WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15.

Otago Witness, Issue 2286, 23 December 1897, Page 27

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15.

The Legislative Council on Wednesday passed the Government Emergency Loans to Local Bodies Bill. The Victoria College Bill, establishing a college at Wellington, was read a second t'me. la the evening the Aid to Public Works, Wcstport . Harbour Board Loan, and Water Supply Bills were passed, and the AUen Immigration Restriction Bill read a seond time.

BILLS PASSED,

The Water Supply Act Amendment Bill, Aid to Public Works Acb Amendment Bill, and Wes f port Harbour Board Loan Bill passed their final stages.

In the House of Representatives on Wednesday a motion wai carried that bills and other business should ba taken up next session ab the stage at which they were left when the present session is closed. The Cyanide Bill, Cheviot Estate Bill, and Mining Companies Acb Amendment Bill were put through Committee. The Bmking Bill was under consideration when the telegraph office closed.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

Replying to Mr J. Alien, whether the Hinisbjjr

for Defence will arrange for railway paisea for volunteers travelling in uniform for the purpose of shooting matches with other volunteers,

The Hon. T. THOMPSON said he could not agree to the request on account of its cost, bub the matter would- receive the attention of the new commandant.

Replying to Mr M'Guire, • The Right Hoa. Mr SBDDON said ib would ba impossible to reduce the rate of interest below 3 per cent., as that was practically the rate local bodies got their loans for ab present, and he thought they had no reason to complain. Replying to Mr Pirani, whether the Minister for Justice intends to take any action to prosecuts persons alleged to have suborned witnesses to commit perjury in the Horowheaua case before the Native Land Court,

The Hon. T. THOMPSON said no such case had bean reported to the Government, but if it were found any persons had committed perjury in the matter instructions would be given to prosecute. ) Replying to Mr Buchanan, whether the Government will off -r an additional £1000 to the bonus already offered for improved fHxdressing machinery, aad also extend the time within which the bonus can be cl »imed,

The Right Hod. Mr SEDDON said they had no legislation to advance the bonuses, and this matter must remain till such legislation was passed. Replying to Mr Flatman, whether the Minister for Lands will consider the advisability of introducing legisl*tion next tension which will place *ll horses kepb for stud purposes under the inspection of Government veterinary surgeons, The Right Hon. Mr SEDDON said ho should like to ccc drastic measures taken so as to encourage the propagation of good horses for stud purposes. Replying to Mr R. Thompson, as to what arrangements are made to give effecb to the Order-in-Council gazetted to prohibit the importation of scale infected citrus fruit, The Right Hon. Mr SBDDON said arrangements were now made to thoroughly iusjmcb this fruib, and io order to do so effectually regulations would noi be strictly enforced for a month.

SECOND READING,

The Hon. Mr HALL-JONES moved the second reading of the Cheviot Estate Disposition Act Amendment Bill. — Agreed to.

The Hon. Mr CADMAN*moved the committal of the C/anide Process Gold Extraction Bill, to assist in the developmen'o of low-grade ores and piomoto the mining industry by acquiring ceitiin patent and other tights relating to the extraction of gold and silver by the cyanide process. — Agreed to,

IN COMMITTEE,

The Cheviot Eitate DiHposition Acb Amendment Bill was commuted.

Clause 4, council may have the powers of a harbour board within the limits of Port Robinson, elicited a lengthy debate, several members objecting to the Caeviot p^opla creating a harbour. — Mr Smith moved that progress ba reported on the bid. — Me Smith's motion was losb after two hours' debate by 42 to 14. — Mr Fikani moved that the Chairman leave the ehaie ou the bill, and said bis reason for doing so was because he heard that afternoon that the House was to hava something to play ■with to-night> in consequence of the Premiers absence from the House. Ho objected to the House being trifled with in tins' way, and that was the reason for moving his amendment. He objected asa to a bill being pissed through Committee so hurriedly which was only ci culafce.d that afternoon. — Tho Hon. Mr HallJones would like Mr Pirani tfc name his authority for ths statement that the Houso was to have something to play winh, and whether ib was made on tho authority of the Premier. As for this bill, it was meaufe to assist small settlers in Canterbury, and for tho life of him he could not understand the opposition to ib — The amendment wai loab on the voitfes.-— Mr Pirani said he should nob expose the Premier to Mr Hail-Jones's wrath by disclosing the source of his information.

Clause 6, annual slateoseat; to be senS to the Minister for La'tuis. — Me P/rani moved a provision that, if a county coutrcil fail to do so, the Audit Office may f uruish it from the couaty record". — Losb on the voices.

Clause 9, certain moneys to be paid to -the council, not exceeding £3500, as the Minister

for Lands thinks fib. —Mr G. Hutchison moved tha*; the words "as may be necessary ' r be inserted instead of "as he thinks fis." — Carried. The remaining claunes were passed. Cyauide Process Gi>ld Extraction Bill committed.

The bill as amended by the Goldfields Committee passed through Committee with slight debate.

MINING COMPANIES BILL.

The Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill w&s'committed. - Clause 6, directors by whose authority debt incurred liable. — Mr M'Gowan moved to strike out the proviso that no director shall be liable for debts which he proves were incurred with-, dnt his knowledge. — Lost by 46 to 4. — Mr R. Thompson regretted to find there were only four members who votad for the interests of the working miner and so many who supported the interests of bogus companies. — Mr Pir&ni moved a new clause that no company formed for mining, purposes shall after the passing of this acb be incorporated under the principal acb.-v-Lost by 44 to 3.

THE B\NKING BILL,

The Bank of New Zealand and Bitiking Act Amendment Bill was committed.

Mr Pirani moved to report progress, in order to go on with the Eight Hours Bill. — Lo3t by 27 to 24.

CHuse 2, board of directors reconstituted. — The Hon. Mi 1 Larnach moved to substitute fiye directors instead of nine. He objected to outside representation on the board. — Mr Moobe moved to strike out the whole clause. — The Right Hon. Mr Seddon thought if there was no occasion for a reconstitution of the board there was no use going on with the bill. Ho considered five directors were not sufficient, and they should have outside representation. What they wanted to do was to strengthen the board and bring it more into touch with the people of the colony. — The Hon. Mr Larnach held that if nine directors were appointed it would have a mischievous effect and be very expensive. — The Hon. Capbain Russell said if they increased the board of directors they would injure tho institution. If they had directors all over New Zealand there would be an imputation that these men were acquainted with the accounts of individuals, and it would introduce the question of political influence. If they could not get a certain number of men to work together, let them geb rid of the bank altogether. He held that whatever happened there should be no political control and no interference by political partisans in a purely commercial concarn. — The Right Hon. Mr Seddon could nob understand Captain Russell's logic. If directors betrayed the confidence of the bank and disclosed its business they must ba men of a very low type. He Ettongly supported the proposal for nine

directorij and said they would ba. more likely to conduct the business of the bank satisfactorily than five. If they left the BarnTof New Zealand in the hands of five gentlemen in one psirt of the colony it would be a great mistake, and wider representation was absolutely necessary. In all concerns directors were in touch with their clients, and the general wish was there should be an extended board of outside directors for the bank. — Mr Moore's amendment was lost on the voices. —Mr Larnstch's amendment to strike out the word "nine" was carried by 34 to 22. — The Hon Mr Larnach moved to insert the word " five." — Tho Righb Hon. Mr Seddon moved to substitute "seven." He could noo accept five and 6aid they might as well leave matters as they were at present. — Mr G. Hutchison asked tb.B Premier whether if five were carried ha would adopt the bill. — Th« Right Hon.' Mr Seddon said he should report progress ou it. He could not accp*; five directors.—" Five" was lost by 29 to 27.— The Right Hon. Mr Ssddon's amendment to iuserb seven directors was losb by 29 to 28.— Captain Russell moved to insert " four." — Lo&t by 30 to 28.— The Hon. Mr Larnach moved to report progress, in orJer to give the Premier an opportunity of making up his miud what number he would insert. — The R'ght Hon. Mr Seddon said he confessed the Committee was more equUly divided on such an important question than he had known for some -time. Ho still thoughb he could carry seven, bub he felt; there was no use going on with the bill that night. That, however, rested with the' Committee. If there were a fuller House he could carry seven, and ,he desired to have, an odd number on the board. — The motion for reporting progress was lost by 37 to 21. — Tho Right Hon. Mr Seddon moved to iuscrt the word "/ifix," and ho should proceed with the bill on tho assumption that there werd Eeven. He should afterwards recommit tho bill to innert seven. — Ctiptain Kussell said if seven were inserted it wouM injure the bank,. He alluded to a question put by Mr Duncan recently respecting the account of the editor of the Otago D*ily Times, which conveyed a direct imputation thab Ministers knew all about the accounts of private individuals. It- was tion the Speaker - refused to allow tho question to be put, bub the question was published all the same, and ib was an improper oue to put in the House. He maintained that tho appointment of a larga board of "directors-.from all parts of the colony must materially injure the b%nk aud induco people to withdraw their accmuts from ib. — The Right Hon. Mr Seddon hoped Captain Russell did nob refer to any of his colleagues, and ho afsc-rted that neither he nor any of his colleagues knew anything about the accounts of anyone in the Bank of New Zealand. No one wan more surprised at Mr Duocau's question being pub than he (Mr Seddon) was, aad the Government could nob answer it, nor was he aware why they were expected to answer ib. He knew nothing about the bnaioess referred to in MrDuncau's question. Whab he wanted was to see the Bankof New Zsalri»d pull through and some financiers t.ako it, o?er out of their hands altogether. He did not think seven directors was a large number, aud he hoped no man would taka a position on tho, board who would perjure himself.- The Govern ment would be very caroful in s^lrcbiag direc" tors, as the eyes of the colony were on them, and the matter was one of great; im- r portance, — Mr Fraser failed to sea why the Premret BhouM iiob pecspt nix directors aud the Chairman tJ h»ve a delibsrative and cashing voie. — Mr Seddon's amendment to insert cix was carried by 38 to 18. —Mr Pirani inovfd thab two directors be appointed by the Govovnor-in-Conufiil instead of five.— Five was struck out on the voices and two lost by the casMiig vote of tho Chairman.

