HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2004, 21 July 1892, Page 16

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

In the House the day was mainly taken up with a discussion on the management of the Railway Commissioners, which arose out of a reply received from them on the subject of special concessions to workmen going to and from work. This being deemed unsatisfactory, Mr O'Conor moved the adjournment of the House. A brief unfinished discussion on the question of allowing settlers under the homestead system to acquire the freehold of their sections occupied the remainder of the sitting. In the evening a considerable amount of business was transacted. A bill dealing with road board_ elections, a Fisheries Conservation Bill, making it an offence to catch or sell flounders under a certain size, the Eight Hours Bill, and a bill giving local bodies power to regulate traffic on bridges, ferries, &c., were all read a second time. The Oyster Fisheries Bill — which is not to npply to the South Island — passed through committee, and over 90 clauses of the Bankruptcy Bill were passed before an adjournment was taken. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Enrnshaw, The Hon. R. J. SEDDON said the Railway Commissioneis had informed him it was not true that the prison discipline known as the "silent system" was carried on at the Hillside railway shops by the manager. Replying to Mr G. Hutchison, The Hou. J. M'KENZIE said ho could not undertake to send an officer to the West Coa<-fc of the North Island to analyse the soil in tho various districts, on account of the expense ; but if the hon. gentleman would undertake! to have the said soil packed up and sent to Wellington, ho would pay the expense of carriage and have it analysed. Replying to Mr M'Guire, whether Engli.su capitalists who lent money comprised in tho North Island Trunk railway loan have any security that the money so lent should be expended upon the said railway, The Hon. Mr BALLANCE said the North Island Trunk railway loan was earmarked, but there was no specified engagement with the English creditors. Replying to Mr O'Conor, whether the Governrqent will take steps to provide employes' trains to and from the principal contres of employment to carry working people to and from their work morning and evening at prices not exceeding 2d for five miles, 4d for 10 miles, and 6d for 15 miles, including returns, The Hon. Mr SEDDON said the reply of the Railway Commissioners was to the effect that they could not undertake to run special working men's trains at those prices without incurring a loss. Mr O'CONOR moved the adjournment of the House, as this was a very important matter. He said he considered the reply of the commissioners most unsatisfactory. The Hon. Mr SEDDON agreed that the reply was not satisfactory, in fact the commissioners were almost imx>ertiuent. He thought special facilities might with great advantage be given to working men living out of towns, especially in places like Christchurch and Auckland. He had no doubt that the fact of the matter having been discussed would induce the commissioners to consider it further. A lengthy discussion ensued, during which Mr DUTHIE deprecated the Minister for Public Works taking every opportunity to attack the Railway Commissioners, who had responsible duties to perform. Mr HARKNESS defended the Railway Commissioners, and said if they did forward curt replies they only followed the example of Ministers, who never gave a straightforward answer to the Opposition side of the House. Mr O'CONOR had never been one to join iv abuse of these gentlemen, but he wished to keep them in their places. The question he had asked was of great public interest to a large number of working people, and the commissioners should have answered it in a broader way. The Government should see that facilities were given to working men to have free access by railway to their employment, in order to save them from the necessity of living in the congested towns of the colony. The motion for the adjournment was lost. NEW BILLS. The following bills were introduced : — Native Land (Validation of Titles) Bill, Education Reserves Act Amendment Bill, Bill to Amend " The Licensing Act 1881," Coal Mines Acquisition Bill, Civil Service Officers' Guarantee Bill. - FREEHOLD TrNURE. Mr WILSON moved— " That it is desirable that the homestead association regulations be amended so as to provide that those taking up land under that system shall (1) have the right ot taking up their land under freehold tenure if they prefer so to do ; (2) that settlers under this system may have four years before the residence clause shall be enforced." The Hon. J. M'KENZIE suggested that this motion should be moved when the Land Bill was under discussion. Mr WILSON said that bill would be dealt with on party lines, and in consequence of that he preferred moving it at the present time, as it was of great interest to the whole of the North Island. The Hon. J. M'KENZIE regretted very much that Mr Wilson had not taken his advice over this motion, as the few minutes at their disposal before tho dinner adjournment was not sufficient to discuss such an important question. He was speaking at the 5.30 adjournment.

