GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3507, 19 October 1899, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Weliihgton, October 16. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REAPPOINTMENT. A message was received from the Governor, announcing that Mr W. C. Walker, Minister of Education, had been reappointed a member of the Council. NATIVE BESERVE BILL. The second reading of the Natives Reserves Act Amendment Bill was agreed to on the motion of the Minister of Education. Mr Taiaroa protested against the Bill as likely to injure many natives. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS BILL. The Minister of Education moved the second reading of the Government Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill. It provided for a rebate being made on prompt interest payments, aud for a slight decrease in the margin of security. There was also an important new departure involved, of extending the operations of the Lending Departments to urban ani suburban properties. The second reading was agreed to on the voices, the committal of the Bill being made an Order of the Day for next afternoon. SECOND READINGS. The Kauri Gum Industry Act Amendment Bill and the Payment of Jurors Bill were read a second time. The Council rose at 1.10 p.m. October 17. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. THE NEW MEMBERS. Mr Bolt, Mr Jennings, Mr Feldwick. Mr T. Kelly, Mr Montgomery, and Mr Kerr, the newly-appointed mombers of the Council, resumed their seats after taking the customary oath. LOCAL GOVERNMENT VOTING REFORM BILL. The Minister of Education intimated that, as soon as the Local Government Voting Reform Bill had been assented to, the clerks of County Councils throughout the colony would be informed of the provisions of the measure. THE FACTORIES BILL. On the motion of the Minister of Education a proviso was added to the Factories Act Amendment Bill, to the effect that the j hours of labour for females in woollen mills or jam factories should be not more than eight and a half per day. j The new clause inserted by the H<use, j altering the definition of " factory" was j opposed by the Minister, and by, 10 votes ' to 10. it was decided to appoint; Managers to hold a Conference on the subject, aud to draw up reasons for disagreeing. Tho Gove-nincnt A- vanes to Sei-ilers Act passed through Committee without ; amendment. I The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. BILLS PASSED. The Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Bill, the Payment or Jurors Bill, and ,' the Labour Day Bill passed their dnai stages. BILLS ADVANCED. The Police Ptovident Fund Bill was partially considered in committee and progress reported. Tl a Marlborough High School Bill passed throvgh committee with amendments. The Council rose at 9 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, October 10. The House met at 2.30p.m. THE PUBLIC WORKS DEBATE. Mr Cadman moved to go into Committee of Supply. Captain Russell commenced the debate on the Public Works Statement. Mr Morrison, Mr G. Hutheson, Mr Duthie, Mr Hogg, Mr Seobie Mackenzie, the Premier, Mr Buchanan, Mr Hall-Jones, Mr Rolleston, Mr Duncan, Mr McGuire, MiMills, Mr Massey, Mr Lang, Mr Herries, Mr Sligo, Mr Flatman, and Mr Cadman spoke. The motion to go into Supply was carried, and progress was immediately afterwards reported. The House rose at 3.10 a.m. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE TRANSVAAL CONTINGENT. In reply to a question, the Premier said that before the session closed, he would give to the House the fullest information, consistent with the responsibility of the Government, concerning the Transvaal Contingent. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The House went into Committee of Supply on the Public Works Estimates. Immigration, £l 5O. In reply to Mr Rolleston the Hon. Mr Hall Jones said the information promised re expenditure on the Mohikinui coal mine would be furnished before the end of the session. A discussion on all sorts of matters followed, after which the immigration vote was passed unaltered. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Consideration of the Public Works Estimates was resumed in committee. Railways, £561,500. Item, GisborneKaraka, .£6' 00. After a debate the item was carried by 37 to 13. During the debate on tbe item PaeroaWaihi, Mr Pi rani alleged that Mr Fisher used the wor is " You're a monkey" to him. On the matter being reported to the Spe iker, Mr Fisher denied having used the words attributed to him. Several members testified that they heard the term complaiued of ullerc-d by Mr Fisher towards Mr Pirani. Mr Fisher having retired the Speaker held that the bulk of the evidence showed that the words were used. The Premier md 1 .? I that Mr Fi=hev having denied using tiia words and there being a conflict of Testimony on the subject tho House proceed no further in the m.liter. Ihe motion was carried. Mr Fisher reentered the House and business was lesmned in commit tee. Paeroa-Wailn railway, £6OOO. The vote was retained by 37 to 13. Northwards, £12,000. Retained by 44 to 6. Replyirg to questions, the Minister of Public Works said that he was not satisfied j with the progress made with the Makohim: : viaduct, although the men were working three shifts. He had given instructions to push the work on with all speed, but he estimated that it would take ten months to complete the viaduct. He estimated that the'line' would be completed through to Auckland in five years. ' Mr Rolleston and Mr Duthie protested against the expenditure of £60,000 on the Midland line, the former stating that he was prepared to use means to stop useless expenditure until he got a satisfactory explanation from the Government as to their intentions respecting the line. Ho pontended that the country should have an opportunity of expressing an opinion as to whether the line should be further proceeded with before any more money was spent upon it. The Premier said the Midland Railway had ao often been before House that he did not think it necessary to explain anything about it. The Government was in no way responsible for the difficulty that had arisen with the Midland Railway Co., by which the Government were compelled to take possession and carry on tho- line. ' Mr Pirani moved to reduce the vote by £s'doQ, as an indication that the' House objects to' further expenditure on the line, —Lost by 30 to 21. Mr Herries moved to report progress at 3.30 a.m. Captain Russell complained that the Minister was attempting to force the Public Works' estimates through at one sitting. Ihe motion to report progress was withdrawn. ' • ''At 4.3 Q it was agreed to pass the railwiy vote, and to meet at noon. " > The total railway vote was passed with, out reduction. Progress was then reported, and the House rose at 4 50 a.m. The House met at noon. Consideration of the Public Works Estimates was resumed. Class 4, construction and maintenance of roads, .was under discussion at the adjourn.pieafc at 1 o'clock, "