WEDNESDAY, JULY 17.

Otago Witness, Issue 2161, 25 July 1895, Page 23

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17.

* In the Legislative Council this afternoon the Judicial Practice and Procedure Bill was thrown oat. The Divorce Extension BilL Property Law Consolidation Bill, and Journalists' Institute Bill passed the second reading stage, and the Adulteration Prevention Bill was reported from Committee. ~ - JUDICIAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE. The Hon Sir P. ,BUCKLEY resumed the debate on the second reading of the Judicial Practice aud Procedure* Bill. He aaid he again desired to assure the Council that he was the last man to engage in a tilt with judges of the Supreme Gourb. Once more he desired to tell the Council that the bill was not directed against their Honors who were seated on the Supreme Court bench. He assured the Couucil that he would rather his hands were cut off than he would interfere with the independence of the Supreme Court judges. The amendment that the bill be read- that day six months was carried by 22 to 12. The following is the division lisfc :—: — Ayks (12).— Messr3 Baillie, Buckley, Teldwick, Jenkinsou, Jennings, Kelly, Keiv, JH'Oullough, Montgom .ry, Rigg, Wahawaha, Whitmore. Noes (22).—Messrs Ad and, BarnicOat, Bolt, Bonstr, Bowen, Holmes, Johnston, MacSregor, M Lean, Orniond, Peacock, Pharazyn, Pollen, * Reynolds, R chaidson. Scotland, Shrimski, Steveiw, Stewart, SwamoDj Taiaroa, Williams. DIVOHCR.* The Hon. Mr MICGREGOR moved the second readiog of the Divorce Bill. He'is&id that it resembled, the bill he introduced" last year,, but heVhad abandoned several of the pro- . visions. He proposed that infidelity or cruelty. should be a ground for -divorce, arid''that desertion for four years should be another. It also proposed to place men and women on the . same footing. The Hons. Sir P. BUCKLEY and Mr KERR opposed the bill, while the Hon. Messrs STEVENS and BONAR took exception to some clauses. The Hon. Messrs Bonar, Jenkinson, and Stewart Bupported the bill. Id the House of Representatives this afternoon a motion was carried by a substantial majority which threatens the existence of the totalieator. Questions and a discussion on the administration of the licensing laws and other matters took up the afternoon sitting. .In the evening Dr Newman's bill to open the doors of Parliament to women was thrown out by 35 to 28. The Referendum Bill then came on for discussion, and was road a second time. REPLIKS TO QUESTIONS. Repljiog to the Hon. Mr-L*rnach, The Hon. SEDDON said he did nob think it advisable for the colony to interfere as to the position of the harbour boards in the colony, and it. would not therefore bs advisable fo set up a committee for the purpose of inquiring into their po.ition. Replying to Mr Maslin, The Hon. Mr M'KENZIE said there was no law compelling the .Government to recl&ssify the Crown lands already disposed of, and he thought land boards could deal with the matter without infringing the Land Act. ' Replying to Mr Buchanan, whether the Government are aware -that the replies to the applications for loans under the Advances to Settlers Act are in some cases delayed for three months, The Hon. Mr SEDDON said tbat if Mr Buchanan fucnishod him with the names cJE the apj>)> ' lerrod to be should forward"them to ' • '•" d i"ifc of f-e'boArd for an CXjtn ... I .1 ' Coplyiug to Mr Wi l\sro, Tha Hon. Mr BEDDON. Siid it would not be advisable to lend money to Natives indiscriminately, but the Advances to Settlers Act might be made to apply to certain cases. Replying to Mr Pirwri, The Hon. Mr SEDDON said the police had strict instruct:ons to enforce tha licensing law, and if they did not do their duty he should nob spare them He had not heard any complaints from Blenheim on this head, but ha should inquire into the case referred to by Mr Pi rani. Ruplj ing to Sir R Stout, The Hon. Mr SEDDON said the Government had not seized or intended to use the sinking funds accumulated under Government Loans to Local Bodies Aot in any way other than provided by law. "'' Rep'ying to Mr Button, whether the Government will place a Bum on. the Estimates for a speoial grant in aid of the meeting of volunteer < representatives, from the Australasian colonies to take part in the Federal Match at Oama'ru^ in February 1896, . The Hon. Mr SEDDON said he should make inquiries as to what had been done when New Zealanders visited the other colonies, and he should not allow this colony to be behind in that respect. , Replying to Mr Morrison, The Hon. Mr SEDDON said the Government would take stopt to have tlfe senfeus&.o£ imprisonment passed on a Danish lad.in. Wellington on the 17,fch July annulled, and tjxey would take further steps to deal with the.caaa of the lad in question. , Replyiog to Mr Pinkerton, ■ * -"'•■-' " The Hon. Mr BEDDON