GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3470, 25 July 1899, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AVellington, July 21. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION BILL. The most of the afternoon was devoted to the consideration of the Immigration Restriction Bill in Committee. The first six clauses were passed unaltered, progress being reported at clause 7. FACTORIES ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Factories Act Amendment Bill was read a second time and referred to the Labor Bills Committee. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, July 21, The House met at 2.30 p.m. FIRST READING. The Government Life Insurance Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor’s Message and read a first time. PETITIONS. The report of the M to Z Public Petitions Committee, recommending that all petitions piresonted at last session and not considered, should be dealt with this session, was adopted. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Among the replies to questions were the following:—That it depended on circumstances whether the Government would inaugurate a penny inland postage. Thatthe Government would as far as possible endeavour to bring the present disjointed railway and steam coastal services into connection, so enabling mails to be delivered between Auckland and Dunedin in 54 hours. That the question of appointing public law officers at the principal centres of populat ion to enable people to obtain legal advice and assistance in Courts of Justice at a cost to be fixed by statute was a question of money;

if the Government supplied cheap law in cities it was more necessary that similar concessions should be given in the country. That if it was found that the overtime worked by bank clerks and clerks in mercantile houses was without extra pay, enquiries would bo made : it was a matter of delicacy, however, as although an inspector might see a light in banks or business houses at night, ho might find tho owner or manager at work instead of a clerk. That enquiries would be made, and if it would not disturb the revenue too much, they would modify the charges on the postage of newspapers to England. That the Government did nat approve of the number of members of the Legislative Council being reduced to half the number of the House of Representatives, and that reform of the Legislative Council was a matter that should be introduced by a Bill. That a Liberal organiser was paid by Liberals out of Liberal funds. That in view of the dispute with the Midland Railway Company the Government did not think it wise to advise that the contract does not prevent Land Boards dealing with applications for taking up land iu districts interested. That the sooner the licensing law was altered giving magistrates discretionary power in the matter of endorsing licenses in the case of an unwitting breach of the law, the better it would he for the administration of justice. That the Government were making inquiries regarding tho establishment of direct communication between the colony and and Liverpool. Replying to Mr Taylor, who asked what was the difference between Ministerial travelling expenses and travelling allowances, the Premier said that he was pleased that Mr Taylor had asked a question about which he (Mr Taylor) knew everything ; he (the Premier) would therefore leave the questioner in that position. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30. SECOND READINGS. The Premier moved the second reading of tho Public Contracts Bill, Government Accident Insurance Bill, Mortgages Bill, Employment of Boys' and Girls Without Payment of Wages Prevention Bill.— Agreed to. LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS. Consideration of the Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill was resumed in Committee. After considerable debate as to the meaning of fair market value in clause 5, the Premier moved an amendment, the clause to read instead of market value, “ have regard only to the value of the land and loss (if any) to the claimant of business occasioned by such compulsory taking.” A largo number of amendments were* made and new clauses added. The Bill as amended was reported to the House, and the amendments set down for consideration cn Tuesday. The House rose at 2 p.m.