N.Z. PARLIAMENT.
. ', TUESDAY, JULY 7. -• .In. the Legislative Cdunoil to - day the , Sea Fisheries Bill and the Supreme Court Acb Amendment Bill were passed and tho Pharmacy Bill-read a second time,
In the House of Representatives the Premier announced that Mr W. B. Edwards had accepted the vacant judgeship, which had been offered to him. After questions had-bsen disposed of the Representation Bill, which provides for -setting np a commission for each .island instead of one commission for tbe t whole of the colony to adjust boundaries, was ; ditcps»ed, and eventually passed. The Criminal /Code Amendment Bill, raising the age of con;ient; was al«o passed, and the lUting on Unimproved Value Bill got through Committee. . •
REPLIES TO QUESTIOKS.
Replying to Mr Buddo, whether the Government will amend tbe Shops and Shop Assistants Act jjo that small shopkeepers having assistants, - partly employed in a workroom and partly in a shop nuy not be compelled to give their shop assistants a half-holiday, and also a half-holiday under the Faotory Act, The Hon. Mr SEDDON said he should try to me,efc the cases of this kind, as it was. never intended there should be two half-holidays. Replying to Mr-Joyce, will ..the Government »Bk-I;ne Agent-general to obtain a report from HolJunfi relative to the proceedings adopted by "the. .Government there, in successf nlly- solving. th&^ueeUon of mendicancy and pauperism that hud previously .existed in that country < The-Hon. Mr SBDDON said they would do so with pleasu-e.'
Replying to Mr Collins, The Hon. Mr SEDDON said the Government intended to bring in an Old Age Pensions Bill, and when it was brought in the House oould refer it to the Old Age Pensions Committee.
Beplyi&g to Mr Meredith,
The Hon. Mr SEDDON said the sum of £1500 voted by the House for private reformatory inititutioQs was well spent, and they were most desirable objects for assistance Replying to Dr Newman, whether the Colonial Treaiurer will arrange that the next, balance sheet of the B*nk of Now Zealand shall contain muoh fuller details in the profit and locs aeoount, The Hon. Mr SEDDON asked members not to hamper the bank or put it in a worse position by questions of this kind. A committee ■would shortly iuTe'stigtta the. whole matter and this question would probably ooms befote it. R^pljiugitp-Mr Allen, , , ' { The Hon. Mr" SEDDON said the ordinary prooednre -had been gone ihrough regarding the appoin!mant of a new commander of the NeW Z-xilau 1 force?, and the term of appointment was for five years.
Rsplj ing to Dr Newman,
Tho Hon. Mr S2DDON said that Parliament in its wisdom had passed an acb establishing a university for the Middle Distriot of New Zealand) and the Government were now considering whother they cWd this session grant a sum of money in a ; d of that university, bui primary schools should be their first consideration. -
'RETimENTATIOSr.
The Hon. Mr SEDDON moved the second leading of the Representation Aot Amendment Bill "to facilitate tho formation of electoral districts by providing for the appointment of t wo' comraiasioneiM in lieu of one. He thought members would be relieved at tha opportunity given them to dtecass the bill and the intentions of the Government. What they desired to do was •to facilitate the adjustment of districts and to arrange the details of representation necessitated by the late census returns. It vraa proposed to have separate commissioners for the North and' South Islands. Ho ■ held it was very desirabie that the electoral rolls for the new districts should ■be mi complete as possible, but a good deal had to be done first.' After the Survey department bad-prepared plans the commissioners could get to work, and it would take a considerable time to go through the various districts; That beiDg the case he thought it deiirable that, there shou'd bs a commission for each island. After detailing the results of the census, he said the quota for members under the new census return? would bo 10,793. It praotically meant he said that 2} members were to be added to the North Island owing to the increase of population, and that 2£ members would be takeu from the Souih IsUnd; bub that would, no doubt ba decided by the commissioners. He f hould like to have the maps and cub.ii visions kid on the table of the House before members disparted, and the Government would do their best to get that accomplished. The House would see. that -the North Island commiisiontrs would consist of the Surveyorgeneral and commissioners of Crown lands of Auckland and Taranaki, wails'; tha commissioners for the South Islaad would be bhe commissioners of Crown Lauds for Wesbland, C uiterbury, and Otago respectively ; and the remaining two members ' of eic'a 'commission vrould be gentlemen who were nob members of Parliament or ot the' civil SBwic, and -.the Government would do their be3b to provide' that none of those gentlemen should be strong political partisans of eilh'sr side. He held it was not desirable that one island should be robbing the other island of its pepulabion, and he would prefer to see the people of the colony settling down as in old countries and nob charging from one island bo another. He thought it was not desirable to change tha boundaries too frequently, and he hoped the House would express its opinion on thit point. Mr T. MACKENZiE regretted that the Premier had neb effected some reforms in the matter of representation in this bill.. Ib was impossible to get a fair system ot reprejentation under the bill, and 'if the area and population were to be rigidly considered jmtice would nob be done under it. His opinion was that; . some constituencies were not so framed and were of such enormous proportions thab ib was absolutely impossible for any but bhe most robusb men tj coutesb such districts. There should be three classes of constituencies — one for cities "with large • populations, anobher for boroughs of 2000 and upwards, and a third for back districts. He also objected to elector** in cities htving three vote 3 for three candidates as against' one vota in the country districts. He held that in many cases minorities were not represented in the colony at all, and he should like' to 'see a modified Hare system brought in. Sir R. STOUT did not see much to object to in the bill, and he should support ib. The only objection that could bo raited bo the bill was making bbc offioial meojb.T* of the bo*rd three Instead of two, but he had no doubt bhe gf-ntje-men on the. board would perform their dubies fairly. He hoped, however, that the Premier would agree to reappoint the present nonpolitical members of the board, as they were thoroughly qualified men for the work. As for jbhe quota question he- (Sir R. Stout) thought there should be no quota at all. Mesu'i Newman, J. M'Kenzle Collins, Ma*sey, U. Hutchison, Mills, Earnshaw, Pirani, Buick, gad Sauaden epoke oa tta teill. The latter advo-
cated the Hare system of repreaentat.on, whioh, he held, would be most satisfactory to all,
The Hon. Me SEDDON, replying, denied that any jerrymandering was entailed by the bill, as stated by Mr E»rnshaw. The reason why the Government decided on bringing in the bill was because, having made inquiries, the Government found it would ba impossible to get all the necessary information in the time required with one board. As to Sir R. Stout's request that the non-ofnoial members of the board should be the same as by the last aot, he (Mr Seddon) could not give that assurance, as all of those gentlemen were growing older, and it might ba necessary to obtain the services of younger men. He held that the present was not the time to raise the question of town versus country, but when it did arise, and if he should ba on the Opposition benches, he should do his best to alter the preient etato of things. As to the date on whioh the general election would be held, it would be at the earliest possible opportunity that was most favourable to the Government, but under ordinary circumstances he thought the election would be held aboub the same time as the last election. As to objections to plural voting, be agreed with them, and said a bill would be brought down this session to remove plural votieg. Ho should ask the House to pass the bill through Committee as a matter of urgency, and he hoped the next Government de.y to be eb'e to submit the names of .the noaofficial momberaof the board.
The motion wes. agreed to.
The Hon. Mr CADMAN moved' the second reading of- the Gold Duties Act Amendment Bill, which was ODly a teabnical measure, and applies to a few districts in the North-Island.— Agreed to. ' . v . THE AGE OF CONSENT. > \ The Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill was committed.
Clnuse 3, age of consent raised to 16. — Mr J. W. Kelly moved that "eighteen" be inserted instead of sixt*ea. — The Hon. Mr Seddon hoped the amendment would nob be pressed, as it might jeopardise the pissing of the bill in the Council. The amendment was lost; by 33 to 18. Ciausa 5, prosecution to commence within two months. — Mr G. W. Russell moved to rruke it three months. The amendment was lost by 37 to 18. The remaining clauses pissed without alteration.
BATING ON TJNIMPHOVJBD VALUE.
The Rating on Unimproved Value 8.1 l was committed.
Mr Allen moved to strike out of the ioterpret&tiou clause the portion defining "improvements," which stated that improvements do not include land reclaimed from the sea. A lengthy dieeti*sion *rose on the 'whole question of improvements, itrong exception beiug taken to the portion of the clause referring to ■ land reolaimcd from the eea. Mr AUeo's amendment was finally lost by 26 to 25.— Mr Eabnshmv moved that laud reclaimed from "water" as well as from "sea" should not; be included in improvements. — The Hod. Mr Seddon opposed the amendment. He said there were quite sufficient members opposed to the clause without risking its being thrown out if he accepted this additional amendment. The amendment was losS'by^S ti B.— Mr O'Rgqan moved to add the words •• not less / thari 100 ft of water." Loit-by37 to 9, and clause 2 passed without alteration.
Clause 3, construction of Rating Aot 1894- for the purposes of this aot.— Sir R. Stout moved a new subsection that "no buildings or improvements on land, held under lease or Hcodso for mining pufpo.es, residences or building sites, should be rateabla." — Agreed to, and the clause passed.
