HOUSE.

Colonist, Volume XXXV, Issue 7404, 18 August 1892, Page 3

HOUSE.

Continuation o! last night's Parliament. The Fisheries Encouragement Aot Amendment Bill was read a second time, Hon Mr Reevea moved the second reading , of the Factories Act Amendment Bill, to amend certain provisions of the Factories Act of last year, Agreed to. The House went into Committee on the Workmen's Lien JBill, which was reported with verbal amendments, read a third time, and passed. House rose at 11,40 p.m. House met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Sir George Grey gave notice that he would move in Committee on the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill that all improvements be exempt from taxation. Mr Guinness brought up the report of the Public Accounts Committee on the petition of the Colonial Bank with respect to ob'aining a portion of the Government banking account. The report recommended that the Colonial Bank should receive a share of remittances. He m<wed that the report lie on the table. Mr Pinkerton moved that the report ana the evidence taken before the Committee be printed. Mrßallance opposed this on the ground that a lar^e portion of the evidence was of a confidential nature, and which it would not be in the interests of the Colony to make public. ». .....'» After considerable discussion the debate was adjourned till Friday, to enable members to read through the evidence before they came to a decision whether it should be printed or not. Mr Thompson (Auckland) brought up the report on the petition from the Auckland Railway League with respect to deciding on the route for the North Island Main Trunk line. He moved that the report be laid on the table. Sir Geo. Grey moved to add to the motion that the Government be moved to set up a Committee for the purpose of considering and recommending the best route for thiß rail' way. A long debate ensued, and was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Ballance introduced the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Aliens Act Amendment Bill, which was agreed to. The Registration of Births and Deatbß Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Seddon moved the second reading o! the Bill for the inspection of scaffolding and gear used in construction of buildings. Mr Fish saw no necessity for the measure, and strongly opposed it as being a meddlesome interference by the Government. The proposal that Inspectors of Factories should be appointed Inspectors was absurd, and if the Bill was to be of any service at all, the best Inspector they could have would be an employer of employees who had a thorough knowledge of the trade. He moved that the 8.1 l be read a second time this day six months Mr Duthie seconded. Mr Hogg supported and Mr Wright opposed the Bill. sir John Hall thought the necessary provisions for inspection should be left to Municipal Corporations, and should not be thrown on the Minister for Public Works. Mr M<Kenaie contended lhat the Employers Liability Aot of 1882 gave the necessary protection to workmen, Mr W. Hutchison supported the Bill, and Mr Fißhej; tha amendment.. The amendment waß defeated by 38 to 26. Mr Fergus contended that workmen themselves were opposed to the measure, Ths motion for the seoond reading was agreed to. The Courts of Justice (technical defeots removal) Bill, the Education Reserves Aot Amendment Bill, the Unclaimed Land Bill, the Waikouaiti Saaervea Bill, and the Orakei Succession, Farther Investigation Bill were read a seoond time. llThe Employers Liability Acts Amendment Bill was committed. On clause 5, liability of employer for injuries in respect of men working for contractors and subcontractors, Mr Fish moved an amendment to strike out the clause, but the amendment was lost bj 43 to 15. The Bill then passed through Committee without amendment.