GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2884, 22 October 1895, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. ADVANCES 'CO SETTLERS BILL. The Government Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill was read a Becond time on the voices. RATING- BILL. The motion for the second reading of the Rating on Unimproved Value Bill was lost by 15 to 14. The following is the division list: —Ayes—Baillie, Whitmore, Barnicoat, Kerr, Kelly, Bigg, Jeukinaon, McCullough, Feldwick, Jennings, Taiaroa, Montgomery, Buckley, McGregor. Noes—Richardson, Swauson, Reynolds, Bonar, Pharazyn, Williams, Morris, Acland, Ormond, Holmes, Grace, Stevens, McLean, Johnston, Peacock. NATIVE LAND LAWS AMENDMENT BILL. The Native Land Laws Amendment Bill was read a second time on the voices. THE BANK AGREEMENT. The bank agreement as to the purchase of the Colonial Bank by the Bank of New Zealand was laid on the table by Sir Patrick Buckley. At 5 p.m. the Council adjourned till 7 30 p.m. The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. THE LIQUOR BILL. Mr Kelly, ir Stevens, Mr Pharazyn, and Mr Ormond were appointed managers at a conference with the House to discuss the amendments in the Liquor Bill. At 8.45 p.m. the Council adjourned till 2.30 p.m. on Monday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. ANSWER TO A QUESTION. In reply to Captain Russell, the Premier said that he would inform the House on Tuesday what Bills the Government proposed to abandon. He was well satisfied with the way in which the business was progressing. He hoped to be able to state before Parliament dissolved what action the Government intended to take in regard to the vacancy on the Suprema Court bench. LAND BILL. The Hon. Mr McKenzie moved the second reading of the Land Act Amendment Bill, which he explained was a technical measure containing some small amendments to make the Act work more smo thly. It cootained no new principle. Sir Robert Stout was surprised to hear the Minister describe this as a technical Bill, as section 7 contained an entirely ijpw principle, to the effect that all metals, minerals, oils, gravel, limestone, etc., shall be reserved to the Crown. He asked who would hold land if this were agreed to ?, Captain Russell concurred in Sir Robert Stout's views, and strongly condemned clause 7. After a short debate, Mr McKenzie, in the course of his reply, said that the Bill had been brought in at the earnest request of a large number of members of the Bouse. As to clause 7, the Government were giving ?>way minerals on laud worth hundreds of pounds and it was time that such a thing was stopped. The second reading was agreed to on the voices, and the Bill referred to the Waste Lands Committee. RESBRVES BILL. The Hon. Mr McKenzie moved the second reading of the Reserves Disposal and Exchange Bill, to authorise the disposal and exchange of certain reserves and other lauds. PASTORAL TENANTS RELIEF BILL. Mr McKenzie moved the second reading of the Pastoral Tenants Relief Bill, for the purpose of giving relief to settlers who have suffered severe lossos from the snow storms in the south during last winter. Nobody could say that these people were political frieuds of his, but his first duty was to consider the interest of the colony. If some relief were not granted many of the old settlers would be absolutely ruined and driven out of their homes, and the country would be abanboned. In some cases it would probably be the best plan to remit half a year's or a year's reut, whilst iu others it might be advisible to give the settlers time to get financial assistance to restock their runs. The motion was agreed to, and the Bill referred to the Waste Lauds Committee. PUBLIC SECURITIES BILL. Mr Ward moved the second reading of the Public Securities Bill, to make fuller provision for the safe custody of securities belonging to public offices and departments, Bill would remove any doubts aa to the safety of the securities of the Post Office, Government Insurance Office, and Public Trust Office. Mr Bell thought that sub-section 3 of seotiou 3 placed too much power iu the handa of the Colonial Treasures. He thought that iu sub-section 3, the AuditorGeneral should take the place of the Colonial Treasurer. Mr Ward eei4 tjjafc he had no objection to this. Mr Montgomery thought that the funds should not be pledged for any uublifl purpose whatever, and the Bill would n,ot .set at rest the uneasy feeliug this matter, He would move an amendme^ 1 " 1 Conam i tt oO J» the direction indicated. .. . . > Mr Allen thought that too much was left in the hands of the Colo.™ 1 Treasurer aud the Governor-in-Council. The debate was interrupted by the 0.0" p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7 30 p.m. BANK AGREEMENT. The bank agreement for the purchase of the Colonial Bank was laid on the table. Mr Mitchelson asked the Premier whether it was intonded to lefer it to the Public Accounts Committee or other Committee, or, if members required information, would the Government answer their questions. The Premier replied that he was acquainted with the minutest details, aud would be pleased to give information to members. He saw no necessity for referring the agreement to a, Committee. Mr George Hutchison asked if the Premier would lay upon the table a list of the shareholders iu the Colonial Bank. The Premier replied that no reason had been given for wuch a course. If Vlr Hutchison would place his question n the Order Puper he (the Premier) would answer it. Mr Hutchison said he thought there was an obvious reason f<>r it, and if t e Premier would reconsi.l. r hia apparent refusal to give this return ir, would be •nrulncive to an early settlement of this question. The Premier said that when the Bank \ct was before Parliament no such rerun) was asked for. A return of the h.irohoMcra of the Bank of New Zealand aa well bo askod for. He knew of no reanon for it. I'ur.r.ic siccukities bill. After further debate ttio second reading of the Public Bill was • <;reed to on the voices. TIJK I.IO'JOR BILL. A r'K'SS'ijje was received from the Legnlativo Council insisting on their amendments in the Alcoholic Liquors Bill.

The reasons for insisting having been read, the Premier moved that a Conference be asked for, and that Mr McNab, Mr Mitchelson, Mr Meredith, and the mover be managers to represent the House. Mr Mitchelson asked that his nance might be withdrawn in favor of Sir Robert Stout, but Sir Robert declined to act. After a few remarks by the Premier his motion was carried by 43 to 15. SECOND READINGS. Mr Ward moved the second reading of the Beetroot Sugar Bill, which provided for the payment of £50,000 in fifteen years for the hrst 10,000 tons of sugar produced in the colony from beetroot. Captain Russell moved a hostile amendment, but after a short debate this was rejected by 27 to 22, and the Bill read a second time. The Bill waß ordered to be committed by 32 to 24. The Lunatics Act Amendment Bill and the Fisheries Act Amendment Bill were read a second time. IN COMMITTEE. The Public Works and Government Railways Act Amendment Bill was considered in Committee. In Clause 7, an amendment proposed by Sir Robert Stout, that no alcoholic liquors be sold in railway refreshment rooms except for fifteen minutes before a train starts, was lost by 32 to 21. Amendments fixing the time for which railway refreshment room licenses shall be issued at 13 months, 18 months, snd three years, were moved and lost, and one fixing the period at two and a-half years, moved by the Premier, was put and carried. On the motion of the Premier, clause 8, which provided that officers in the railway service should not be deemed to be Civil Servants, was struck out on the voices. Mr McLachlan moved a new clause imposing an annual fee of £4O for the license of a Railway Refreshment Room. Lost on the voices. The Bill was ihen reported with amendments, and put through the final stages. The Sea Fisheries Bill was passed through committee with amendments and was read a third time and passed. At 3.30 a.m. the House adjourned till 7.30 on Monday.