GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3021, 8 September 1896, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Wellington, September 4. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. BILLS PASSED The Gisborne Harbour Board Empowering Bill and the Female Law Practitioners Bill were read a third time. THE LOAN BILL. The second reading pf the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill was moved by the Minister of Education, who said that since 1891 the Government had kept the Public Works going under exceptionally embarrassing circumstances, the most important of which wore falling markets. The second reading was carried on the voices. BILL PASSED. The third reading of the Law Pracli tioners and New Zealand Law Society Acta Amendment Bill was carried by 17 to 15. A division took place on the motion that the Bill do pass, as Mr Bonar wanted to recommit the Bill to strike out the clause giving- women the right to enter the legal profession. The Bill passed by 16 to 14. The Council adjourned at 4 p.m, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. lu reply to Mr Lawry the Premier said he was of opinion that some one should be authorised to tax legM costs charged to the natives, the costa to be rendered void if they were not taxed. In reply to Mr Flatman, who asked if the Government would use'every precaution to prevent the introduction of the Queensland tick plague into New Zealand, the Minister of Lands said that the Agricultural Department was taking every possible precaution in this, matter. The importation of cattle from Queensland had been prohibited, as also had the importation of hides, bodies, etc.. It was quite evident, he said, that the Government would have a big fight to maintain the prohibition in regard to the importation of bones, for bone-dust manufactures were prompting the farmers to bring pressure to bear on the Government to remove the restriction, under a threat of an increased price of bone-dust in New Zealand. The Government conld not prevent the spread of ticks in clothing, bags, blankets, etc., but they would use precautions in every other direction. He added that Mr Gilruth, Government veterinary surgeon, who was at present in Sydney, had been instructed to visit Queensland aud make enquiries regarding the plague aud the Government hoped to have his report in about ten days. In reply to other questions it was stated that the Government could not at present further reduce railway freights for dead meat, as the rates were already very low; that the question of appointing separate inspectors for gold mines aud coal mines would have to be faced, and on the West Coast something of that kind would have to be done; that the electoral rolls just printed would not be used at the next General Election, but would be in force meanwhile ; that electors would not require to register where the boundaries had been altered, as the Registrar of Electors would transfer the names from one roll to another ; that the Government had no intention whatever of offering a bonus of £1 per ton to any company erecting works in Now Zealand for the manufacture of iron and steel from New Zealand iron ore.

The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. AMENDMENTS AGREED TO. The amendments made by the Council in the Female Law Practitioners Bill aud the Public Morgues Bill were agreed to. TUB EATING BILL. The Rating Act Amendment Bill was committed, but the Premier at once moved to report progress, in order to give time for the consideration of some new amendments which he proposed to move in it. SUMMARY SEPARATION BILL. The Premier moved the second readihg of the Summary Separation Bill, to amend the law relating to the summary jurisdiction of magistrates in reference to married persons. He said that the Bill, which had passed the Council, provided for a long-felt want, namely, that a married woman could apply to the Court for separation under certain circumstances, such as in the case of a woman whose husband has been convicted of aggravated assault on her, or who has been guilty of desertion or persistent cruelty. After debate the second reading was agreed to on the voices. LANDS AND DEEDS BILL. Mr Carroll moved the second reading of the Poverty Bay Lands and Deeds Registration District Bill. The motion was carried, and the Bill was put through committee. PAIR RENT BILL. The Minister of Lauds moved the second reading of the Fair Rent Bill, which provided a means for fixing a fair rent for land. He mentioned that he had introduced the Bill last year, and that it had passed its second reading confirmed his view that the Bill was a proper one for introduction. He felt satisfied that the House was in favour of a measure of this kind. It had been referred to a great many settlers who were interested in the Bill, and their opinions had been of a decidedly favourable character. The measure ought iu his opinion to apply to private as well as to Crown lauds. Neither landlords nor tenants could apply to the board for an enquiry to bo set up under the Bill until they had been unable to come to terms as to what was a fair rent. In the matter of rack recta the greatest sinners in the colony were those having charge of education aud college endowumeuts aud endowments of all descriptions. The Bill permitted of both higher and lower rents being fixed. The board would consist of the stipendiary Magistrate for the district aud two other persons to be appointed by the Government. He had thought of appointing a Judge of the Supreme Court as chairman, but recognised that those gentlemen had already too much work. The Bill provided for a new departure. Ho asked the House to affirm its second reading aud to amend its details in committee. Last year there was a majority of twenty-three on its second rending. Ho Imped the House would go one step further this year and would pass it through committee. ' ■

,Sis .Robert Stout said that this was tho second occasion this session that Ministers had admitted that their policy had broken down. Their financial and public works policy had broken down, and now the Alioistor was obliged to confess that the land system of 18D2, which was to give everybody security of tenure, had broken down also. The Government had given a 91)!) years lease to settlers, and four years later they had corno down and wanted to appoint a board under their own control to alter tho tenure and condition of those leases altogether. This Dill completely broke down tho 999 years lease. Ho held that if a bargain were made

with the people it was dishonest to break it. This was a bad Bill in evoy possible way, aud it contained no principle whatever. Poor people would get no advantage under it and it, all’orded not a penny of relief to the great mass of tenants in the colony. Mr Allen strongly condemned the Bill, Mr T. Mackenzie supported the Bill, because he thought that the Government should have the right to deal with its own tenants. Mr Collins, Mr Montgomery, and Mr Duncan spoke in support of the Bill. The debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr Buchanan. The House rose at 12.50 a.m.