CI&US3 6.— Mr Buddo moved tint before the Bating on Unimproved Value Bill be adopted in any district a"; leait one-half of the ratepayers on the roll niust record their votes instead of one-third.— Me O'Regax moved to strike put " at least one-third must record tbeir votes." Lost bj '33 to 17.— Mr Bnddo's unaudaaenb was also lost by 27 to 24, and the clause passed. '
Clause 11, no reseiudiog proposal to ba submitted to the ratepayers for three years.— Mr O'Regan moved an addition, "unless before the expiration of that time one-third of the ratepayers demand a second poll."— Lost on the voices, and the clause oirried.
Clause 19, rates to which the act is not to apply.— Mr O'Regan moved to strike out the subsection which provided that the aot should not apply to watsr rates. Lost by 35 to 14- — Mr Bell moved to strike out gas rates and electric light rates. Loit by 31 to 20— Mr Bell moved to strike out seweraga rate*. Loßt by 31 to 15.— Sir R. Sxoor moved that the act should not apply to charitable rateß or hospital rat ea.— The Hon. Mr Seddon accepted the amendment, which was carried by 41 to 11.— Subsection 2, which provided that the act should not apply to rates under "The River Boards Act 1884 " for the construction or maintenance of works for the protection of buildings and improvements, was struck out on motion. — Mr Stevens moved to add another subsection— *' That the act should not' Apply to any bu.li. laud* acquired direct from the Crown which do not exceed 200 acres ia extent until the expiration of , three years from the issue by the' C.-osrn lands commissioner of a license or any other written permission to the intending occupier to enter into possession of euch lands."— After a long- discussion, Mr Stevens added to his subsection — " That such lands shall for the said periods be exempt from all rates." — The subjection was lost by 26 to 13, and clause 19 curried.
Mr Hekb moved a new clause—" If any Native or Nativas owning land in the North Island is or are prohibited by law from selling or leasing such lands to persons other than the Crown no rates shall be levied on such lands unless suoh lands are uMlisei by such owners fo,r pecuniary advantage." — Lost by 22 to 15.
Mr T. Mackenzie moved a new clause providing that all inferior freehold pastoral lands incapable of profitable improvements shall be rated up n\ two-thirds of their assessed value. — Lost by 26 to 6.
The bill was reported with amendments and ordered to be considered next day,
BILLS PASSED.
The Representation AcS Amendment Bill and Criminal Code Am andment Bill were read a third Urns and passed.
REPRESENTATION.
The Representation Act Amendment Bill, which has just made its appearance, is intituled an act to facilitate the formation and adjustment of electoral districts, by providing for the appointment of two commissions ia lieu of one. The bill provides that ia lit,u of the commission provided for by sect'oa 2 of ths Representation Act of 1887 there Bhall be substituted two permment commissions, to be called the North Island Representation Commission and the Middle Island Representation Commission. The commissions .shall be appointed by the Governor-in-Couneil nob later bam 21 days after the passing of this act, and each of the commissions shall consist of fire . members, of whom the Surveyor-general and the commisLsioners of Crown lands for the Taranaki and ' VMiWffffl 2&& d dutcioto respectively shall ba /
the three offioial members of tha commission for the North Ishnd ; and the commissioners of Crown Lands for the Wefttland, Canterbury, and Otago land di«triots respectively shall ba tha three official members of the commission for the Middle Island, aud the remaining t.vo raembors of each commission shall be such p?rsm3, not bains members of the civil service or of the General Assembly, as the House of Representatives nominates as unofficial memb?iM of ths commission subject to the provisioas of this acb. Each of the coaimissions may exerciss all the powers and fuactiom oonferred by " The Representation Acb 1887," and all the provisions of that act shull mutatis mutandis apply. Tb.9 coenmiasions shall sit together as a joint commission for the purpose ot fixing, according to the basis prescribed by " The Representation Acb 1887," the namber of the distriVs for the North Island and for the Middle Island (inoluding Sbewarb Island) respectively, bub slnll thera« after aoi separately and independently of one another. The Governor may fix the time and place for the joint sittings of the commissions and prescribe the method of procedure. Judging from the provitions of this bttl and what the Premier stated this afternoon the Government have abandoned the compromise whioh wa» suggested ab ,a recent Government caucus — namely, that the North Island should hive three additional members while the South Island should retain its present munbar. The Premier Etated this afternoon that the complete results of the census showei thit the North Island was entitled to 3376 Earojosau members , and the South 36*24. This practically means '.that 2$ members should be added to the". North and 2£ ' taken from the South Island. Tha commissioners would- s ba empowered to deal with these fractions. He hoped due weight would be given to unity ot interests in making tha readjustments. Taking the Maori members into coasideration, and supposing the North gets the advantage of the fraction the representation of the two islands will hi exactly equal, -
THE NEW JUDGE.
As was generally anticipated, Mr W. B. Edwards has been chosen by the Government to fill tie vacancy ou the Supreme Court bench. Mr Seddon announced the appointment ia the Housd this afternoon. Captain Russall compliment sd the Government on their selection, and stated that they had done a graceful action. Mr W. B. Edwards was born in London in 1850, and arrived in Otago in 1855. He received his eduostionab the Otago High Sohcol, and was articled to Messrs Julius md O'Meagher, of Oimaru, and admitted as a solicitor by Mr Justice Wiliisrai in 1875. He scoi alter came to Wellington, where for a short time he was managing clerk to the late Mr Brandon. He then entered into partnership with Mr W. H. Moorhouse, ths linn carrying on business under the stye of Moorhouse and Edwards. Liter on it was known as Moorhouse, El wards, and Outten, but from 1885 Mr Edwards practised his profession on his own account until ho was appointod a judge of the Supreme Court by the Atkinson - Government in 1890. When the Ballanoe Government came into power in 1891 they disputed the validity of his commission, oa the ground that a sixth judge could cot; be appointed. Ab Mr Edwards's suggestion the Government took stops to test the validity of his commission in the Appeil Court, wheu it was decided in his favour, but on the case baing carried to the Privy Council the decision of the Court of Appeal was reversed. Since thea Mr Edwards has practised his profession in Wellington.
VINE CUTTINGS.
Mr Massey a?kad the Mini.ter for Agriculture this afternoon whether his departnisut will alloy the vine cuttings coining d : reib trom the Government Gardens at Sydney, with a guarantee that they are free from phylloxera, to be landed in Auckland without at first compelling them to ba seat' to Wellington for examination ? The' Minister, iv reply,, slid it was only a Bhorb time ago that provision had been made for allqwiog vine cuttings into the colony at nil. It was accessary th»t.th?y should first come to Wellington to be properly examined, and this system had given general satisfaction. In order to avoid datfger this regulation should ba 'adhered to, at any rate for a time.
OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY.
The Government have deciled to put another section of the Otago Central railway, beyood the Taieri Lake, in hand. Instructions are to be given at once to proceed with the work.
CABINET GRANTS.
At a meeting of the Cabinet the following items of expenditure were passed :— Railway miterial. £20,000; shed, Wairangi railway station, fur storing wattle bark, £300 ; bridge at Vinegar Hill, £1000; purveys Lorth of Auckland, £300; Stiatford On^aruhu road, £1000; Karioi- Alexandra road, £300; Tekuaoma improved farm, £500 ; Bush settlement farm,. Mangatu, £500 ;• Bush settlement farm, Kitni, £500; Bush settlement farm, Awatura, £500 ; Taurauga-Napier road, £500 ; Wanganui Block road, £300.THE CBRISTCHURCH .ELECTION.
A return .has bean laid upon the table showing the receipts and expenditure of the candidates at the recent bye-alection at Christchurch as follows:— R. M. Taylor — receipts nil, expenditure £73 Is 7d ; Charles Lewisreceipts (including £109 7s lid per National Association) £159 7s lid, expenditure £159 7s lid; T. E. Taylor-exoendituce £101 6s 91.
' A TIMBER TRADE CONFERENCE.
It will be remembered that there was some reference in the Governor's Speech to a conference of representatives of tha timber trade to b9 held in Wellington. Notices have been sent out ■ inviting representatives of saw mills, builders, and exporters to attend a canferenoe to be held here. The conference will be asked to deal with saw milling, including the best etsps to prevent the destruction of forests, and as to the use of timbers upon all bush lands thrown open for settlement ; the export of timber to the colonies, Cape of Good Hope, Great Brit tin, and the Continent; forestry, inoluding tres-planting, and what is best suited to the different parts of the colony ; the question of timbers for building purposes and when they should be cut, also timbers best suited for furniture and fretwork. It is understood that the Governments of New South Wale?, South Australia, and Victoria will be asked to send representatives..
THE IDA VALLEY RUN.
The Waste Lands Committee recommend that the petition in regard to the outting-up of portion of this run be referred to the Government for favourable consideration.
THE BANKING COMMITTEE.
The Premier intends to move that the proceedings of the Banking Committee be open to the press, but it appears that the publication of the evidence will not be privileged unless there is an order of the House to publish the proceedings. The Post to-night Bays : "So far as we know it has never been held that a newspaper was justified in publishing the proceedings of a parliamentary committee if it did not care to ran the risk s£ -i, 4sei notion. Tide (thorns
the need of Parliament passiDg one of the Defamation Bills now before it. They are very mtroh alike. One is introduced by tha Hon. Mr Fold wick, and the other by Sir Robert Stout. Up to the present the Ministry h»8 persistently obstructed the passing of a libsl bill. The need of such a measure is apparent to everjono engaged in journalism. Tbe question now arises wbab is the press to do P If the newspapers publish untruthful statements made at the committes the person aggrieved by such untruthful assertions may sue the papers that publish the statements." There is also some doubt as to whether the bank officers can bo nude to givo evidence to as full an extent ai may bo desirable, and Mr G. W. Russell is to ask the Premier if the Government have been advised bj the Crown law officers as to whether or not the officers of the Bank of New Zealand will be compellable to give evidence before the Banking Committee as to the transactions of that bank prior to the country baing interested in the bank. . There are still murmurs of dissent as to the constitution of the committee, and especially as to the objection on the part of the' Goverumeut to allow Messrs Pimni, R. Thompson, and Duthie to act on the committee, aB it is beliertd that had these throe been on ib matters would have bsen probed to th? bottom.
