LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 10699, 22 August 1896, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Friday, August 21.— The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m; A motion by Hon Mr Bolt for the reintroduction of the Female Law Practitioners Bill was carried after a hostile amendment by Hon. Mr Arkwright had beeulo*t b\ 17 to 15. The Medical Practitioners Registration Act Amendment Bill and tho Public Morgues Bill wefd read a third time and passed. The Minister of Education, in resuming the debate upon the second reading of the Chatham Island County Constitution Bill paid that ia Committee he would move a clause providing that the measure should; not come into f^force until a vote of settler? in the Island had decided to bring it in force. The Minister would defer the passing of the measure till the opinion of the islanders baa been expressed at a public meeting. The matter was then postponed for a week. Hon Mr Jennings moved the second reading of the Shearers' Accommodation Bill. In the debate that ensued, Hon. Mr Ormond said that this legislation would injuriously affect the shearers, as a large number of the sheds would be forced to take only Maori shearers, who were exempted from the provisions of tho Bill. Subsequently Col. Whitmore moved to kill the measure. This amendment was carried by 14 to 10, and tho Bill was rejected. At 5 p.m* the Council rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Fbidat, August 21.— The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. Leave of absence for the remainder of the session, on account of ill-health, was granted to Mr Macintosh, after si long debate, by 30 to 16. Replying to questions, it was stated that those who were agitating for a flax expert to be sent to England and America appeared to be too sanguine in the matter ; that the question of placing a sum on the estimates for the geological survey of the northern goldfields was under consideration ; that the Government did not intend to subordinate their policy measures to get the Alcoholic Liquors Bill through this session. It was a measure that ought to be dealt with. Mr Millar asked the Colonial Treasurer whether, in view of the position disclosed by the Union Bank's balance-sheet, and the fact that its liabilities in the colony exceeds ita assets by £700,000, the Government will, in the interests of depositors, introduce legislation making it compulsory on all banks to have an excess of assets over liabilities in New Zealand . Mr Seddon said this opened up a very large question, but he thought each of tho banko doing business in the colony should have thoir asseta and liabilities iv a better position, lie thought this was a phase of the question that s>bould be dealt with, and tbe asacs should be somewhat equal to the H.vbilit-ÜB. Tbe rest of the afternoon was occupied in discussing tho replies given by the Ministers to question*. Tho House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. Messrs 15. JM. Smith, Buddo, Willis, and Allen having spoken, the debate on the seco'id reading of the Aid to Public Works and the Land Settlement Bill was adjourned. The House rose at 12.40 a.m.