ROAD BOARD ELECTIONS. Mr WRIGHT moved the second reading of the Road Boards Act 1882 Amendment Bill. He said it was brought in to prevent abuses which had crept in. The fourth clause of the bill gave power to the returning officer at a road board election to put the following question to an. elector : — "Do you bonafide possess the qualification plased opposite your name on the valuation roll of this district ? " Any person not answering this question in the affirmative should not be allowed to vote. A penalty for making a false claim to vote was also provided, and on conviction iv this respect persons would be liable to a fine of not loss than L 2, or more than L2O. It was provided in the sixth clause that new road districts could be constituted on old lines. Mr TAYLOR supported the bill. Mr W. C. SMITH pointed out that the bill would not have the effect tho mover intended — namely, preventing people from voting who were not entitled to voto. As for the last clause, that was law at the present time. He did not consider this an amending act at all. The Hon. J. M'KENZIE "sympathised with the objects of tho bill. The motion for the second reading was agreed to after debate, and the bill referred to a committee. EIGHT HOUKS HILL. Mr W. HUTCHISON (Dunedin) moved the second reading of the Eight Hours Bill to define the hours of labour within the colony. Clause 7- provided that no child under 13 years of age shall be employed for hire, and no person under 16 years of age shall be required to work more than five hours a day. This clause he was sorry to say he was afraid he should have to part with, as he was advised that it was in advauce of the time, and would not be acceptable. He spoke at some length of the necessity for affirming tho eight-hour principle, and said six hours would ere long be a working day. Mr TAYLOR regarded this bill as an abortion on account of its containing so many exemptions. Mr T. MACKENZIE (Clutha) disagreed with several clauses of the bill, and thought it absurd to provide that boys of 16 should not work more than five hours a day, as this would simply increase the number of larrikins in the streets. He should vote for the second reading of the bill, and try to amend it in committee. Mr DUTHIE pointed out that the general principle of eight hours a day had been recognised in the colony for 30 or 40 years past, and the bill was only putting on the Statute Book a sentiment that was already in existence. However, he did not object to the only new principle in this bill, which was to provide that domestic servants shall be entitled to a weekly half holiday. Captain RUSSELI? agreed with Mr Taylor that the bill would be abortive, and thought it contained absolutely nothing at nil. Let them introduce a bill providing that eight hours should be a day's work, but to pay that factories, domestic servants, and farm labourers could be brought under a bill like this was absurd. It would be impossible for farmers in the country to avoid breaking the law if this bill passed. Mr KELLY (Bast Coast) would vote for tho second reading of tho bill, but strongly objected to tho clause providing that boys of 16 should not work more than five hours a day. He himself had boys employed in a flax mill, and if this clause were given effect to the mill would have to shut up. The motion was agreed to. PUBLIC WORKS. Mr BUCKLAND moved the second reading of the Public Works Act Amendment Bill, to empower local authorities in whom a bridge, ferry, and ford is vested to make bye-laws for the regulation of traffic. The Hon. Mr SEDDON seconded the motion and said he should prefer the hon. member to make this a workable bill. The motion was agreed to. THE ELECTORAL BILL. Much comment has been excited by the curious spectacle presented in tho small hours of this morning by two membei s of the Ministry going into the Opposition lobby on a vital clause iv one of the chief Ministerial measures of the session — viz., on the question of retaining the freehold qualification in the Electoral Bill. It was noticed that while this question was being hotly debated Mr Seddon sat silent, while Mr W. P. Reeves spoke" dead against the clause ; but when those Ministers actually voted against the Government in the division on the clause the general surprise reached its climax. Opinions are divided as to whether there is really a division in the Cabinet on this subject, or whether tho action of Ministers was intended as a stroke of political strategy. The prevalent opinion, however, is that Ministers have wrangled over the point, and ultimately had to agree that each should take hie own course. The Premier himself has notoriously vacillated between the two views, having at one time declared the Government would retain the freehold qualification, and at another time that it would be abandoned. Just before the Electoral Bill same clown, it was freely stated by prominent members of the