MATAMATAHAREKEKB BLOCK.
Tho consideration ot the petition of Arthur P. Wi';ty and others, of Gisborne, dealing with thii block, has been before the Goldfields Committee of the Legislative Coiiucil on two occasions, and has been further adjourned until Thursday next, so that the Minister for' Mines may be examined. Considerable interest is evinced by members of the Legislature iv conneotion with this block and others similarly affected, and the appendix to tbe Journals of the House of Representatives of 1669, which contains all the negotiations and a report by Mr James M«ckay, has been iv demand by members. The report published in that year is very interesting reading now that the Hauriki goldfialds engross' so much public attention. It recapitulates the troubles of the early days from tho time Colonel Wynyard entered into an agreement wibh the Nativts in November 1852 up t» the proclamation of May 1868, when the Cape Colville, Tokatea, and Kennedy Bay blocks were declared open for gold mining purposes. It is alleged by some that the Matamataharekeke land is situated in one of these blocks, and therefore it and has been open for mining purposes since the date of tho proclamation. The evidence of Mr Cadman before the oommittse on Thursday no doubb will throw sjme light on- the -recent transactions in connection vcith the affair.
A £20,000 PENCE.
A numerously-signed petition was pre;entsd to-day, asking bhe l^oie nnient to erect a fence to proteob South Canterbury from the inoursiou of oho rabbits. The cost ot the fence h estimated ab £20,000. Ib is stated that, as bhe result of the erection of the fence through the Mackenzie country to Mount Cook, the pastoral runs to the north of the -fence realised a rental of over ,£40,000 ' per annum, or £12,000 per annum greater than the upset prices. The exbra rentals received by tbe Government to this date amount to £80,003, whereas- the runs to tbe south of the t'ooco were unsold, and , scma have since been leased tt greatly reduced, rentals. It ,is stated that 'rabbi ;s are now on the north side of the fence, and that . the new fence should be on a line from Waifcaki, past Fairlie, to the Rangitata.
JOTIINGS.
Mr Collins, I undsrbtmd, now disclaims that he in a Ministerialist : he is simply a Liberal.
The proposal to hold morning sittings of the House does not appear to fiud f&vour in tha eyes of masy of bhe members, aud it is suggested that no further steps will be taken in this direction at anyrate for the present.
Tie Premier says that the anticipation of the department from the rediufon of the telephone rates h*d net been realised.
Ttie Hon. J. Carroll has sufficiently recovered to take his seat ia the House once more.
Mr E. G. Jellicoo," solicitor, will again confceit one oiH'ne city seats at the general election. He declares himself no loDg<sc a supporter of the Government, and is opposed to the banking legislation. He will stand as an Irdependenb Liberal.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8.
' Iv the Legislative Council to - day the Institute of Surveyors Bill was passed. The debnt9 on a motion simiUr to that passed in the other Chamb-r, to set up a committee to inquire into the bauking legislation and the affairs of the Bank of New Zealand, was commoDced, but not concluded. The Hon. G. Hl 'Lean, who was among- <: 6» speakers, defended the sale of the Colonial Sink, and decried the conduct of that shareholders who were concerned in ' briuging about the recent revelations.— (A full report of his speech will fee fonnd elsewhere.)
QUKSTIOSS.
In reply to a question, the Hon. W. C. WALKBR said that the matter of providing land for destitute-Natives living at Buller and elsewhere had been referred to commissioners, Considtrab'e progress had' been made, and the commissioners hoped to be able to report before (he end of the year.
In reply to the Hon. Sir G. S. Waitmore, The Hon W. 0. WALKBR stabed that during tfce present session the Government could not promise to introduca a bill to compel lawyers and trust companies to publish their trust accounts like the banks.
TheHon Mr ORMOND asked whether hides were coming into New Zealand "from Queensland, and what steps wera being taken to prevent ths introduction of the tick disease in cattle?
The Hon. W. C. WALKER said that an Order-in-Council was being prepared deslaring tiok to b9 a disease under the Stock AcS of 1893. Meantime inspectors had strict orders to examine all hides coming from that colony.
In the House of Representatives to - day, after questions had been disposed of, *• warm debate followed on a motion that Sir W. Buller's petition should be printed. At the instance of the Government, the debate was adjourned for & month. A motion by Mr O'Ragan, affirming that no more Crown lands should be sold and that the tenure be on lease in perpetuity with revaluation, was rejected. Mr Russell was equally unsuccessful with his request for a return giving some particulars of the securities held by tha Bank of New Zealand. In the evening, despite Ministerial opposition, Mr Pirani succeeded in carrying the second reading of his bill providing for hearing complaints against the polico force before a magistrate. Mr M'Nab's Divorce Bill was alto read a second time, but Mr W. Hutobison could only find 10 others to go into the lobby with him in support of his Bible Reading in Schools Bill, Dr Newman also failed to get a majority for his bill to permit women to sit in Parliament. ' BEPMES TO QUESTIONS.
Replying to Mr G. Hutchison, if the MinJ*s€i fer Agriculture intends taking immediate steps to pteTcat the importation, iato this colony of
hidei and other articles likely to harbour the germs of the disease known as cattle tick, now prevalent in oer'tain parti of Australia, y The Hon. J. M'KENZIE said the Government were doing all they oould in this matter, and everything would ba done to prevent ths disease coming in.
Replying to Mr G. W. Russell, if the Government hive been advised by the Crown l»w officers as to whether the officers of tha Bank of New Zealand will be compellable to givo evidence before the Banking Committee as to the traniactions of that back prior to the country being interested in the bank,
The Hon. Mr SEDDON snid tbe Government hfid not at>ked the advice of the law officer* on the question, nor did they intend to do so, as this was a matter of privilege and rested with the Speikws of both Houses. Replytog bo Mr Buddo, whether the Minister for Laads had considered the adviiability of advertising in the principal papers in the colony all lands offered under the Land for Settlements Aofc. in lieu of the " Crown Lands Guide," whioh had now coated p ibl:c*tion, The Hoo. J. M'KENZIE said the Govern, ment did tufikiently. advertise those laud^, and he was not aware that any. person had suffered owing to the lands offered not' being sufficiently advertised. ■■• Replying to Captain Rufsel), if the Premier will introduce' a bill to aoae.nd the Defence Aob so as .to define the duties of, the conamauddr of the foTcep, snd to enable the Defence Mhmtsr to enter into epgagemeofs for filling that office from time to time for periods not extesdiDg five year's, The Hon. Mr SEDDON said if a bill were introduced' dealing wi'-.h this question it would not be confined to that question a'one ; but if time permitted ho would introduce a> bill, although he thought the law' ab present ia force was sufficient. , Replying to Mr Manlin, whsth-r. the Sour miller of the colony have offered to purchase from the Bank of New Zealand, at a valuation to be agreed upon by arbitration, all the floor mills at present ran by the bank, and such off a was refused, because tbe b*nk wants " ledger v^lue " and not the actual commercial value, - The Hon. Mr SEDDON did nob tbiuk ib desir&b'e that they should gc into dettils as regards the management of the bunk, and he had' refrained from asking the bauk for any information on this subject. Replying to Mr Collinr,
The Hon. Mr SEDDON said he regretted that the number of unemployed had increased in Christchurch greatly, bub the Government had d >ne its best to telieve tha mewb necessitous oa<ea by giving them employment; on rail way works.
DIVOKC2.
Mr M'NAB movel the second reading of the Divorce bill to amend., the Uw of divorce. He eaid the bill was nob unknown to the House, as he had last session carried it through Committee in that Chumb^r, »ud ths feating w*s even stronger now thin lasb year. This bill gave three grounds for divcrco— namely, adultery, desertion, and thtit respondent hai been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment or penal servitude for attempting to 'tike the life "of petitioner. He had adopted th>s portion of tho bill, as it. passed last session. When the bill was in Committse he should be glad to explain it) provis'ons. — Agreed to. THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.