said the o«Bja,ot' a constable kioking a woman at Dunedihthad been brought under hi* notice; and he. had immediately dismissed the constable. THE TOTAXTSATOB. Mr CARNELL moved—" That, with a yiew to reducing the number of race meetings in this colony, it is most desirable that clause 46 of •The Gaming and Lotteries Aot 1881? be repealed." —Carried by 35 to 24. WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT. Dr NEWMAN moved the second reading of the Admission of Women to Parliament Bill, io admit women to the General Assembly of New Zealand. He said the bill was exactly the same as that of last year, with the exception of the title.' Since last year the bill had been before the country and hael met with general favonr. It seemed to him extraordinary that this House, which was elected by women, should refuse women a privilege^ which was granted them by a previous Parliament elected by men. He instanced cases of several countries where this privilege was granted,, and said in the Parliament of Colorado three women occupied seafca, and tha. Parliament of South Australia had opened its doors to women. He saw no reason why they should not occupy seats in Parliament as well a* on schoel committees, education boards, and other bodies. , Mr CARNCROSS seconded the motion, as he looked on it as the logical sequence of giving women votes for parliamentary elections. Mr T. MACKENZIE opposed the bill as a perfectly ridiculous measure. He did not think the floor of the House was the propel place for women. They now possessed? tha franchise and could elect representatives o£ heir choice. - The motion was lost by 35 to 26. The following is the division list: — Ayks (26).—Messrs Buick, Carncross, Carnell, Carrott, Duncan, Flatmau, Hall-Jones, Joyce, J. W. Kelly, W. Kelly, Lang, Lawry, M'Nftb t

Millar, Morrison, Newman, Pirani, Reeves, 6. W. Russell, G. J. Smith. B. M. Smith, Steward, Btout, Tanner, To Ao, Willis. Noes (35), — Messrs AlleD, Buchanan, Buddo, Button, Oadnian, Collins, Orowther, Duihfe, Eam*haw, W. Hutchison. Mackintosh. Muslin, M*ssey. Graham, Greon, Guinness, nail. Harris, Ho£g, M'Gowan, J. M'Kenzie, R. ML'Kenzie, M'JLachlati, Meredith, Mills, Mitchelson, O'KegAU, Purata, Piukerton, W. R. Russell, Baundera, Stevens, Thompson, Ward, Wilson. Taiks.— Aye : Ilone Heke. No :W. Fraser. THE BEFBBENDTJM. Mr O'REGAN moved the second reading of the Referendum Bill, to refer to the electors of the oolony certain motions and bills for their decision. He had not intended to bring in the bill this session, but & good many members jrged him to. introduce it again this session. Since last session the bill had received great sup* port ; and it was now in the forefront of the Conservative programme in England. That was anvargament with some members to oppose the bill, bat it proved to him that the measure must he a popular one when the Tory party adopted it. He- held that the source of all political power must be the people, and, there* fore, there could be no objection to referring great political questions to the people, which was the object of the bill. It was, in his opinion, only fair that the people of the colony should have the right of vetoing legislation if they' thought it necessary to' do so. " The bill was essentially a Liberal measure, and should not be opposed by anyone calling himself a Democrat. Mr SAUNDERS said the bill seemed to him one of the most impoitint measure* brought in this session, and he regretted that Ministers did not' lead the Home on que.-tions of this bind. The bill appeared to him desirable on several grounds. The -way in which questions between the two Houses were now settled only gave Ministers an opportunity of appointing * several additional members to the Legislative Council, which was not a very desirable way. They were told they should not copy Switzerland, but he held that country was well worthy of copying, as her Constitution had been framed by three of the moit eminent men- in the world. Her Constitution was che*on in 1848, and had worked admirably ever since. It would be well for this colony if it po> sessed such a Constitution as Switzerland. This bill merely provided for the settlement by the people of disputes between the two Houses, and he hoped to see it pass. The Hon. Mr SEDDON had no itrong feelings on ihis measure, but the other day at a deputation' he was publicly informed that the passage of this bill meant the abolition of the Legislative Council, and Mr O'Regan admitted it. He held, therefore, that if it were to go to the country that the bill wonld have that effect the' country should know it. It wonld in bis opinion be very unwise to refer such questions to the people as that of an elective Governor, when probably the decision of the people might be detrimental to the best' interests of the country. They had the beat safeguards