Evening Sitting.

Southland Times, Issue 8056, 10 July 1885, Page 3

Evening Sitting.

. The Houae resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Stout said that since the House rose that evening the Government hsd considered tbe position in wbich they were put by the Committee of Ways and Means. They had consulted with -their supporters and bad come to the conclusion not to ask the House to again go into Committee on the Tariff resolutions. Tbey would ask the House to validate the resolution already passed by the Committee, and by leave of the House would move a resolution to that effect. He need hardly state that the loss to the revenue by the action of the Committee would be L70.000. The Government proposed to meet the loss by renewing for two years the L50,000 deficiency bills of 1883-4, and as to the other L20,000 it was proposed that the expenses of the constabulary engaged in Defence works should be charged on loan. This would recoup the loss of L70,000 from duties. As to the measures the Government intended to proceed with, be said that it was proposed to go on with the Local Finance and Powers bills which they considered a Ministerial bill in tbe strict sense of the term. They proposed to withdraw from the bill the proposal ifor borrowing on the subsidies, and they would not ask the House to fix any time for giving subsidies to local bodies. He said he regretted that the House had not granted additional supplies as asked for under the Tariff. | Tbe duties would press fairly on all classes, ' and provided at the same time that local industries were not interfered with. In order that no injury should be done to the mercantile community, he asked leave to move a resolution which rescinded the Customs duties of 19th June, except eo far as related to spiriti, bitters, wines, sparkling wines, and Australian wine. The resolution was put and carried on the voices. In reply to Major Atkinson, the Premier said that the Government were not in a position to bring down the Customs duties, but would be ready by Tuesday next. The following bills were introduced and read a first time :-^To amend the Pharmacy Act, 1880 (Hatch) ; Pedlars' and Hawkers' Biil (Seddon). The Timaru Harbour Board »Loan and Otago Harbour Board Leasing Bills were read a second time. Mr Ross movod that all correspondence between the Government and Otago Harbour Board relative to the construction of the proposed graving dock at Port Chalmers be laid ou the table.— .Carried. Mr Hobbs moved the second reading of the Gaming and Lotteries Aot, 1881, Amendment Bill. Mr Fitzherbert thought if small sweeps we're abolished it would be the means of driving the money invested in them in^ New Zealand over to the sister colonies.. He moved as an amendment that tbe bill be read six months' hence. A The Premier supported the bill as likely to check the '■.excessive gambling now indulged in in sweeps. Mr Joyce thought it wonld be impossible • to stop consultations so long as Australian newspapers circulated in the colony, Messrs TarnbnU, §tewart, Fulton," and Peacock supported the second reading, and Mwt» Q'Qonqor t a»d £e>r opposed ftr*

Motion for seconds reading carried on the voices. , Tbe Honso went into Committee on the Cemeteries Act, 1882, Amendment bill. — Bill read a third time and passed without amendment. The Postal Notes Biil was commit tted, read a third time, and passed. Mr Tole moved the second reading of Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, 1867, Amendment Bill. He said the reason for intioducing the bill was a cane recently heard in the Divorce Court, Wel-' lington, wherein Judge Richmond said ] that as the ' Act stood at present he was unable to give the petitioner, a young girl release from her husband. The Premier Baid tbat it was desirable to alter tbe law in some respects, but bo would not go so far as to say that deser- | tion should form a ground/ He thought | I in tbe casas of lunatics or persons iu 1 prison for life, tbat might form an action for divorce. — Second reading agreed to. , Mr Stout moved the Becond reading of the Industrial Schools Act Amendment Bill, and explained that it provided that those ' in a position to do so should contribute towards the* eupport of their children. — Motion agreed to. Mr ; Stoutv moved the second reading of the Municipal Corporations Bill.— Agreed to. Mf*Larnach moved the second reading of Mines i Act. 1877, Amendment Bill. " Mr Guinness, - while supporting the bill, objected to leaving the powers in the hands of the Governor-in-Council for framing the fees for lease and for miners' rights.— Second reading carried. Mr Ballance moved the eecond reading of the West Coast Settlements Reserves, 1881, Amendment Bill. He said the passing of it would greatly facilitate the settlement of lands on the West Coast. — Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 9.30 p.m.