Mr W. HUt;CaiSO?T moved the second readtDg of the Bible in Sshools B ; ll to introduce the reading of the Bible'into the public school* He difc'aioied any intention of interfering with our present education system in any way, lathes ths contrary, bub the Education Acb wus not perficb. The bill was nob a clerical measure, and was not instigated "or approved of by the ministers of any denomination. It stood oa ibi own merits entirely. The question of' Bible reading in schools was just now the subject of great di: cassion, and he submitted that this bill was an hoirsb attempt to settle the quentioo. He referred to the f aot that a large number of people in the colouy were in favour of tho Irish Text Book, bub he disapproved of that b :ok, and said his bill distinctly provided for Biblereading in the public irftools of the colony. Ha held there was no difference between them ao to the necessity for religions instruction of the young, and »aid the lack of it was at the present day a sore evil. Thsy could do very little, however, in the way of religious instruction unless it was booked up by Loaco lestons and. home influences. The gist of his bill was that thoae who wished to have the Bftle read in sohools should appoint paid teachers to do so without the State having any responsibility ab all. Bat he felt sure that bhe State would afford all reasonable facilities for instruction of this kind being given. Sir R. STOUT said there could be no objections to the Bible if the lessors were taught before or after soheol hours. Mr Hutchison had told them that the State had notftjoftto do with religion, bub if that were Ba-thetfifoite had no right to compel children to* dtiSad at any particular time fop religions instruction. Ho bad no objeotion to people who wanted the Bible read in schools applyipg for a classroom, but he did .not wact the education system interfered with. He would give .them every facility so long as the sjstetn was net interfered' with. He denied that our children were growing up with a wajib of reverence for their' i parents, and pointed out that men. in ths House day after day showed a wact of reverence for the law by voting iv opposition to the law. How could they i expeat their children to h&va revereuoe for the law if- they themselves did not show them an example P If they wanted to maintain their national life they should uphold their present secular 6y«tem of education at all hazard?, and give tha utmost facilities for all kinds of religious freedom. If Mr Hutchison agreed to an amendment that religious instiuotiou should ba given either before or after school hours ha should support it, but otherwise he woald oppose the bill, as he did nob wish to do auytning that would tend to impair our education system, Mr MEREDITH had great reverence for the Bib!e ; but did not agree that it should form part of the echool curriculum. He thought our present system of education was v<jry much puperior to that of tho old country, but it tras not perfect, and he considered ths bill brijre the House would nob injure the present sjssein. This bill if it passed would be reactionary legislation. Mr MACKINTOSH book a similar view. He | advocated the claims of the Roman Catholic portion of the community, and said so large a proportion of the population would nob be insulted any longer. Mr T. MACKENZIE was of opinion that tha Bible should be read in the public schools end children should be taught Scripture history. He did not concur in the bill, and said what they wanted was what prevailed in Ofcagj sume years ago, when the Bible was read every morning without comment. He saw no reason why the Bible should be excladed from schools, and said the reason *hy it was excluded was because a few people in the country succeeded in beeping it out. He regarded tho Bible as the sheet anchor of any country, and ha deplored the want o! reverence amongst ohildxen ia the colony at the present timn. fi«
T
should vo*e for the second reading of the bill because bo believed in its principle. The Hon. J. M'KENZIE paid the question of Bible reading in school's had nover bsen made a patty or Governmanb quaition, and members were perfectly free to vote as they pleaded on it. Sir R. Stout had blamed the Gove-nment for not taking th-. Wd, bit if ho hud spokca in the dabatc he would have been charg'd with bk eking other bills. As far as L\o knew, he did not know how his colleaguss felt on thi9 matter, but he (Mr M'Kiuz'e) had always been in favour of Bible reading in scht ol«, aud he should vote for the bill. In sajing tb°.t he did not wish to bind the Government in any w&y, aud' although this bill was not all that could bo desired if it got into Cjonuit'ej some amendments cculd be made. The motion for fche'seoaad reading was losfe by *3 to 11. " Tbe following is the division list :— Ayes (11). —Messrs Allen. Carncross, Duncan, Flatraau, W. Hatchfeon, T. Mackenzie, J. M'Kennie, M'Nab, Morrison, G. J. Smith, Steward. Nv.es (43).— 8e11. Buddo'. Buick, Button, Uadnian, Carnell, C illins, Crowther, Duiliie, Graham, Green, Hall, Hall-Jonas. Harris. Heke, Hogg, Howstoa,. Joyce, J. W. Kelly, W. Kelly. L*ug, , fcawry, Lewis, Majlin, M'Gowan, R. ,M Ksuzie, M'LachlaD, Meredith. Mills, ftlitchelson, Mouteouwy. Newman, O'Rdgan, Tarata, Pinkerton, Pirimi.'G. W. Rius<sll, W. R. Russell, Seddon, Stout?,, Tanner, R. Thompson, Willis. • .
EXPORTS OF COLONIAL PRODUCE!.
A return laid on the table of the Houie shows tho value of the chief articles ot export last voar to have baen as follows : — Wool, £3,662,131; gold, £1,162.181; grvn of all kinds, £196,796; kauri gum, £418,766 ; butter and chee-ie, £378 510 ; fn zyu meat, £1,262,71.1 ; ' tallow, £260,290. Tae export of gold for 1895 is the largest since 1880. Wool shows the large decrease a3 campared with 1891 of £L150;000, graiu a decrease of £16,000, but the oth<r articles a>l show an inorease. Flax, the valu« of which rose in 1890 to £381,789, has declined to £21,040 for 1895, aud, as was the cace la*t year, is no longer inoluded among the seven ptinoipal artiolts of export. • -
THH WESLEY AN METHODIST CHURCH PROPERTY BILL.
This bill was ag*in cons;d«ed by the Private Bills Committee. It will ba remembered tbab the committee adjourned on Tujs-
day in order to give to the parties concerned an opportunity' ot corniuj to an agreement if posiibU, the result being that an underaUndiog was arrived at whioh took the form of a newclau3e which ii' to bo added to tha original bill. The new clause reads a§ follows :—" And whereas the l*»d described in the schedule hereto (that ie, the schedule describing tha Mount Eden property) ia held upon trusts as yet undeclared by deed, and it i» contended bycortain persous thab such l»nd is not held in. trust for the dono-
miD&t : on known as the United Mtthodist Free Churches : now ib is.- declared that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to declare thab the laud mentioned in bhe echtdu'e harefco is at the tinu. of tbe passing of this act held upon trust for the denomination known as the United Methodist Free Churches or to bring such land within the operation of faction 3 of this ac VunltHS a court of competent jurisdiction ■hall declare that such' property is or has b=en held in trust for or on behalf of tbe said denomination known as the United Methoditt Free Churches." The bill as amended was
passed by the committee today, when both the opponents and promoters of the bill expressed their stuauks to the committee for the careful mannar in. .which they h*d toaductud the business, and also declared themselves satisfied 'with, the result.
THURSDAY,. JULY 9.
In the Legislative Counoil to - day the debate en the motion to set up a committee to inquire into the banking legislation and the affairs of th« B*nk of New Zealand was continued. A committee was appointed by ballot, buttbe-clausfl in the order of reference extending the scope of the inquiry biokto 1888 was rejected.' The: motion wa» alto altered so Chat tbe inquiry would 1 include- negotiations between members of the Ministry and bank officers.
THE BANK IKQUISY.
The debate on the motion for the appointment of the Banking Inquiry Committed was co&tinued and af uer discussion,
- The motion for the Appointment of & committee was pub.— Carried on the voices, and a bft'lot having been asked for w&s then t»ken.
The SPEAKER stated thatthe Minister for Educa.MoD, as mover, was one of the committee.
Councillors then marked rims names on slips whioh h»d beeu banded round. After a wait of 15 minutes, the SPEAKER anuouneed that; the committee would be cor»pos*d of Messrs Stevens, Ormcnd. Pharazyo, Bowen, Arkttcighb,' Bonur, K'rl-y, Snrimski, RichardHOD, »nd W. O.W«lktr (mover). Tha Honu.'Mi- SHBIMSKI announced that ha resigned from the committee. Tbe tii st order of refereuca (paragraph 1) was Rgteed to on. the Voice*.
Iv murng the adoption of the second order of reference (allowirg the inquiry to go back to 1886) the Hon. W. 0.. WALKER pointed out tbo awkwardness " that would result if two separate tcopes of inquiry were given' to esoh coniinH>r<*,"'and asked' Mr Ortnocd to withdraw his bus g^stion to exciae that order of reference. The Hob. Mr ORMOND could cob accedo to the request, as the matter was one of princiDle.
On a division the clause was etiuck out by 22 votes to 10.
The division list was as follows :—: —
Ayes (10).— Messrs Scotland, Arkwright, Kerr, Rig?, JoDes, lteevej, Feldwick, M'Lean, Montgomery, W. 0. Walker. Noes (22),— Messrs Reynolds, L. Walker, Richardson, Baillie, WMtmore, Acland, Baraicoat, MacGretfor,, Swanfon, Shrimski, Williams, Jeukinßon, Jennings, Kenny, Bonar, Pea ock, Ormond, Stevens, Johnston, Grace, Bolt, Holmes.
CUu;e 3 was then agreed to on the voices.
In clause 4, the Hon. J. MACGRGOR proposed an amendment in order to make the rcope of the. inquiry include ' any negotiations which may-hare at any time taken place betweon the officers of the Colonial Bank, the officsrs of the BftDk of New Zealsnd, and any members of the Ministry. As it was conceivable that negotiations might hare taken place that were not in anyway tfficiil, it was advisable to investigate these also.
On a division, the amendment was carried by 21 votes to 11.
The remaining clauses were then passed.
In the House of Representatives to - day the Oamaru Harbour Board Leases Validation Bill passed through Committee. The Duocdiu Garrison Hall Trustees' Empowering Bill, the Dunedin City Borrowing Bill, th« Caversham Waterworks Account Bill, »nd tho Westporb Harbour Board Loan Bill were all read a second time. In the evening the Inebriates' Institution Bill) Mr Collins'a Divorce Bill, Shearers' Accommodation Bill, and' Unolaimed Moneys Bill were read a second time. The Female Law Practitioners Bill and tho Decansed Husband's Brother's Marriage Bill passed through Committee, Member! then inflicted & defeat on the Premier, on a motion to adjourn,
but at once og*eed to adjourn when the motion came from the leader of the Opposition.