now, and the electoral l*ws should be made as liberal as possible. He thought the country was not ripe for such a great change as would be involved in the passing of tbis bill. He had every confidence in the people, but he had seen on the goloflelds a time of great excitement whtn men would sweep everything before them, and .a few days afterwards' would greatly regret their action. In thi> case, however, the decision of the people would be placed on the Statute Book, which was a different thing. He thought it right to let know that a deputation represented ' to him that the passing, of the bill meant the abolition of the Legislative Council. The second reading was carried by 28 to 14. HELP TO MINING SPECULATION. It appears that as the law at present stands mining companies have in many cases a difficulty in rending their properties without going into liquidation, though it is difficult to understand why the necessary powers cannot be provided by the artioles of association. However, it is alleged that tbis disability has been found to seriously hamper the dealings in the north, by which English capital is purchasing mines conditionally on their being tested. At present, should the mine fail, the purchasers can avail themselves of the law by drawing back from their bargain, and the selling company, should the test prove the property to be unexpectedly rich, can hang on to it by. refusing to liquidate The Minister for Mines is introducing a Mining Act Amendment Bill to permit of the disposal of going concerns and making all such undertakings as above binding on both parties. MINISTERS AND THE PRESS. For gome hours last night the House wat engaged in much fervid talk and tomfooling over <the liberty and privileges of the press in. connection with a new clause tacked on to the Evidence Farther Amendment BilL-by the Joint Statutes Revision Committee. The clause that led to a wasted evening and' much reactionary talk by Liberal Ministers— who . seem to fear, above all thing?, the liberty of the. newspaper press— provides that no newspaper proprietor, editor, or reporter shall be compelled to 'disclose in any proceeding the name of the writer of any article, letter, or paragraph appearing without such name in the literary columns of any newspaper which may be the property of such proprietor, or upon which such editor or reporter may have been engaged at the time of the publication, provided that nothing herein contained shall be held to lessen the personal responsibility of such editor, or reporter in respect of such publication." This olaute is not of much moment to journalists or journalism in itself, but the debate was significant as indicating the fate of the Defamation Bill, now before the Council, when it comes to be dealt with by the Government. The Hon. Mr Reeve?, who had charge of the bill,, was especially bitter in his denunciation of the clause, declaring with much vehemence that the press was free enough already; while the Premier roundly declared that its freedom was abused, as in his case it more than once has been. Mr Reeves was especially disappointing, for as a Socialist and a journalist he was not expected to express sentiments that wonld have been more becoming if uttered by the official head of the press bureau of an abeoaute Government, rather than by the .Minister for Labour of New Zealand. THE RABBIT PLAGUE. The rabbit pest is always with us, and the House, particularly as to country members, is always interested when the subject comes up. Sesterday Mr Flatman desired to know if the Government intended to offer any inducement jbo Mr Emerson to introduce his scheme for coping with the rabbit pest. The Minister for Lands explained- that while Mr Emerson was evidently impressed with the greatness of his discovery, he refused to impart any information as to bis method of destruction, though assured that his confidence would-be strictly respected. *The Minister naturalljedeolared that, before he could expend any public money on such a scheme, he mast know something about ib. PORT CHALMERS FISHERMEN. Last evening' Mr Millsr pat in a very tmphatic protest against the oppressive opera'

