TUESDAY, AUGUST 2,

Otago Witness, Issue 2319, 11 August 1898, Page 24

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2,

In the Legislative Council on Tuesday, the Stratford Electric Lighting Bill was read a second time, and some progress made hi Committee with the Animals' Protection Bill.

animals' tkotecticn iull.

The Animals' Protection Bill was committed. Seveial clause? gave riso to controversy, especially the section providing for a license to kill native game. Progress was reported at clause <:.0, and leave given to sit again.

UNCLAIMED MONEYS

The Hon. W. C WALKER moved the third reading of tho Unclaimed Moneys Bill, and explained that though he desired to s-oe iho bill pass in its present form, ihe question of whether Government departments — such as the Post Office Savings Bank and the Government Insurance department— should be included within the scope of the measure was being considered by the Cabinet. The debate was adjourned to p^'-mit of the second and third clauses boing redrafted.

In the House of Representative*, the Light Locomotives Bill, dealing with motor ears, was referred back to the Private Bills Committee. Questions occupied tho rest of the afternoon sitting. In the evening-, the question of a Pacific cable wa3 referred to the Public Accounts Committee, and the Dairy Industry Bill was read a second timo. Tho Banking Bill was then taken in Committee.

QUESTIONS.

In reply to questions, The Hon. W. HALL- JONES said that for various reasons he did not deem it necessary to ask Mr Back, general manager of the Tasmanian Railways, to visit New Zealand to give information and advice as to the construction and working of the 2ft gauge light, tramways. Mr DUTHIE asked tho Minister if he had observed that the loss on the book cost by sales of the Assets Realisation Board to the 31st March last was shown to be £140,656, as against £309,907 realised, and that a comparison of this year's sales with those reported on the 31st March, 1896, appears to fliov a marked increase in tho ratio of lops, a id whether he will refer the question of Mio position and prospects of the realisation < f those properties to the Public Accounts Committee.

The Hon. J. M'KENZIE said there was no necessity to refer tho matter to the Public Accounts Committee. The book value was calculated on the whole of tho estates, and as only portions of ostates had in some instances bean disposed of tho difference between the book valuo and the price realised on those portions mado the loss seem larger than it really was. As a whole, the sales had come out fairly near the approximate value put upon the estates by the manager of the Asset? Realisation Board. The MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE said the department was making inquiries as to the introduction of the codlin moth eating bird, though he believed that even in Germany, where these birds were, orchardisls were turning to spraying as a remedy. Other questions were replied to to the followiner effect : — Tho MINISTER FOR MINES has no knowledge that clause 31* of the Mining Act was being evaded in many parts of the colony. The Government cannot undertake to mak > inquiry into the claims of the promoters ot the chloride of gold treatment, for drunker, ness as carried out in the Hagey Institute. It would be better to arrange for a trial of the system in connection with homes established under the Inebriates' Homes Bill. The Government think great cave should h« exercised in the matter of removing restrictions from Native Land. The subject will bo dealt with in legislation new pending. If the House authorise the Government ,o provide for landless Natives, the matter will receive attention in this connection, the PREMIER had no hesitation in saying that the Waikato Natives had been badly treated.

A PACIFIC CABLE. On the motion of the PREMIER, the question of establishing a Pacific cable servico was referred to the Public Accounts Committee.

TIIE DAIRY INDUSTRT. The Dairy Industry Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Agricultural Committee.

THE BANKING BILL.

The House went into Committee on the Bank of NW Zealand and Banking Act Amendment Bill. On clause 6, subsection B, as to the president instituting proceedings against the bank in n/uy court of competent jurisdiction, if he declined to accept compensation, to recover damages for wrongful removal from office, Mr Wascw advised that the subsection be struck out altogether on account of its invidious character, — Mr Ddthie raised tho question whether the bank might not suffer :n the interim between the time of notice to the president and his actual retirement from office in March next.— Mr R. Thompson said it waa well known the president would Roespt two years' balary as compensation for Joss of offico, and there was no need to discuss tho subsections in clause 6. The addition of a second year's salary to the compensation waa really "hush" money.— The Premier held it would be necessary to pass tho subsection in consequence of what had already boon agreed to in tho measure, aud also to safeguard tho country. He deprecated tho use of such a term as " hush money " as absolutely unwarraUod.— Mr Taylor said tho matter waa comnlicated by the discovery of

