PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6770, 6 September 1893, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(FliOM Olk Own Correspondent.) Wellington, last night. There was a lively discussion in the House this afternoon, started cm a question by Mr Jackson Palmer, as to photographing men awaiting trial. He urged tf at a man named Younger, awaiting trial in Auckland, had been assaulted three times, and had received two sentences of bread and water to last for five days, for resisting being photographed. Other members described the regulation requiring men awaiting trial to be photographed as disgraceful, and the Minister promised that an enquiry would be held. If the facts were as stated, he would take care that such an occurrence was not repeated. When it was necessary to photograph people awaiting trial great care should be displayed, and the photographs ought not to be exhibited unless the men were subsequently convicted. The Minister of Lands says he can't agree with Scobie Mackenzie's request that Rabbit Inspectors should serve their own summonses so as to lessen the expense to settlers. The Inspectors were known, and there would be a difficulty in serving summonses. The Jfosttnaster-Ueneral told Air Wilson that he could not allow books for school libraries to be carried free by post. The Minister for Lands has promised to consider the question of wanton bush fires during the recess, with a view to introducing a Bill next session. The case of the man Dcyle, who was sentenced by two Justices at Timaru to niue months' imprisonment for using obscene language, was brought under the notice of the House by Mr Hall- Jones, who considered the sentence too heavy. Government promised to ask for a leport from the Justices. To-day.

In the House last night the West Coast Settlement Reserves Bill was read a third time and passed after a protest from Mr McGuire against the decision not to recognise the claims of those individuals who had leased lands from the Natives before the passing of the Act. The Post Office Act Amendment Bill, having been amended by the addition of a new clause giving extended powers to postal officisls to stop any indecent picture book or printed matter passing through the post, the third reading was affirmed. The Civil Service Officers Guarantee Bill and Stamp Act Amendment Bill also passed final stages. Clause 4, providing that foreifn policies of insurance shall be stamped, was struck out of the last named measure. The Privileges Committee reported this afternoon that with a view to promoting due economy of public expenditure it is advisable that Government should continue as directed by a resolution in Committee of Supply in 1891 to have charge of the legislative estimates. They recommended that for two weeks before and during the session and for one month afterwards Hansard staff be under the control of the Speaker and the Printing Committee, and that for two weeks before and during the session and for one month thereafter all other officers of the House and Council be under the control of the respective Speakers. During the rest of the recess it is proposed that these officers should be under the employ of the Government, it being held that such employment will in no way lessen the independence of such officers during the session or trench on the privilege of Parliament.