tion of the Sea Fisheries Aot of last session as app'ied to the Port Ch&lmers fishermen, particularly those who are dependent upon hired boats fox their meaiis of livelihood. Your readers are no doubt famTiar with the merits of tho case brought forward by Mr Millar. The answer of the Hon. Mr Ward was friendly and sympathetic. He expressed his desire to afford relief, but asked that the matter might stand untplhe-had received a report upon the same subject that had recently bean called for by the Imperial Government, the contents of which would no doubt greajbly help him lo a satisfactory settlement of the whole question. THE LICENSING LAW. The administration of the licensing law in the various centres of the colony was discussed at some length this afternoon on a motion for adjournment.. Mr Duthio declared that in Wellington the law was violated in such an open manner that any passer-by could not fail to be aware of the fact. v The state of affairs in Chrifctchurcb, Mr G. J. Smith stated, was quite as ba*i, if not even worse. Mr Crowther was not prepared to follow the lead and hold up his city as * shocking example %o the -colony. He contended that in Auckland the licensing lawwas not openly or generally broken, and that his constituents wera both sober and law abiding. Mr~ Crowther also defended the police against the attacks of a certain section of the Hou3e. The Premier and the Minister for Education also ably justified the administration of the law. ■Mr M'Gowan reminded the House that the police bad other things .to do besides finding out publicans who committed breaches of the act, and angered the Cbristchurch representatives by staling that from what he had heard their city was the most drunken city in the colony. Captain Russell warned the House that if they were to avoid the rock of prohibition they would have to s-e that the law was firmly enforced. No one could say that such was the case at present. He did not blame the Government, for other Governments bad failed in the same way ; but tbe fsct of the matter was that the* colony as a whole was not really in earnest in desiring to have the liquor laws rigidly cirried out. / THE WAIPORI RIVER DIFFICULTY. Mr M'lndoe, jun., one of the Berwick farmers interested in the Waipori-Berwick difficulty, was introduced to the Minister for Mines by Mr Carncross, member for""Taieri, this morning, and had a long iuterview. Mr M'ludoe, unfortunately, does nob come up armed with any authority giving him power to mike any definite arrangements, though he undoubtedly appears ta be fully conversant with the wishes of the majority of the settlers in his district, but as he does not represent tbe whole of them it will of course be impossible for the Minister to come to definite terms with him Mr M'lndos submitted some ideas that may assist in arriving at a satisfactory settlement. Nothing new has transpired, and the position has not changtd *ince I last advised you. lam disposed to think, however, that, although Miuibters are somewhat re'icenfcon the subject, a settlement is close at hand. A legal geutleman in Dunedin has bad tho matter in hand for same days, and negotiations between him and some of the persons interested are still pending. JOTTINGS. The return of the expenses of the Tariff Commission shows a total expenditure of £1700, made up as follows : — Travelling ex'penseii of commission, £289 10 j; advertising, £57 ; printing, £400 ; clerical work, £239 The following amiuule were paid to members :— Hon. W. J. Steward, £124 ; Mr W. Hutchison, £102; Mr W. W,. Tanuer, £118; Mr Jamea M'Gawan, £111 ; Mr John Stevens £120 ; Mr Thonus Mackenzie, £118 ; messsngers, &o , £21. Mr Laing would have couatry libraries assisted by a eubtidy of pound for pound, but the Premier says that the last time anything 'of the kind was on it co*t tho country £7000, and the finances of the ' country cannot afford a repetition of that experience. He would send the libraries tbe Government publications without charge. ' Mr WiUou suggested that school libraries should be similarly treated, and the Premier was of opinion that children should not be encouraged to dabble in politics, The Minister for Education sayft that probite charges on small estates when placed in the bauds of the Public Trustee vary from 1 to 5£ per cent. The Hon. Mr Reeves states that the report of the Royal Commission on the Christchurch Hospital will be laid on the t»ble of the House without any unreasonable delay. The Salvation Army are projecting a scheme for aiding discharged prisoners, and the Government will aid the movement if it is shown to be of value. . Mr Meredith wishes the" Minister for Lands -to subsidise the live cattle trade with Europe, but tbe "Minister thinks the development of the trade can safely be left to private enterprise. Mr Pirani was the author of the clause proposing that editors might accept the responsibility of any communication and decline to disclose the name of the writer. He said it was simply to protect the honpst editor, who wonld refuse to divulge a confidence reposed in him. The dishonest editor wae protected now, for he merely had to give a bogus name. Mr Hone Heke a few nights back told the House that the Minister for Lands — at a .time when he told Mr Mitohelson to the contrary — had paid Warena Hunia his £2000 on tbe Horowhenua account. Since then ,he has looked up the dates and found his error, and yesterday he took an opportunity of informing the House, and, amid applause, expressed his regret to the Minister for having misrepresented him.