable to the Premier himself. THE PRIMAGE DUTY. When the House met this afternoon Mr Fish caused a good deal of merriment by presenting a petition from John Hamann, of Dunedin, claiming to be the true inventor of the primage duty, and demandiug a reward for having suggested to Government the imposition of this duty. The general reflection seemed to be, " Don't he wish he may get it ! " THE TOTALISATOR. Mr Perceval's Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill places trotting clubs on the

Bame footing.as jockey clubs in respect of permisßioa to use the totalisator. The proposal is that all applications for permission to use the totalisator in connection with trotting should be referred to the New Zealand Trotting Association before being decided, and that a smaller amount of added money shall be required than would be the case with regard to race meetings . of the ordinary type. THE CENSUS. The object of the Census Act Amendment Bill ia to enable any date not later than the 30th April next to be fixed for taking the census instead of Ist April, while the amended schedule of returns is provided in accordance with the re* commendation of the Hobart Statistical Conference, omitting various items which have not been found usual in the past. THE MINISTER FOR LANDS. I regret to hear that the Hon. G. F. Richardson, Minister for Lands, is very ill to-day, the severe cold which so severely hampered him in his reply to Mr Ballance on Tuesday having grown steadily worse and threatening to develop into the dreaded " la grippe." REVALUATION OF LANDS. I mentioned a day or two ago that Mr Valentine presented a petition from David Gardiner, of Gore, a cash purchaser of Crown lands, praying for a refund in consequence ef the excessive price paid for his land and the subsequent low revaluation made of the adjoining sections. It is not likely, however, in Mr Valentine's opinion, that anything will be done in cases like these, as it is well known the Crown never, if it can help it, disgorges any revenue once received into the Treasury. Tito petition came before the Public Petition* Couisnittee today and was considered, but thu committee came to the conclusion that it ought to have gone to the Waste Lands Committee, and referred it there accordingly. BEETROOT SUGAR. In consequence of the interest shown in Otago upon the subject of the Jproduction of beetroot sugar and the great benefits which the establishment of auch an industry would confer upon the farmers of the colony, Mr Valentine is asking the Government if they will, during the present session, bring in a bill amending "The Beetroot Sugar Act 1884" so as to extend the period during which protection is given to sugar locally produced from beetroot or sorghum grown in the colony. NOTICES. The Supreme Court Bill introduced by the Minister of Justice provides permanently for the appointment of six judges. A STRONG RESOLUTION. The following is the resolution which Mr Moss will move on going into Committee of Supply:— (l) Tha*t a material reduction in the cost of governing the country is imperative; (2) that Ministers hava in the Financial Statement declared a further reduction to be impracticable, as they are unable to face the dissatisfaction that would ensue; (3) that the House has formally agreed with Ministers ia this opinion ; (4) that it is therefore desirable that the Leg filature should call to its aid properly constituted local governing bodies endowed with sufficient powers to make themselves reliant in finance, able to take the responsibility for all local work in their respective districts, and to effect all needful reductions in the cost thereof, leaving the Assembly at liberty to deal with expenditure for purposes concerning the whole colony ; (5) that the condition of the country requires the immediate creation of suoh local governingbodies, and that the general election should takej place at the earliest possible date to enable the' people to express their will, and the new Parliament to give that will effeot without delay.