WESTPOHT HARBOUR.
Mr R. M'KENZIE moved the second reading of tha Westporb Harbour Board Louu Bill, to enable the board to increase their borrowing powers to tUe extent of £50, C00 for tbe completion of Ihe hsrbour works at Westport and providing rolling stock and additional railway facilities for the We3tport ta Mokihiuui railway.— Agreed to.
dunedin's overdraft.
Mr PINKERTON moved the second reading of the Dunsdin City Borrowing Bill, to empower the City of .Dunedin to borrow £50 000 He Raid tha bill was called a borrowing bill, but it was iv reality meant to pay o2 tho overdraft and to relieve the taxpayers of Dunedin from taxation.— Agreed to.
inebriates' home.
Mr JOYCE moved the second reading of the Inebriates Institution Bill, to provide for the treatment of iuebriate3. He said tbe bill was the same as that'of last year, arid a debate had taken place on ib on that occasion. The principle on which the bill was fouudad was nob unknown in tho colony, and was established years ago by the Provincial- Governoienb of Canterbury, and was very successful. He trusted the Government would provide an institution attached to an asylum iv this colony, so as to receive people afflicted in the way sought to be remedied by the bill.
Mr MEREDITH supported the bill, and aaid that last year 52 pei'jout were admitted iota asylums suffering from inebriety.' He though. 1 ; it a great pity that persons in this condition should be put with persous hopelessly- insane.
Sir R. STOUT also auppoitsd the bill, and hoped the Government would take the measure up and make ib a Government bilL He knew of cases where people confined as inebriates •were cured after » certain fme.
Mr CROWTHER would nob oppose the bill, bub was not quite sure tint the gaol was nob the right pluce for • perionq of this kind. He wanted to know where the money was to come from for these fattening institutions.
Dr NEWMAN thought the bill was a good one, and he should vote for- it. He thought however, Mr Joyce would find himself unable to proceed with the bill, owing to want of money to carry it out. These institutions were calculated to do a great deal of good. Ho would suggest tbab power should be given to confine a man or woman in an inebriate institution for at least 12 months. It might also be p-oved that men ;vnd women in these asylums might be made to do some profitable woik, the proceeds to bo devoted to the maintenance of those dependent on them. ■
- Mr JOYCE pointed out that an inebriate institution was established in Canterbury many year* ago, and would still exist were it not for the abolition of the provinces. It was carried out most succestfully. Th 9 motion was agreed to. SHKABERS' ACCOAIMODATrOS.
The Hon. W. J. STEWARD moved the second reading of the Shearers' Accomracd&tion Bill, to provide for the proper acoommodstion of shearers. He explained that the bill had previously passed the Houie. It was fairer than the Factory Ach, as it provided that the*tipendis»y. magistrate should be the referee bebwoan the inspector aud- employer. The bill would not apply to.^henriog sheds in which the total number of sheitrers employed«is leea thau four. Mr FLATMAN supported the bill, but paid it w&8. deficient in many respects. He point-, d put- se\,ewl objections, he -had fco.-thebill, bat eaid th« principle of it was good..
Mr DUTHIE hoped the government would take, this matter in hand and shape it bo that ereiy man would know the law of the country, instead of leaving it to inspectors* who in many cases did not know what to do but to harass p< ople. Mr MASLIN supported the bill, and s*id ib was iv the interest of all parties that proper accommodation should bo provided, so that an employer might know what he-had to do or the shearer what he had to expect. It was nece:ssry, also, that a wind and weather-proof building, properly ventilated, should be provided.
Mt- COLLINS supported the bill, and* hoped it would become law this year. Thuy all knew that some employers did cob provide R.T.ple accommodation for their shearers, but there were others who did. He thought ib should be provided, however,' that the inspection should take' place not later than the 30 h November.
Jtfr WILLIS supported the bill, and said he had heard no complaints in the matter of inspection.
Mr T. MACKENZIE differed from the last speaker, and said the Government had sent inspectors all round the couatry to annoy re.-peslable 6mall settlers. In many oases settlers did not know what was required of them. As to providing proper accommodation for shearer*, na one would refuse that, but he protested again* t people being perpetually annoyed by these inspectors-. He strougly objected to Chinamen . being employed as shearer*-, and hoped the bill would contain a clause providing for separate sleeping accommodation for shearers apart from that provided for Chinamen.
Mr MILLS said tbe accommodat'on.. for shearers was very superior now bo what ib was formerly, and he was pleased to see that this bill defined what was- to be expected from employers. H* approved of the bill because he considered the Factory Act was not the proper place for provisions relating to the iuspection <f shearers' accommodation. If, however, tha inspection were held not later than . March 31 it would probably lead to cases bting established agattut owners, and he thought the inspection should be some time in November. The b'll would, he thojghb, be satisfactory alike to both employers aud shea-era.
Mr J. W. KELLY objected to- constables performing the duty of in<pecboi'3, and said it was not the duty of the police at all. Ho'sub- ' mitted that independent inspectors should be obtained if it was to be satisfactory, and he hoped under this bill proper accommodation would be provided, as well as proper inspection. •
Mr BUCHANAN said the Government frequently appointed policemen as inspectors for political purposes, which was to be strongly deprecated. Ha sympathised with the object of the bill, and would move in Committee that the inspectors employed should not be policemen. The motion was agreed to. DIVORCE.
Mr COLLINS moved the second reading of the Divorce Act Amendment Bill, enab'ing a wife to petition for divorce upon' any ground ob which her husband may do so under tho present act. He explained that the bill pawed the House lsst session without division, &nd this year ib was still more advanced. Ho had thought of dropping his bill in favour of that of Mr M'Nab, but subsequently decided to let bis bill go to the second reading. Ib simply equalised the sexes in the matter of applying for a divorce. — The motion was agreed to. UNCLAIMED MONEYS. • r •
Mr JOYCE moved the second reading of the Unclaimed Moneys Bill to provide for giving publicity to information relating to unclaimed
fund? and for other purposes. He said tha bill wan taken up by the Government last year end passed the House, but received its quietus iv the other Chamber.— Agreed to.
IU COMMITTEE.
Th* Ftmale Law Practitioners Bill was committed and passed without amendmeut. The Dec- used Husband's Brother's Marriage Bill waß committsd and passed without <9r*tion,
THE BANKING INQUIRY.
The action of the Legislative Council in striking out the clause io the proposed order of reference authorising the committee to go back to 1888 in examiuiug the affairs of the Bank of N<iw ZanMd, and ia otherwise altering the original motion of the Government, has considerably complicated the situation. The motion carried by the House of Representatives empowered the committee to confer with the committee ssfc up by the Council. It has been up to the present geuerally uaderstcod that the two committees would tit tigether and heat the same evidence, but now the Council has very materially altered tao order of reference, it seems tint the two committees., must act . without reference to each other otherwise Couuoil membera would have to withdraw or at aDyr&te refrain from taking any part in the pro* caedings when tha scope, of their order o? reference was exceeded. There appears to be two alternatives— (l) either the committees may sit together except wheu mattors included in the clause rejeoted by tin Council are unde.r cou•sider&tion, or (2) the matter may be referred back to the Lower House with a view to o. mutual agreement. In' connection wth this matter Mr G. Hutchison is to ask the Premier whtn he, as mover of the motion for the Banking Committee, intends to convene the flwt meeting.
ELECTOR IL REFORM.
The preferential voting aud propoitjonal representation introduced by Mr OR >gan provides for a division of the colony into large electoral district?, e*ch returning six mitntars, the elections being conducted on the principle of what is known as the Hire system. Elecoors ate to vote for candidates in the order of tbeir preference, by writing numbers on tha ballot pipers agaiaeb the names of tha' candidates ihey vote for. The number of' vo'ers is then divided by the numbsr of vaoancies and divided, and the dividend ooustitutat the quota necessary ta seoure the return- of a candidate. All votes ab jvc tha quota ace added to tha votes received by tha candidate next in order of tha eltctors' preference. Tho bill also propwe* that in the event of a vacancy occurriug during tha lie of a parliament no bye-tltotion should bo hold, but the seat should be. given to tbe candidate next in order .on tbe poll. The Hon. T-W. Hislop in 1889 introduced a bill embodying the same principle.
THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.
Mr Grayton (Mr James Huddart'a representative in tbe colonies) is " at present in Wellington, and has been interviewing the Premier in regard to a aubsidy of £20,000 to bring the Vancouver seivice via New Zealand. I think lam -safe in predicting that nothirg is likely to come of Mr Grayeou's mission 4° view of a depleted Treasury and the fact that Ministers are too busily engaged in fbrmulatiuK measures that will appeal more directly to the votersof the colony at the forthcoming general election. In any C4se, ib is not at all likely that the House and country will go back' on the San Francisco service. Indeed, there is a. pretty strong feeling in some quarters thab the Goveri Hunt should offer more liberal support to this line so that better and spsedier steam jm th-ui those at present engaged might ba employed. THE ABSOLUTE MAJORITY VOTE BILL.