the fact that tha president would hold offico till the end of next March. Had that been known at the outset it would have made a great difference, as members had been under tho impression that the president would bo going immediately on the passage of the bill. Ho would take the first opportunity to move the recommittal of the bill, so that clause 6, ill so far as it related to the abolition of tho office of president, might bo reconsidered. — The Premier pointed out that to immediately get rid of the president and the directors would be impolitic, and it might prejudice the interests of the bank to precipitate a change in management. Besides, ho do&ircd that the work of reconstructing the management should be accompanied with as little irritation p»s possible. Still, if the House desired to ahorton the period for effecting fclid change that could be considered later on. — Mr Smjth biid thoic> was a growing feeling in the country that the Piemier was nol, in earnest, in the matte< of tho banking legislation. if the change was neee-siry it should be made a3 snoi! as possible, pnd at any ule not later than tho time of tho halfycaily oalanee, at the end of September. — Mr Hogg r.rgued that though they were altering the machinery of the management tney were not condemning rho existing machinery, as no evil was to bo expected from continuing the present control till March next year. —Mr Phaser showed that they had the auditor to safegusrd the intorests of the bank, and theie was no occasion to apprehend harm from continuing the existing management till next year. — Mr Ddthie agreed with Mr Thomson that there was a very general feeling that tho two years' salary offered as compensation was hush money. — Mr Wason deprecated the use of such terms, and said me best thing tho House could do was to offer ihe provident, tha proposed compensation, and drop ail tho other subsections in ol;.u?e 0, and >iave dono with the whole mutter. — Mr Mills chaiacteri'hoCi the u&a of such term aa ' hush money" a# altogether uncalled tor; tho kind of thing which should not bo said inside the Hout>e. and dared not be said outside. — Mr CUusON caul that (ho real facts ware that the piesident had in his. circular to members challenged thf< House to institute an inquiry, and the Premiei had done nothing to faoilitife one, but eveiything to the contrary. He moved that the Chairman leave the chair. — Tho Premier said no inquiry could l«ad to any disclosures such as members appeared to an ticipate. as the circular obviously only refened to accounts whom history had become public property. — Mr DrrrmK explained I hat, he had m&de no charge against members in using the term " hush money,"' whereby Lo had meant that if the president took two yoars' salary as compensation the outside public would rogard Ih»t as hush monoy taken by ihe president. -Mr Tanner thought that to offer tho presiden: £4500 in cash, and at tho same time leave him the alternative to sue in tho law courts argued weakness in those making th© proposals. — Mr Crowther expressed tho opinion that if it was decided to dispen?» with the president'^ services it would bo better to let him go immediately. — Tho Premier said that if members were anxious to curtail the period between the abolition of the presidentship and the retirement of the president ho would agree to recommit the bill to make* tho time of retirement the end of December ~ Mr Garso?*. on this understanding, asked leave fo withdraw his motion that the Chairman leave the chair —Mr Taylor pointed out. that the inquiry that members desired in con noctiou with the abolition of the president ship waa not any inquiry into the bank's business, but into the circumstance which had led to the original banking legislation.— Ti-e Premier declared thai to iinil that out they would have to go back to tho time of thoso directors who had los,t the shareholders' money to the luno of four millions. lie said that if the president was to go at all, it were well that he should go at once, but it was a forlorn hope to suppose that th» bill before them would be the last of tho banking legislation.- Mr Slico had never doubted the unwisdom of tha proposed legislation, which he felt convinced would prove a ghastly mistake. The bill would place the bank more than ever under political control, and he A\as convinced that irreparable injury would be done to the bank : but the Premier bad said the bill was necessary, and he would leave the Premier to bear tho responsibility of his opinion and action. — Mr Pib\ni said that the information the House would like to got, but iicer would obtain, was information as to the conditions under which tho banking legislation was initiated and carried through, and the loss of the shareholders' capital had nothing to do with that. — Mr Carson's motion was withdrawn .

In subsection C. that for the purposes of legal proceedings the president be deemed to have been appointed to his office by tha bank instead of by the Governor-in-Council, and to have been removed from office by the bank instead of by act, Mr Millar proposed that the word " duly " be inserted before tho word " appointed." He said his object in moving tho addition was to place the presidont in an unquestionable position to maintain all hi? legal rights —Mr G. Hutchtson argued that the addition of the word " duly would ha.ye no value, but would conflict with the context, which showed that the president, who had been appointed by the Governor-iiv Council, should, for the purposes of tho bill, be " deemed " to have been appointed by iho bank.— The Premier opposed the amendment, as the president's appointment had been, and was, fully recognised as valid in every respect. — Captain Russell supported the addition of tho word "duly," on the ground that* the president's position should be made as strong as possible.— The Hon. Mr Rollkston ob jected to the bill as a whole, for the measure was altogether bad and dangerous, and what was necessary first was an inquiry which would enable the House to ascertain from the president tho whole facts of the conditions antecedent and surrounding the banking legislation. Still lie would not attempt to kill tho bill by indirect means, but would endeavour to make it as good as possible in its passage through the House. — The addition of the word "duly" was negatived by 45 to 16.