Ministerial party that tho Government even intended to make the freehold qualification iv Ministerial question, and would accept as a casics belli the passing by the Council of a motion to reinstate it. The Government wero going to take their stand on the rcsideutial qualification pure and simple, to the exclusion of all others ; nevertheless, the Premier brought in the bill with the freehold suffrage retained, and now two of his colleagues vote against it. In political circles the prevalent feeling is that the Government should have avoided the scandal of thus publishing to the world the serious dissensions implied by this morning's division ; and that if Messrs Seddon and Reeves could not conscientiously support a measure agreed upon by the Government as one of vital import, then they should no longer have remained members of a Ministry from which they differed on a vital point of policy. MISCELLANEOUS. More huge petitions in favour of female franchise were presented to the Legislative Council to-day by the Hon. R. Oliver. They bear over 18,000 signatures. The following items are taken from a return showing the details of the amounts expended during the year 1891-92 : — Under the Colonial Secretary's Vote ; Miscellaneous as general contingencies — Night watchman and extra gas engineer, L 1193 ; cleaning offices, LlB2 ; travelling allowances of Ministers, L 90 2; travelling expenses of Ministers, L 1024 ; allowances to Postmaster-general attending the Sydney conference, Ll5O ; expenses in connection with the i residency at Raratonga, L 10;1 0; expenses in connection with the hamper of game presented to her Majesty, L 22 ; flags for Governnisnt House, Ll4; passages of Sir F. D. Bell and family, London to Wellington, L 305 ; passage of labour delegates to the Labour Conference at Dunedin, L 29 ; subscriptions to newspapers, LlO4 ; special train on the departure of the Governor, L 35 ; telegrams and cablegrams, L 2334.

Two measures of great interest to the farming community came on for the second reading this

afternoon — namely, the Manure Adulteration Prevention Bill and the Noxious Weeds Bill — both fathered by Mr Thomas Mackenzie, who explained to the House that as the Minister for Lands has undertaken to push through the bills this session, carrying out practically what the farmers rcquiie, he would help the Minister to bring into force tho legislation so urgently required by giving way to the Minister. Thus Mr Mackenzie, although losing the credit of carrying the reforms himself, succeeds in ensuring their becoming law probably at an earlier date. THURSDAY, JULY 14. LEGILLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m.** BILLS PASSED. The Courts of Justice Technical Defects Removal Bill passed its final stages. The Libel Bill was further considered in committee. The schedule was agreed to, and the bill reported without amendment, read a third timo, and passed on. INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS. On tho motion for the committal of the Institute of Surveyors Bill The Hon. Mr SHRIMSKI objected to tho bill on the ground that there were too many of these incorporated societies without any good resulting to the public, and he feared that the only result would be that people would have to pay more for surveys if thu bill passed. The Hon. Mr STEVENS objected to clause 11, which provides for a register of surveyors being kept by the Surveyor-general. The Hon. Mr, SCOTLAND opposed the bill, expressing a hope that it would be mangled out of all shape in committee, or that it would be rejected in another place. The Council divided on the motion. For committal — Ayes 16, noes- 5. The bill was committed, and slight verbal amendments made. On clauso 5 (qualification* of membership), The Hou. Mr STEVENS said the institutes might become a kind of trade union, therefore he considered the clause should be amended. Progress was reported with leave to sit again to-morrow. The Settlers Act Amendment Bill was referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Council at 3.35 adjourned. Iv the House of Representatives tho afternoon was to a large extent devoted to a discussion on the attitude of the Premier iv refusing to disclose his intentions with respect to the double taxation on debentures. Two local bills were read a second time. At the evening sitting an attempt was made to bring on the motion to expunge the vote of censure on Mr Bryce and others, but as an objection was raised tho attempt was not successful. The Oyster Fisheries Bill was passed, and the Re gistration of Births Bill was read a second time. The Electoral Bill was then considered in committee. HOUSE OF RFPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Leave of absence for a fortnight was granted to Sir George Grey on account of illhealth. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Fish, The lion. R. J. SEDDON said the department had found that there was no truth in the statement that a number of men were sent up country iv the North Island to perform certain work there under the co-operative system, and that upon arrival there they found there was no work to do, and that after hanging about for a fortnight they returned to Wellington and demanded payment for their loss of time. Replying to Mr Fish, The Hon. Mr SEDDON said it was not true that a Minister or any of his officials promised the men, if they kept quiet, they would be paid. QUESTICNS RESUMED. Replying to Mr Palmer, The Hon. W. P. REEVES said he saw no hope of bringing in a bill this session to assist all public libraries in the colony. Replying to Mr Swan as to what steps have been taken to further the fruit-growing industry during the recess, and what is proposed to be done in future for this important industry, The Hon. J. M'KENZIE said a fruit expert had been appointed who had travelled through the colony, and had lectured in various parts of it. The Government were using every effort to forward the industry. BILLS. The Wanganui Hospital Board Vesting Bill, and the Wellington City Sanitation Loan Empowering Bill were read a second time The debate on the motion for the second reading of the Wairarapa Hospital District Bill was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. FIRST READING. The Courts of Justice Defects Bill and Libel Bill were received from the Legislative Council and read the first time. IN COMMITTEE. The Registration of Births and Deaths Amendment Bill and Westland and Grey Education Boards Bill were passed through committee without amendment. THE ELECTOR \L BILL. The Electoral Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 6, qualification of electors. Mr BUCKLAND moved — "That residence in a district to enable a person to be placed on the roll be fixed at six months instead of one month." The Hon. Mr BALLANCE said ho would agree to the insertion of the word "three" instead of "one," but he could not agree to the tsmet s me being fixed at six months. AEter some discussion the Premier's offer was accepted by the House. Mr T. MACKENZIE (Clutha) moved a new subsection to the effect that no person be permitted to vote for more than one candidate. The Hon. Mr BALLANCE thought this subsection was out of place at present, and hoped it would bo withdrawn. Eventually leave was given to Mr Mackenzie to withdraw the amendment. The Hon. Mr BALLANCE moved in clause 8, relating tp qualification of Maoris to vote, that a Maori possessed of freehold qualification may be registered under the act, but in such case he shall not be entitled to vote for the election of Maori members. He said he had moved this in order to abolish the dual vote for Maoris. Several members opposed the amendment. The Hon. Mr ROLLESTON hoped it would not be agreed to, and pointed out that there might be 1500 M-ioris in the South Island who would take advantage of this, and they would therefore have double representation. He had not quite mado up his mind whether tho special Maori representation should be done away with. That would no doubt come, but he hoped the native members would not support this amendment. Mr CARROLL denied that Maoris would swamp the roils fo long as they kad special representation. He thought this was an important step, as being in the direction of bringing the two races together, as ho had always advocated. A lengthy discussion ensued. | The Premier's amendment was finally carried i by 33 to 12.

Clause 8, aliens, public offenders, and defaulters disqualified from registering. Mr G. HUTCHISON moved to insert in the clause the words "nor any inmate of any charitable institution receiving Government nid." He considered it was not a proper thing that people in this position should have a voice in the imposition of taxation. Mr BUCKLAND pointed out that no provision was mado in the bill to prevent lunatics from registering. The Hon. Mr BALLANCE said ho had no objection to insert "lunatics and persons of unsound mind." He •thought, however, no reference should be made to people receiving charitable aid. Mr HUTCHISON withdrew his amendment, and said there were no paupers in his district. A clause was added to prevent lunatics and persons of unsound mind from registering. Clause 9, registered male elector qualified as a member. Mr BLAKE moved an addition to the clauso, " That no woman should bo qualified to vote till after the next general election." Sir JOHN HALL said he hoped this would not bo agreed to. He intended to move an amendment that the woman franchise should not come into force till Ist June 1893, so as to give time for tho preparation of the rolls. Mr HUTCHISON asked the Premier whether he accepted that amendment. Tho Hon. Mr BALLANCE replied ho could not do so, but would accept a proposal to defer the woman franchise coming into force till June 1893. Mr Blake's amendment was lost by 33 to 14. Left sitting at 2 a.m.