New Zealand Parliament.

Colonist, Volume XXXIV, Issue 7066, 17 July 1891, Page 3

New Zealand Parliament.

By Telegraph— Par Press Association. Wellington, Jaly 16, COUNCIL, The Council mo-t at 2.30 p.m. Tbe Kaitangata Colli. ry Explosion Oommittee reported that the fund hai been faith • fully aud judiciously administered, Mr Buckley moved the second reading of the Aliens Act Amendment BiP. i.vlr Fulton characterised the Bill as a miserable needless attempt at legislating against a harmless race (she Chinese). He moved that the Bill be read a second time tbat day six months. After do bats, Mr Fulton withdrew his amendment, and the Bill was read a second tiro?. The Official and Colonial Defences Secrets' Bill was committed, reported with trifling amendment, read a third time, and passed. Th.c Marriage Act Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee. Mr Wilson moved a new clause to effect the legitimacy of children born out of wedlock. '" A long debate ensued, the general tenure of which was against the clause being inserted in the Bill. Members considered the clause an equitable one, which should be inserted in a separate Bill. After debate, progress was reported, and leave given to sit again next Tuesday. Council rose at 4.30. HOUSE. After the Telegraph Office closed last night, Mr Mackintosh said he had no confidence whatever in the Commissioners, but as the leaders of the Government and Opposition were against the Bill, he hoped Mr Palmer would withdraw it, because if the motion for tlie second reading was lost, an impression ! might go forth that the administration of the j Commissioners was approved by a majority of the House. Mr Fish argued that when the Government decided to vote against this measure they should have informed Mr Palmer and advised him to withdraw the BiP. on the ground of its being inopportune at present, He (Mr Fish) was one of the strongest supporters of the Government, but he warned them that they must not play fast and loose with their supporters in this manner, as he felt sure their party wonld not submit to such treatment. The Commissioners had been a failure all along the line, and their appointment was a disgrace to the late Government. He should support the Bill. Mr Eisner eaid if Mr Seddon had adopted any other attitude on this Bill than he had taken, ho (Mr Fisher) would have considered he was utterly wanting in his conception of the duties of a Minister of the Crown. Mr Thompson (iuokhnd), should oppose the Bill, as he thought the present was not a suitab-'e ciuua to press it. • Mr Buckland spoke in support of the Commissioners. The Hou Mr Reeves pointed out that Mr Seddon wa3 bound to take up the attitude he had adopted on this question. Mr W. K-Aly and Mr Moore spoke against the Bill. Mr Prnkcrf-'-n moved the adjournment of the debase for a week, which was^agreed to. Tlr< Coroners Juries Abolition" Bill (introduce i by Mr Guinms.) was read a second tuns wi.hoa. discussion, the understanding being that th. debate would take place on tho motion ior committal. The House rose at 12.35 a.m, T?e Houso met at 2 30 p m. Rcpiyirr. to Mr Wright, Mr Ward said the classification of dliciala in his department had Le.n p.. pared by the permanent h_;,ds oi ih-.- department. The number of appeals lodged against the classification were SO 'from the Postal, and IG2 from the Telegraph Drpaitinont. Those appeals would be dealt with as soon as the Classification Bill passed the House. The Christchurch District Drainage Aot, 1375, Amendment Bill, the Christchurch City R. serves Act, 1877, Amendment Bill, the Gartjrbnry Sooiety of Art 3 Reserve Act- 1889, Extension Bill, and the Auckland Harbor Board Empowering Bill, were read a second time. The House rose at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners Bill, and said what Parliament was asked to do to-night was to say that all a person requited to enter the legal profession was a perfect knowledge of liis native language and of the laws of his own country. Messrs Hutchison (Dunedin), Rees, Smith (New Piymou.b), supported the Bill, and Mr i'hodes opposed it. '1 he motion was agreed to on the voices. Mr Hutchison (Waitotara) moved the second reading of the Private Schools Bill. He said it wa3 urged in many quarters that the State system of education would be endangered by a measure of this kind becoming law, but he had a better opinion of the State system of education than to think it would be in any way endangered by such a measure of justice as this. Mr Scobie McKenzie rose to ask the Speaker's opinion as to whether this was not really a money Bill, and should have been introduced in Committee, and with the consent of the Crown. The Speaker said be must maintain the ruling of bis predecessor, that the Bill need not be introduced in Committee. Mr Buick thought every denomination should have the right to maintain their own schools, and receive a grant when there waß an average attendance of 60 children. Ha should support the Bill Mr Perceval admitted that a majority of members were against the Bill, but they ought to give their reasone for Euch opposition. It wbb idle to imagine that the Catholics would 6ver fall in with the present system of education, as it was altogether contrary to their conscience. He said the Catholics would continue to make the sacrifice they had made so long, because they believed it wss in the cause of religion and ' the cause of God. Mr R. Reeves and Mr O. H. Mills entirely agreed with the main principles of the Bill. Mr James Mills opposed tbe measure, as he thought it should have been brought in by the Government., and not by a private member. 'Ihe Hon Mr Reeves could not support the Bill, because it would lead to a degeneration 1 of the National system of education. They must either give Catholics tbe same capitation grant as the State eohcols or none at all, and for his own part he would say give them nothing. The people of the Colony did not 1 think there wa_ any danger of the Private " Schools Bill passing, but once they knew ' there was a chance of it becoming law, they [ wou d rise en mame against ir. | Captain Russell would support the Bill, as ! h9 did not believe aoy harm would be done to the present system of education by a Bill [ granting relief to Catholics.