Mr Millar proposed another amendment in sub-section O to the effect that the words after the Governor-in-Council be struck out and be replaced by the words " upon the terms mentioned in the Governor's warrant of appointment at a salary of £2250 a year." — 'ihe Premier again objected to any alteration of the sub-section as it stood, and said that the Crown law officers had advised him that the Government were not placing the president in an unreasonable position. — The amendment was negatived on the voices, and the other sub-sections of clause 6 were passed without discussion.

A long discussion took place on clause 7, declaring void the contract as regards the salary, etc., of the president. The references in the clause to the inspector and auditor were struck out, and the clause restricted to the president only on the motion of the Premier. The clause, a aesnemdd cmfwypshrdostdhsrrh The clause, as amended, was carried by 37 to 17*

1

On clause 8, sub-section 1, that the provision of the " Disquahiication Act, 1878," relating to civil servants, shall apply to directors was struck out, the PkEl'ieii not objecting, and an amendment by Captain Russeli* substituted to the effect that members of cither House of Parliament are ineligible for appointment by the Governor-in-Council while members or for a period of twelve months afterwards. — On the motion of Mr Montgomery, a similar provision was added with regard to civil servants. Clause 8, subsection 2, Governor-in-Council to appoint the chairman of the board, was altered so that the directors should elect their own chairman. Subsection 3, providing thav the chairman of the board should reside in tha Wellington Provincial District, was struck out. Clause 3, as amended,* wag passed.

Clause* 9. 10, 11, and 12 were struck out.

On tho motion of the PREMIER, progress was reported, and leave was given to sit again.

A motion that tho bill be taken up again at 2.30 p.m. was carried by 33 to 21.

THE BANKING} BILL.

Mr Sligo made a very forcible speecli on the Banking Bill to-night. He said he bad been opposed to the banking legislation all along, but he recognised the force of numbers wos against the opponents of this measure. He, and those who thought, with him, had been ouhoted time after lime, and it was useless to go on fighting the bill indefinitely, thereby interfering with tho business' of thocountry. Ke believed if the bill passed it would injure the bank, but the responsibility must be pieced on the " shoulders of tho Premier, who ought to know far more about, the matter than he (Mr Sligo) did, and if Mr Seddon thought it was such a good and necessary measure, in God's name let him pass* it. Mr JJligo spoke with considerable warmth.

MR WATSON'S PRIVILEGES.

Afte.i Mr Millar had moved an amendment in favour of Mi Watson in the Banking Bill this evening, Mr Taylor said :— ' 1 don't know wh&t is the matter with the fn-n. comber, hut during tho la«l week or two lie h;>s been running amuck in lecfard to privileges; first theprivileges of the brewer and then the privilege* "of the banker. — (Laughter.) Them must bo something in the Wellington air that, does not do Labour members any good.— (Laughter) Captain Rus&ell : "It has a stimulating effect." — (More laughter.) Mi" Taylor : " Yos, it give* some inombers Ger man measles and some members other things."' (Laughter.) Later on the Premier rather let tho cat out of the bag. Mr Millar's s»mendmen I provided for setting at lest any doubt as to tho legality of Mr Watson's appointment 33 president of the bank by the insertion of the word "duly" before " appoinlfd." Mr Seddon, referring to this and other amendments given nolico of by Mr Millar, said that a. similar amendment had been Mibmitletl to him la&t aar. "Who from?" promptly interjected Mr Taylor. " From Mr Watson's solicitor," replied the Premier, and members smiled. Later on Mr Taylor said it wn? an extraordinary thing that an amendment suKgesled to tho Premier by Mr Watson's solicitor and rejected by him last year was now being moved by Mr Millar.

A CURE FOR DXUNKENTNESS.

Mr Hogg is asking the Government whether thoy will make inquiry into theclaims of the promoters of the chloride, of gold treatment for drunkenness as carried out at the IJagey Institute, and, if found desirable, favour its adoption under the auspices of the State in oxtreme case-'. He tta>ed that in America 100.000 had pa&&ed through theso it at i tut ions, and from 70 to 90 per cent of thorn were completely cured. ? He knew of several very bad cases that had been cured in Wcmgamii. Instead of getting prohibition ordeig out against such people it would be boll or to give them the option o\ this treatment in preference io their going to gaol. . ' Mi Seddon f-aid tint case-* had come under his notice where great Rood had been done by this cure, but he believed it was> more a question of peli-control than the effect ot takin? chloride of gold. There had been sonif" cases given out as cured that after n short lima had failed. As they had passed the Inebriate? Home Bill it would, he thought, ho better to nrrangp for a .-nipply of theao medicine* and ticot tho patients in our onn institutions instead of in inaitulions. kept by private individuals. However, he would got a report on ths matter, and see i hether Uieie was anything in it or not.