This bill makes provision that no person shall be elected a member unless an absolute majority of the votew vote for him. To effect this object the voting paper has cartaia additions to its"''preoent form. Ttte- voter vote 3in the first instance as now, bub' is allowed to indicate after the names struck out the 'order in which he prefers tho rejected candidates. The votos are counted in the ordinary manner in tho first place. If it is found rh&t tha men lequirod have uot an absolute majority, the bottom raadidabe and all the men • rrnxh to him whose votes add-jd to bin -own do nob nuke up an absolute majority aw decmtd defe*tf d ciui<iidabe9. All who vote for defeated candidates hiva thsir paper j again examined, and their most preferable surviving oftudidate substituted for the defeated one. If this does cob produce an absolute majority for one man, the count is repeated until ultimately the leading candidate has an absolute majority. The system applies equally to the city electorates.
SECURITIES HELD.
A return laid on the table of the House, in accordance with section 6 of "The Public Revenues Act 1895," givesa list of the securities held in the colony and in England as on March 31 last. Tbe totals- of securities held in tbe col', ny are:— Post Oifice, £2,379,750; Government Insurance, £1,483,122 ; Public TruA £736,400 ; Advances to Settlers Office, £595 004; Commissioners of Public Dsbts Si- ki> g Fuads, £145,930; the. Tr^wiry, £29.062.; -total, £5,389,266. The totals held'in Louden are :— Poib Office, £1,202,000; Governing Insurance, £49,4,300 ; Public Trust, £20,400 ; Advances to Settlers, £143,908 ; sinking fund.*,. £39,400 ; Tn-asury, £1,061,017 ; — total. £2,96 L 025. G.-and total iv London and Ntw Zealand, £8,330,291.
OLD AGE PENSIONS.
There continues to be a good deal of criticism of tha old age pensions scheme formulated by the Government, generally of an adverte nature. Ytsterday I gave yoa Mr EamshaVs opiuion, and since then I havo teen Mi' William Hu'chinon, who has for some time pas!; taken an interest in tho question. Mr- Hutchison thinks the details of the bill are unnecessarily, complicated and roundabout-, and said :— " Tbe class of persons to be pensioners should be defiuitely ffxeJ by the act, and tha stipendiary magistrate would be more able to Bee that applicants fulfil the statutory requirements. Tue alternative modes of raising the money for the pensiou fund will be a sou'ee of weakness. This should ba fixed. I was originally in favour of a primage duty on all imports, free* as well es dutiable. It is easily available, and, can be inexpensively collected. Public opinion, however, does not' appear to favour it, and confined to 1 per cent, as the bi,l indicates, it would fall far short of the necenuary amount. One per cent, on dutiable importß would give about £45,000. On »ll imports it would give something over £65 000. I have nob had lime to go over the new jasus return*, bub I shall not be Far wroi'g if I venture to say that throe times the latter amount will be required for ft pension fund. But tlese are mere details. I am glad to say that in my opinion tho principle of the bill is absolutely correct. It is a pensions bill, nob a proposal in any form for superannuation allowances or annuities to which beneficiaries are expected at any tima to contribute. Mr Seddon happily lias abandoned even his latest opinions on this point, and this bill thus runs on entirely different lines from
any that have hitherto received favour from politicians. It is on the basis of the scheme proposed by Mr Broadhurst in the abortive report of the English Royal Commission on this subject. It has also been outlined by Mr Booth. It is a pension scheme to bs entirely maintained by the State. I emphasise this point, because it forms at once the strength and the weakness of the bill: its strength because working people cannot, as a rule, contribute lo any such scheme ; its weakness because it will be fiercely attacked by political economists as being opposed to thrift, and the whole hoard of petty maxims as well as on account of its cost." • JOTTINGS. Mr. Collins has heard that the vegetables used at Bellamj's are grown by Chinese, and would like to see only European-grown vegetables used there in future; Major Steward is agitating to have the railway rate on bicycles— now £10 a-year— reduced to £5.
Mr Buddo wants to know if the Miaister for j Railways will taks into consideration the question of lowering the rail "charges made on other .products for export, more especially as fr\s;an meat is sent by rail all the year round in the South Island^ while-most of our other products j for export only use the railways fora portion of the year. Mr Thomas Mackenzie states, that the inspectors down south are almost as^uumerous as the rabbits. " "•
Mr Green is inquiring into/ the removal oE Constable Bird from Waikpuaiti, fthsre heatiitea he was giving great satisfaction"*
'FRIDAY, JULy.IO.
la the Legislative Council ro - day the Representation Bill passed tbro.igh all Htag~a. Tee bill to amend the Criminal Code by laising .the age of consent paused its second reading, only five members opposing it.
AGE OF CONSENT.
The Hon. W. C. WALKER moved the second re»ding of the Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill, the principal sect oa of which is de-igned to raise the age of content from 1\ to 16 years. After a short discussion the second reading was carried. by 26 votes to 5, the " Noes " being Messrs Shrimski, Rigg, M'Lean, Steveru, and Ormond.
In the House of Representatives to- day, after questioos had bean disposed of, a discussion took place on banking matters, ending in the Premier's motion to admit the pres* to the inquiry by the Banking Committee being carried. In the evening mos-t of the time was out to w/ste in Committee on the Biting on the Unimproved Value Bill, whioh was finally passed.
REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.
" Replying to Mr Dubhie, whether the whole of the Bank of New ZosUnd cmtingency fund acoouut, amounting to £200,000, aa piovided by the act of lust session, wad exhausted on 3lsc March last, or what balance was than unappropriated, The Hon. Mr SEDDON said he had already stated to the Ho ass that it was not advisable to put details of this kind "before the House. He could cay, however,' fiab the amount was far from being exhausted a1;a 1 ; that date. Replying' to -Mr- Montgomery, if the Government iutend to add to the colonial debt the whole amount' of moneys' advanced "to local bodies under the " G^vernaient'Loans" to-LcCftl Bodies Act 1836" by means of ' continuing 1 to issue debentures against the local bodies' sinking fund, The Hon. Mr SEDDON "said some members of tbe Hou3» would Jike t • nee the Treasurer involved in fiuuacial ma teis, but he oould not to-day anticipate the Fiuancial Statement by answering questions of this kiud. Revising to Mr Dubhie, how much of the profit of tbe Bmlc of New Zealand for the year ending March 1896, which is shown by the balance sheet to be £52,576, came from the Estates Company,
The 'Hon. Mr SEDDON s»id he would not reply to questions appertaining to detiils of the Bank of New Zealand management. Replying to. Mr Dathie, as to whether the Colonial Treasurer's attention had been drawn to the cabled advioe of the customs revenue of Great Britain for ls.it- quar'er, and whether it is nob possible to improve the efficiency of hts department so as to »ffotd equally prompt information to the people of the colony,
The Hon. Mr SBDDON said all the returns except the last quarter's had' been published, and this could not be done till the year's accounts were certified to by tbe auditor. This was tbe law at present.
R«pl;icg to Mr Duncan, who asked if the Minister for Defence will bring in a bill to e^ablish a board of appeal for the police of the colony, so thao they may havo the same advantages as tail way servants, The Hon. Mr SEbDON swd they muSb have discipline in this set vice, and if they bad an appeal board matters would ba worse than ab prestnt. Replying to Mr Flatman, if it is intended to move in the direction of establishing a, State farm,' with the view of giving employment to tho c who are unfortunately out of work,
The. Hon. Mr SEDDON said'the Government intended to bring in a bill giving power to take suitable land foe settlement, which he thought would relieve the unemployed.
Replying to Mr Lang, whether the Government intend to introduce the Beet Sugar Bill tbiftse'sion,
Th-! Hon. Mr SEDDON said the Government durir g tbe recess had received valuable information on this important industry. It was now under consideration, and if the state of business admitted, a .bill would ba brought down this sessidn to deal with it.
Replying to Mr Allen, if it was intended to (introduce a bill this session dealing with the classification 1 of railway employees, The Hon. Mr CADMAN said he intended doiug so.
Raplyingto Mr Allen, The Hou. Me SEDDON said the two field Nordenfeldt guas were removed from Dunedin on. the advice of the military adviser, and sent to Neteon for the ÜBe of the battery.
• RATING ON THE UNIMPBOVKD VALUE. On the motion for the third reading of the Rating on Uuiin)n-ov<d Value Bill, The Hon. Mr SBDDON moved that the bill be recommitted for the purpose of reconsidering clauses 3 and 10, and also to insert a new clause to follow clnusa 18. Mr O'ItEGAN moved Ih&t clause 2 be also reconsidered. Tbe Hon. Mr SEDDON hopad Me O'Rcgan woulrl be reasonable. If clause 2 was rtcomoiittrri it would reopen the whole discussion, aud hi was »ntious to send the bill up to the Couucil as it had very little work to do. Mr O'Regan'a ame ndmenb was carried by 31 to 29.