Me Mkredh'h moved bo report progress. — Agrtml to hy 23 to 21,

The Cheviot BttaSe Disposition Act Amendment Bill, Cyanide 'Process Gold Extraction Bill, and Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill p9s c.l fheir Until stages.

RAILWAJf CLASSIFICATION BILO.

The principal provisions of the Railway Classification Bill,* which was circulated this afternoon, are : — (1) Crossing and bridgekeepers are increased to 6i a day instead of 25i a week, with a house, or 303 without. (2) C&rnenbei'd shall be classed as tradesmen of th? ficsb grade in snb-cl if s 2 under the heading " tSecond division, class 2, locomotive " in the said schedule, and as tradesmen of thtf second grade in flub cl iss 3 of the same division under tue heading " Class 3, maintenance." (3) The percentage of enginomen in the first grade is increased from 33 to 50 per cent. (4) Firemen are similarly treated. (5) Apprentices are placed upon the same footing as those iv private employ under the Master and Apprentice Bill as passed on Monday night. (6) Provision is made for the transference of members of any other branch of the civil service to any. office iv the Railway department. This is calculated to excite discirsion in view of the fact that no railway servant can pass from division 2 to division 1 of that service.

THE BANKING BILL.

The fate of the B inking Bill still trembles in the balance. The House in Committee tonight was very evenly divided on the question of the number of directors. The Premier wanted eeven, but was defeated by one vote. Nine, fire, and fonr were also rejected by the Committee, and Mr L»rnacb, at 1 a.m., moved to report progress, but Ibis was lo3t. The Premier then moved to inserb " six," and said he would recommit the bill afterwards to have seven inserted. Captain Russell brought up the question of political control, and referred to the question regarding the editor of the Otago Daily Times and a certain account in tho bank, pub on tho Order Paper by Mr Duncan and subsequently struck off by the Speaker. The imputation, he said, was that Ministers had access to individual accounts. In appointing a large board they were increasing the danger in this direction. The hm. member for Oamaru did not know anything about the question he bad pub $n the Order Paper, and ib wai evidenb that he had been made a tool of by somebody else. Mr Seddon said he hoped the leader of the Opposition was not reflecting upon any of theJMinistry. C*ptain Russell: "It does nob refer to the Premier." Mr Seddon : "If ifc reflects on any of my colleagues ib reflects upon myself", and there is no colleague of mine who would be guilby of inspiring such a. question, and no colleague of mine has the slightest knowledge of the details of the bank's accounts." The Premier went on to advocate a strofig board with a view to getting affairs into such a good condibion that they could get some financiers to take over the institution ; that was what he was working for. Ths division was in favour of #is directors being the number.

THE EIGHT HOURS BILL.

The Premier proposed to go oa with the Eight Hours Bill last night, bat he seemed in a fog about some amendments and clauses that he proposed to abandon, and matters were nob improved by the absence of his secretaries, who had deserted him. The Premier, evidently in an angry mood, withdrew to the Cabinet room apparently to look for some oaDers. cama back

to bis desk in. the House, looked tbera withonft success, and then resumed his feat at the table. There was, howevar, such a chorus of objections, and- so great a demand fo» information which he was unable to satisfy, that he* moved to report progress, though no progress had actually been made. He showed his annoyance by flinging a copy of the Standing Orders along the table, and it tumbled on to the floor. Mr Seddon, on getting up from his chair, again encountered the unoffending book, arfd unceremoniously kicked it along the Chamber. No doubt the Premiet's temper had bien sorely tried.

JOTTINGSc The Hon. John MacGregor made an excellent speech ou the Old Age Pensions Bill in the CouncH. "In New Zealand," heTiaid, "We have no paupers — we have recipients of charitable aid ; we have no workhouses— we hare benevolent' institutions." The Rev. Wna. Bannerman is petitioning tha House to reject the Divorce Bill. Tbe M to Z Petitions Committee has no re* commensal inn to make regarding the petition of Alex. M 'Nought, of Oamaru, Who says he haa suffered grievoU3 wrongs and persecution* through alleged abuse of bankruptcy laws. ■ ' The Petitions Committeo has no recommendation to make regarding the prayer of Sarah Jane Slattery, of Dunedin, who states that she handed to the Colonial B*nk a oartairi share in the Undaunted Mine ab Tinkers, valued at £130, for which she was to reoeive £30 in oiah and the deeds of a house in which she lived; but that the said, deaas have never been handed to her. The, committee think the matter ia one between herself and the liquidators of the bank. Mr John Dufcliie, interviewed regarding the rUrotongan trouble, said as to the visit of the Chief Justice he would ba surprised if the, occasion was such as to justify his withdrawal from his important; duties ou the bench here. The colony his only at present the privilege .of paying the. salary of the Rarotongan Resident without any control in the island, or even over their own paid officers. Disputes -similar' to the present are, probably unavoidable, and may bseome frequent if treated as of the undue importance which is apparently being attached to the present uffiir.

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