MOTOR CARS.

Considerable opposition vas shown to the M'Lean Light Locomotives Bill. The committee to whom tho bill was referred mado it a general measure. Ruing Mr M'Lean :ho right to collect £3 from anyone who may hereafter desire to run motor cars in tho colony, until a public bill dealing with the whole question was passed. These payments would recoup Mr M'Lean for the cost of promotim? his private bill. Tho power of charging £o was, howevor, strongly opposed. If. was urged that the local bodies should to given some say in the matter. It was further contended that, the question should be dealt with by tho Government, but the Premier s;ud that the .moment the Government; brought in a measure there would be a, general onslaught on it. If the local bodies wore nivon the necessary powers, they would not uso them. " Why do you not give them a chance?" interjected one member. " Tru.>t the peoplo," said another. The Premier replied that the local bodies very often did not represent the people. The wider the franchise tho more generous were the representatives returned. "In taking what does not belong to them," added Mr Crowther. The bill waa evonlually referred back to the committee for the reconsideration of the clause regarding Mr M 'Lean's right to charge £5, referred to above.

THE WAIRARAPA ELECTION.

The Publio Petitions Committee M to Z have been for some time considering the petition of Mr Coleman Phillips in regard to the action of Mr Adam Armstrong, returning officer for tho Wairarapa. Mr Phillips, who was a candidate for Parliament at the last general election, alleged that, through tho action of Mr Armstrong in fixing the wrong date for receiving nominations he suffered great personal inconvenience and losf. He therefore prayed that in future greater care should be exercised in selecting returning officers and for other relief. The committee report: "That the evidence goes to blio'T. that during the last general election the conduct of Mr Adam Armstrong, returning officer for the electorate of Wairarapa, was irregular and improper ; that it ia expedient that in future the Government should make careful inquiries before appointing returning officers, and that tho Government should amend the law in the direction of definitely fixing the day and hour for the closing ot nominations."

PLAIN TALKING. There was again some very plain < diking on tho Bank Bill. Mr R. Thompson spoke about the two years' salary to be given to MR

jWatson as hush money. The Premier considered the issue of the circular by Mr WatBon as a very ill-judged action on his part. Mr Meredith characterised tho position taken tip by Mr Millar as ono, to say the least of it, that was calculated to arouse suspicion. He aleo said the Premier was apparently keeping back as much as he could with a view of not damaging the future reputation of Mr Watson. Mr Millar warmly repudiated the suggestions made abuut him. As the telegraph office is closing the House has just resolved that the directors shall elect thoir own chairman instead of being appointed by "the Govornor-in-Council.

JOTTINGS

The Railway department during last year spent £4688 on buildings, additions, and alterations at Cross Creek, at the fool of the Rimutaka incline. Mr Fra&er to-day presented a petition from bushmen and residents in the Greenstone Hiding, Lake Wakatipu, praying that the new regulations for New Zealand forests be repealed, and the previous rules again brought into force. A petition signed by a large number of settlers in the Otara, Oteramika, Waiau, Bel- { mont, Merrivale, Clifden, Hokonui, Limeliills, Croydon, Waikawa, Tokonui, and Mokoreta districts has been presented by Mr j M'Nab. They ask for relief from the exces- j sivo valuation put upon their sections. They j ,want the House to pass a Revaluation Act. An instance of perfunctory drafting and careless consideration was given in the LegisJative Council to-day when a clause was added .to the Animals' Protection Bill providing a penalty for killing a dead hen pheasant. Mr Parata is pressing the Minister for lands to expend the £100 promised last session for the Merlon-Corner Bush road. A number of petitions have been received from school committees asking the Governanenl to placo the education inspectors under the control of the Education department in j Mr Pirani wants the correspondence between the Justice department and District Jud»e Kettle in reference to ths Baxnes charges laid on the table of the House. He is also moving for the correspondence allude-1 to last session by the Premier in reference to ■the offer of a judgeship in the Validation Court to District Judge Kettle. Mr Flatman is agitated about the trans- ■ port of fat sheep from Southland to Canterbury for the purpose of allowing them to be J exported as "Prime Canterbury mutton. He urged that all carcases bear a distinct mark j "showing tho provincial district- in which euch j cheep were fattened, j Mr Morrison is again tackling the Government on the subject of discharging men from the railway workshops at a time when the increase of traffic, the demand for extra waggons, and the proper equipment of our lines -urgently necessitate additional rolling stock. Mr Pirani wants legislation to give levees of education reserves some compe.nea.tion fnr , their improvements on the expiration ot their . .'leases.