GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1524, 26 June 1886, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

In the Legislative Council on Wednesday, The Sharebrokers Act Bill was read a first time.

Mr Hart's motion, hnving for its object the appointment of a Select Committee to enquire into the condition of the colony, the debate on which was interrupted on the previous day, was carried on a division. -Ayes 22, noes 12. The following Bills were read a first time ;—Harbors Act Amendment, Mining Companies, and Gold Duty Reduction.

The Post-office Act Amendment Bill, Justices of the Peace Act Amendment Bill, and the Municipal Corporation Bill were read a second limv , The Animals Protection Act Amendment Bill was read a third time.

The Council adjourned till next day. In the Legislative Council on Thursday Mr Buckley laid on the table papers relating to imports a'nd exports, also, to the introduction of fish ova.

The debate ou the Native Lqnitnbl* Owners Bill was adjourned till next day.

The Council went into Committee othe Charitable Trusts Extension Bill, find after some amendments had been made progress was reported. Jn Committee on the Justices of the Peace Bill clause fr was amended, exempting doctors from being on the rota of Justices. Progress was reported, and the Council adjourned till nest day.

HOUSE OF KBPRESENTATIYE3.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Replying to questions it wa« stated that it was proposed to devote the fines of railway employees to a general fund to be formed for thnt purpose. Mr To'e moved the second reading of the Criminal Oode Bill.

Sir George Grey, Major Atkinson, Mr Hialop and others hoped the Bill would be postponed till next session. Tha Premier defended the measure. MrEolleston regretted that the Bill ha'l not been introduced earlier this session, but pointed out that some clauses would have to be dealt with, namely, those relating.to the protection of yduug girls. He said the couu-try was lookiug to the House to deal with this largo social question. , » Mr Tole hoped the House would go on with the Bill. The Bdl'.was the result of twenty years' study, by the moat eminent lawyers in England. He B«id ( it i»as an improvement on the present criminal law. The motion for the Bccond reading was carried on the voices.

Mr Tole then moved that consideration of the several clauses, in Committee, be dispensed with, with the of such clauses as contained material alterations iu the criminal law and procedure.

The motion was agreed to, with some other clauses added.

The Coal Mines Bill was further eon* sidered in Committee. The debate on the New Hebrides was further adjourned. On the motion forgoing into Committee on the Local Bodies Loans Bill Captain Sutter and Major Atkinson objected to the proposals to give power to borrow for school buildings. Mr Rolleston spoke against it, and Mr Turnbull thought they might S 3 well give the money direct or else rate the districts for buildiDgs. Mr Beeiham thought it would be better to reduce the Education Estimates than pass the clause. Country districts would suffer by it.

Mr J. W. Thomson, Dr Newman, Mr Ormond, and others having spoken, Sir J. Vogel in reply said that the exceptions were necessary to prevent the Government both lending the money, and having to pay some of the interest too. They would confer with a Deputation of Members on the subject of education buildii.gs, and dot press the clause «t present in view of the opposition exhibited. The proposals did not impose a heavy burden an Education Boarrlg, »r;d members hardly realised the meaning of the clauses proposed.' i; The House went into Cotuni ttee, end iinmediateiy reported progress, rising at 12.4 p.m. -..•, Ttie House'met at 2.30 p.m. on Tours* day. Sir George Grey gave notice of a Bill to amend the Abolition of Provinces Act, 1875. Replying to questions, Mr Larnscb. said that Government had already made some provision for sufferers by the Tolcauic eruptions,;,and it was, further intended to put a moderate* sum on the estimates for that purpose ; *that Government were in communication with other Governments bo Ihe subject of the eradication of scab in the Middle Island. Mr Sutter moved the second reading of the North Cemetery Reserve (Timarn) Bill.—Agreed to, The Wyndlutn Show Ground Reserve Bill, the Hakateramea Racecourse and Borough of Momiogton Boundaries Reserve Bills, and ihVOiie Tree Hill Reserve Bill were' read a third time end passed. Mr'Moss moved that it is desirable to impose customs duties upon all machinery row imported' duty free, but which can be manufactured well and cheaply in the colony, cave being taken to make a cor* responding reduction in duties on articles not manufactured in New Zealand, is order that the total taxation may not be increased. The Premier and Mr Hatch supported and Messrs Sutter and Turnbull and others opposed tbe motion. The debate was interrupted by £h.e, 5.30 adjournment. •. J • When the House resumed the Welling* ton and Wanganui Education Districts, the Fish Auction, Employment ef Females, and Small Birds Nuisance Amedment Bills were passed through their Inst stages.. The Ltw Practitioners Bill was com* ■■ mitted on division by 30 to 22, The Premier moved that the Cbairasn leave tbe chai r . He objected to the edit* . cational test being eliminaied. Even in America they were gradually stiffening tbe tests, and he quoted the example of other countries to support his view. Sir George Grey doubled the Premier's own knowledge of law, and aaid the Local Courts Bill was drawn up in a way disgraceful to any lawyer.. The Premier said he had had nothing to do with the composition of that Bill, and thought Sir George Grey's veracity was equal to Froude's. The discussion between the Premier and Sir George Grey became very brisk, and was entered into by Messrs Mckenzie, Menteath, Duncan, Samuel, Seddon, Ivess and others. The House divided on the Premier's amendment—ayes 22, noes 18, and the Bill was thrown out. Mr Seddon moved the second racing of the Hawkers' and Pedlars' Bill and Auctioneers' Bill both of which were carried with very little discussion, the Premier supporting both. ~ The Salm'on.and Trout Act Amendment Bili was read a second time on the motion of Mr Bruce. Sir George Grey- moved the sccend reading of the Land Boards Bill. The Premier opposed-it, on the groaad that the Franchise proposed was act liberal enough. The second reading was carried oa tbe voices. The House rose at 12 o'clock.