The bill was then recommitted,
CUusc'2, interpretation.— Mr O'Reqan moved that improvement 1 ! should include reclamation. —The Hon. Mr Sedoon said this amendment would render the bill a dead letter, and he hoped the Committee would not accept it. Reclamations were undoubtedly improvements, and ta
fax them wonld be most illogical.— After a vary lengthy discussion the amendment was losfcby 33 to 29 —Mr Tanner moved that embankments be included in improvements.— The Honi Mr SEDDON'opposed the amendment, and Mid it would m&ke the bill a fuco. Lost by 2D to 27.— Mr G. W. Russell moved to inofods tramways as improvements. Lost by 32 to 22. — Mr Duthib moved fch&t. railways be included. He specially instanced the Manan&ta railway as likely to tuff- r hardship under this bill.— « The Hon. Mr Seddon opposed the ameudmenfr, and said there were other lines as well as the Manawatu line which would ask for exemption. After further discussion, the Hon. Mr Srddok Appealed to the Committee to let the bill proceed. He said they had now wasted tiro'houn over it, and members could reserve theii| speeohes for the third reading of the bill.— Mi; Button moved thab tbe Chairman leave the chair. Lost on the voices.— Mr Duthio'i amendment was lost by 29 to 22. — Mr Bottom moved that gas pipes be included. Lost, — Ms O' Regan moved to strike oub bhe words that " improvements do not include the reclaiming of land from the sea." Lost by 25 to 20, L and the clause passed without alteration. ■ Clause 10 was slightly amended. A' new clause was added to the bill, which was ordered- to' ha reported, with amendments.
The Gold Duties Act Amendment Bill wad committed, and passed without alteration.
On the motion that the mtjng on Uoiinproned Value Bill be read a third time.
Mr N O' REGAN Bpoke at some lengthy* ew; plaining that he approved. of thaprinoiplaofc the bill, brfft regretted that recUmationf frorff-tite •ear were Hot iacludtd ftfl-improvameatff.c'He detftiled s^vci-aI other obiecttous he had to thY
Mr TANNER said the primary recommendation*) of tho biil t> his mind was. its optional oharact- r, bat the grealesb obj» cbion he had to it was the d^fmiJion of improvements.
Captain RUSSELL said the debate that had taken place oa the bill proved that there was no demand by the people for rating on tho unimproved va'ua. There was no principle ia it, and they were not all clear as to the dpfiaitJon „ of improvements. The effect of paesing * bill of thi-j kind'Wf-uld, in the matter of charitable aid at any rat-, be moot unjust. Mr ALLEN held ih*t the bill was nob required, otherwis-3 the Premier would not awe re r u<ed tbe amendments * proposed by Me O'Regtn. He did not think the bill would be adopted very largely iv tha oolony, as it only mount taking taxation off la-ge building* in towns to the detriment of small holdings.
Messrs Eun^h&w, T. Mackeuz"o, Piranf, Fraser, and Hall al*o spoke, on the bill. The Hoa. Mr SEDDON replied' to several of the arguments used against 'the "bill, v and twitted the Opposition with having opposed the bill, although ib was only of a permisiive character. If Mr O'Regan's amendment* had been cirried, he (Mr Seddou) believed no local body in the colony would buve adopted ib, and ib w»3 vistlesi to pas* a sham ihe v^ure. If the bill was found to work badly in practice, that would be the time to amend ib. He held that the biil wai demanded by the country, and tte majority in favour of ib was increasing. The motion for the third raadiug wsu carried by 37- to 8. -..'• "' • BANKING AF-FAIRS." ' •
The R-emier inbiinated plaidyto-'dty fcSafc he would re p use to *mwec qu^S'ioag ia ie ard fed the details of the bminesa o£ tha Bank of New Zealand
la ins wee to a question- by Mir G. Hatchiioa, the Premier ttvted that he hoped to: call .tbe Banking Committee together on Tueßday, bn6 that not meeting with Mr Hufcbison's views, he said be would have no objection to tbeir meeting on the follovriug d*y. JSub^cquntlj Ihara was a lengthy debata on the Premier's motion in regard«to the admission of the press to the meetings of tUe Banking Committee, The Premier made a vigorous speech, in reply, and caused -som-jwhafc of a iflrisation when ho' ktated ,ia- regard to. .some pf the- gentlemea opposite that ;not all the Moukey-facetl soap that had ever .been manufac'ured could wa h them tli aa of their trans-act-ioaa with the Bank of New Zealand. . The Premiei'a motion to opm the proceedings ti the prisa, except when the committee is deliberating, was carried by a large majority— 4s to 6.
THE LEFrWING.
The Let Wing is still much in evidence, although tfeere is as yet little or no indication of organisation. Me G. W. Rmnell continues to act in a gre*t measure as mouthpiece of the party, though the others decline to accept his leadership. Yesterday Mr Russell waited upon the Speaker, and asked that a room ba set apart for the Middle party, several of wkom were f-xe'uded from the Government room*, but having nothing in common with the Opposition, except peihips hotifiiy to the Government, bad no place in the ap u-toient occupied by the Opposition. The Speaker granted Mr Rucsell'B request, but another member of the party iuforms me that Mr RuS3ell was not authorised by tho Radicals to approach tha Speaker, and that he, for one, desired to special 'accommodation. I understand th*t Mr Russell believ. 8 the Radicals will come back at least 14 htrong after tho coming electiots, and that they will holdthe balance of power. The Promuw ■ ironically re rerßr erB to the now combination ar th« Left' Wiug of the Opposition.
MR G. HUTCHISON AND THE OPPOSITION.
The Ipader of tfco Opposition took occasion to-diy t-j ixplsin the action of his pwty in .walking out of the House a few day» a.50 when the proposal thab Mr G. Hutchison's, name be added to the Banking Committee was put to the House. He said the Oppcsirion ou that occasion were not actuated by any feeling of personal antagonism to Mr Hutchison. > They felt thab the order of reference' would not be. approved by tho' country, and as one of their mosb trusted members had'ber-u expressly barred from aoting, they determined to take no part in the selection of the. committee. Later on Mr Hutchison, referring to the same matter,, said his action iv going on the committee had been misconstrued in many quarters. He need hardly say that he was uot going to shield the Government— (laughter) ;— nor was he going to condemn thtm unjustly. He did not expect the report of the- committee to carry much weight, bub he w&nted to get at tbe facts and let the publio know them, She country could then judge for itself.
THE RADICAL'S REVENGE.
Last night the Premier and his principal supporters did their best to block Mr G. W. Russell's Canterbury College Bill, and eventually succeeded in getting it deferred by carrying a motion to report progress. To-night tha Left Wing and Beveral of the Canterbury members instituted a stonewall in connection with the Premier's Rating on Unimproved Value Bill. There was a good deal of b»ntes between members of the Lefb.Wing and acme of the members behind the Governments benches on the subject of stonewalling, and matters began to get somewhat sultry, when Mr G. W. Russell rose to r«ply to the itona* walling charges levelled at the Left Wing by Mr Hogg, the member for Masteitoiu Mr HoffK'o oMjabilitiea m » stouewallcr. Me well
zltnown, and when Mr Russell began to describe . bfi speeches of the night before as puerile and bbsurd, a laugh went round the Chamber. The Chairman, however, pulled Mr Rusiell up, but Mr Russell continued to get a few shots home, and charged Mr Hogg with stonewalling the Defamation Bill, &<j., and with having emptied the House the other night by his speech on the Inebriates' Home Bill. The Chairman, however, again pulled the member for Ricc&rton up with * ronnd turn, and the Committee went on with other amendment*. At half-past 10 the Committee had not got beyond olause 2 of the bill, and Mr Button, jast before the sapper adjournment, raised a Jaugh by proposing that the word ♦• gas pipes " bs inserted. Major Harris, however, turned the laugh very neatly against Mr Button by asking if, when the question was put, it would not be necessary for the hon. member to leave the Chamber.
After the supper adjournment the Canterbury members ceased their opposition, and good progress was made with the bill in Committee. The Premier, in moving the third reading, which was carried by 37 to 8, made a foroible speech in support of the measure, and after the division at 10 minutes to 1 the House adjourned. THE REPRESENTATION COMMISSIONS.
The Premier stated to-day that he had some difficulty in obtaining two unofficial members for each of the Representation Commtsiions. These unofficial members are to be nominated .by .the House of Representatives, and muet not ba either members pf Parliament or members of Che civil service. Mr Seddon said he found it very diffioult to get gentlemen unconnected TMth-politics who had the kind of knowledge for redividirig the electorates. He desired members of the House to' mention any name* to him privately. I uoderitand that Captain Russell intends to nomioate Dr Giles, formerly resideot magistrate at Auckland, as one of the unofficial members of the North Island Commission. PUBLIC REVENUES BILL. ' A bill has been introduced to amend the Public Revenues Act. -The bill is mainly of a technical character, and, in accordance with the reoommendalion of the Auditor-general, the public account is made to comprise not only, the consolidated and public works fund, but also every other fund or account that may be directed by. act to be p»id into the public fund. It is also provided that if within tbree months after the commencement of the finaao'al year no act is passed' appropriating money for the eervioe thereof, the Treasurer may, until such aot is passed, issue and pay moneys with certain limitation! during the three months, but no longer. The times for issuing the quarterly and yearly abstracts of the public account* are changed and extended, and new provisions are made for auditing. The second paragraph of section 6 of the Public Revenues Act is repealed, and a clause substituted providing that if the Audit Office find* any money administrable by any local body has been expended or applied without lawful authority, then unless such local authority acted in good faith, and under legal advice, the amount shall be surcharged upon all the members jointly . and severally who shall fail to satisfy the Audit Office that the money was so expen Je 1 without their knowledge, or in spito of^ their written protest made at the time. '< JOTTINGS.
