HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Southland Times, Issue 12328, 22 September 1892, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 a.m. The Payment, of Members Hill was introduced by the Premier. It was agreed that for the remainder of the session the House should meet on Mondays at 2. .50 p.m. for Government business only. The Friendly Societies Act Amendment Bill, the object of which is to enable friendly societies to be registered, was read a second time. The Manure Adulteration Bill, for the better prevention of frauds in the sale of manure for agricultural purposes, was read a second time. Hon. J. McKenzie moved the second reading of the .Selectors Lands Revaluation Continuance and Amendment Bill. He explained thatjunder the'measure agricultural lessees or holders of perpetual leases or deferred payment licensees might apply for relief and selectors might, before January, 1593, apply for further relief on making a deposit and paying expenses. The bill was not of great importance to a large number of people, but it was of considerable importance to a small section of the. public and he hoped it would become law thissession, and put an end to this everlasting business. — Mr Rolleston thought the bill was too much of a political character to be of great use and he could not help saying it was also an ugly excrescence on our land legislation and that it would not give the relief asked for by settlers — Messrs Fergus and Valentine differed from their chief over the bill, which they strongly supported. After considerable debate the second reading was agreed to on the voices. The Land for Settlement Bill was passed through its final stages and the Oamaru Harbour Board Advance Repayment Bill passed through committee without amendment. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. EVKNINIi SITTIM.. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The Native Land Purchase Bill was passed through committee without material amendment. The Otago School Commissioners Empowering Bill and the New Zealand Compauys Laud Claimants Bill were considered in committee and passed through without amendment. The House went into committee on the Dairy Industry Bill. On Clause 4 — powers of entry to inspector— Mr T. Mackenzie said the bill would give too much power altogether to inspectors and would hamper the industry instead of encouraging it. He | moved to amend the clause so as to provide that an inspector could only enter dairies and factories and not creameries, barns, buildings, carriages, etc., as contained in the bill. — The Minister pointed out that the bill was intended to prevent false branding and false packing, and the clause was necessaiy for that purpose. If that power was taken from inspectors there was no necessity for the bill at all. He was not forcing the bill on the colony, but formed it in response to a general demand that M-as made for it. — • After a lengthy discussion Mr T. Mackenzie's amendment was rejected and the clause passed without alteration. Clause 6 — dairy in certain cases to be deemed a factory for the purposes of export. This clause was altered so as to provide that if a dairy is not kept or produce thereof not manufactured to the satisfaction of an inspector he shall have power to suspend the owner's certificate for three months, and on a second offence to cancel the certificate. That part of clause 14 requiring the owner of a cow or cows to have their milk tested was struck out. The Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill was passed through Committee with verbal amendments. [Left sitting at 2 a.m.]