Mr Dafchie presented a petition this afternOon from members of the various Working Men's Clubs ia the colony objecting to the proposed legislation in regard to clubs in the bill introduced by the Premier. The present law, they maintain, is ample tor the efficient control of clubp. Tho petition of Ann Carswell, who claims to be the first child born of British parents in the colony and wishes a section of land as a homestead, is referred to the Government for consideration. .The Premier is introducing The Juvenile Depravity Prevention Bill. Mr Pirani is inqiiriog in re a' retiring allowance, for Mr Barron, late chief of the Hansard it»ff. Mr W. Hutchison wants to know why the Government are opposed to a committee of inquiry into the working of the co-operative system ai it is carried out on the various public works of the colony. Mr Seddon, it is stated, h*s received a requisition to stand for Palmereton North, Mr Pirani's constituency. Dr Newman wants a return of the nanns of persons who have received free railway passes for the last year ; alto, a return giving a lilt of all special trains and the cost of each train for 1895 and 1896. . The Petitions Committee report; that Jessie Kelly, of Porb Chalmers, has no claim against the colony on account of hot late husband's services. The Waste Lands Committee recommend that the petition bf John Colvin, of Dunedin, be referred to the Government for considera-
tion. .- Petitioner claims that his title to certain
land was wrongfully vested in the n corporation of the City of Dunrdin and was successfully proved, and that in endeavouring to establish his rights he incurred expen-es amounting to £100. He therefore prayed for relief. A return laid upon the table shows that according to the census of 1891 the total population ef the colony of 65 years aad npwards was 14,342, of which 8J36 were ma lea aud 6006 females. The ages of tho psople given ia this year's census have not yet been totalled, but the total number of the age of 65 aud upwards is expected to be betweeD 17,000 and 20,000. It will be remembered that 65 is the age at which a person becomes entitled to a pension under the Government scheme.
Mr Crowther thinks the time is arriving very i fast when the Left Wing-.will have to be dipped. In wgard to the petition of *W. Sinclair Waterston, of luvercargill, owner of the ships • Alexa and Ganymede, the Pdtitions Committee report that as the facts of tbe case appear to be* of an intricate and complicated nature requiring expert knowledge, and the matters at issue of an important character to the shipping interests of the colony, they recommend that the Government should institute a judicial inquiry into the whole circumstances of the case. The petition relates to tha decision of the collector of customs in regard to a case brought by seamen who were left behind by the petitioner's vessels. The Petitions Committee report that William Merton and Marion de Weston, of Christchurch, who petitioned for relief on account of alleged injuries received from a detective of the New Zealand, polica foroehava no claim •gainst the colony. A similar decision was arrived at last session. /
SATURDAY, JULY 11.
The seoond bill introduced by the Government to restriot the influx of Asiatics into the colony has just been circulated. It is almost identical with the measure rejected by the ■Ijegiilative Council, the only difference being ihat British iubjeots from the, Indian Empire •re new exempted from tb« proriiion of the £oft
CANTERBURY MEMBERS.
The opposition of the Government which led to f the practioal rejection of the Canterbury College Bill is bitterly reiented by the Canterbury members. In revenge they caused Mr Seddon much annoyance and delay in getfciDg his Rating on Unimproved Value Bill through Committee on Friday, and they may be expected to give Ministers much more trouble before the session is over.
A NEW MINING BILL.
The Government's Mining Act Amendment Bill promises to be a most far-reaching measure. It give* the Government power to resume any land, with or without the consent of the owners, for mining purposes at surface value, and throw the same open for prospeojing. It contains a number or other important provisions regarding resumption, prospecting, compensation, &c.
JOTTINGS.
iv;, The Financial Statement is expected to be made towards the end of tho week. Tbere is, of courie, a great deal of speculation as to its probable contents.
.Last sesiion members complained very budly of the delay of the Government in circulating their leading policy measures. There has been a m irked improvement iv this matter this year, and nearly all tho more important Government bills are already in the hands of members.
Mr A. J. M'Gregor, who was senior whip in the last Atkimou Administration, is paying a visit to Wellington. He will contest the Akaroa seat in the Opposition interest against Mi* Joyce at the comiug general election.
Mr Earnshaw says that on four nights this session tha Govern meat have put up its followers to stonewall' bills. >
MONDAY, JULY 13.
It is stated upon what appears to ba Excellent authority that there has brea a serious disagreemenfcinthe Cabinet between ilia Premier and the Minister for Lands. The matter over which the trouble aroie is in connection with the Horowhenua Commission and Sir Walter Buller.
It is well known that the Minister for Lands, once he sets his mini upjn ferreting out anything, sticks to his f uua and works at it with determined pertinacny. In connection with the charges he Ins made against Sir Walter Bailer ■it is an . open . secret that the ' Minister has several things "up his •leeve," .which he is very desirous of bringing out on the floor of. ...the House, and in connection with this matter it is said that be was rather annoyed when he was pulled up by the Speaker the other day. It will be remembered that the Minister referred to the writer of a leading article in the Post about Sir Walter Bullsr as " a base liar," and that Sir Maurice O'JRorke made him withdraw the words. This appears to have rankled in the Minister's mind, and the statement is that Mr M'Keneie- was deiirou? of reverting to the subject and making matters pretty warm all round on Fridiy afternoon. Evidently, however, he was dissuaded from this by hi* chief. It is alleged that some warm words. ensued between them,' and it wns noticed the Minister for Lands did not take his seat in the House during the day, though tbore is no queatioa of policy involved. Relations have since been somewhat ■trained, and there is an idea abroad that on Tuesday tUe Minister .may make a scene in the House over this matter. Probably, however, his- chief will by that timo have poured oil on the troubled waters. Nevertheless it is pretty certain that before the session is over we shall hear a good deal more of Horowhenua and other land transaction!), and some forcible language from the Minister for Lands on the subject.
THE FINANCIAL SITUATION.
The political atmosphere is more serene than it baa been for some time p&Bt. Interest still centres around the banking inquiry and the approaching Financial Statement;. The Statement, it is expected/ will be delivered on Tuesday, and there is a great deal of speculation as to the contents of this year's Budget. Sir Robert Stout's declaration that there must be either inoreased taxation or further borrowing is believed to be not very wide >of the mark. Sir Robert has gone very carefully iato figures, and makes out that there is a net deficit of £109,865, and an increasing public debt. It is difficult to see in what direction taxation can be increased. The graduated tax may ba regarded as already .at high water mwk, and any increase in that direction would almost mean confiscation, while to increase' tho ordinary land tax or to lorrer exemptions would raise a great outcry from the whole of the agricultural and pastoral community. A lowering of exemptions in regard to incomet would also be unpalatable to a great number of the electors. Further, it is the general opinion that the ordinary customs duties will hot stand any iucrea.se ; indeed, the duties on many of the necessaries are at present regarded ,ai too high, and in view of the , trouble caused by ; tinkering with the tariff lasi seision it is not likely that further experiments will b9 tried in this direction. In addition t? y a depleted Treasury Jbhe Government, have also to face numerous applications for roads and bridges, and this, too, on the eve of a general elestion. Under all these circumstances the question of the momeut is, What will the Premier do? And there is naturally a good deal of speculation as to what the new Budget will contain.
THE BANKING INQUIRY.
As to the Banking Committee, the lino of procedure is not yet decided upon. The Premier is very anxious to meet the Lords before deoidiog anything. The proceedings to-day were merely of n formal character. One thing is evident, however, and that is that with Mr George Hutchison on the committee the Premier is not going to have matters all hie own way. Mr Hutchison is a gentleman of marked ability, and as he is naturally' of an inquiring turn of mind, very few points of importance' are likely to escape his notice. He and Mr Maslin appear for the present to stand alone, but it is just possible that before long some of the other members may come round to their way of thinking. After the proceedings to-day one pretty longheaded member of the committee — a Government nominee, by the way— was heard to remark that he " did not like the look of things at all." As the principal parties interested are to be represented by counsel, the proceedings are likely to be long drawn out. Indeed, the Premier and conic mambars of the committee seem to dread the appearance of the legal fraternity on tho icnne, and a suggestion was made that counsel should put their questions to witnesses through the chairman. One member of the committee went so far as to .say that the lawyers might arrange amongst themselves to i protract the proceedings to such an extent by cross-examination that the iuquivy would bo rendered abortive — in ihort, that they might set up what hi parliamentary phraseology is known as a stonewall. There is considerable doubt as to whether tho two committees will see their way
dear to arrange for jolufc »i things. At present everything points to their sitting independently.
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Most of the Government following to whom I have spiken to-day anticipate that the Financial Si*tfluien6 will be delivered on Friday. I think, however, the probabilities aro that we shall bear it to-morrow (Tuesday). It will be remembered that the Premier promised the House that it would be brought down on Tuesday, and in his new rule of Colonial Treasurer I think he will be found up to date in this matter. I know for a fact that Ministers have to-day spant a great deal of fcboir time in Cabinet, and the Financial Statement was under discussion. No doubt its various points were finally crifcic:s»d and the finishing touches put on it to-night, for Ministers conbiuued in conference till a late hour. It is just possible, however, that something may delay its appearance at the last moment, though this is doubtful.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2211, 16 July 1896, Page 21
Word Count
14,371N.Z. PARLIAMENT. Otago Witness, Issue 2211, 16 July 1896, Page 21
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