PARLIAMENTARY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 11341, 6 October 1898, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NEW ZEALAND. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. "Wednesday, October s.— The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at 2 30 p.m. The Lunatics Act Amendment Bill was re-committed, and an alteration made in the direction of limiting those who may apply to the Coutts for a supervision of an estate to relatives of the lunatic or the Public Trnstee. The Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill was reconsidered in Committee at Clause 5, which, after a long discussion, was agreed to with an additional proviso that notices on ownerd or occupiers of supected premises must be served by a sergeant or inspector of police. The BoiT. Mr Jones chen moved the repeal of sections 46 and 47 of the Act of 1681, with a view of abolishing the totalisator, but was interrupted by the Hop. Mr Walker, who aßked for the Chairman's ruling as to whether such a proposal was not an infringement of the privileges of the Lower House, seeing that it involved a retrenchment of revenue. The Speaker was summoned, and intimated that he would give a decision on the subject next day. The Council rose at 3.50 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, i Wednesday, October 5. — The Speak r took the cbair at 2 30 p m. The Inspection of Machinery Ac's Amendment Bill wan introduced, and read a first time by 33 to 26. The Joint Agricultural and Stock Committee reported on a petition of several butcher* referring to the Slaughtering and Inspection Bill. Mr Tay>or asked if the Government intended proceeding with the measure this session. The Hon. Mr McKensie paid the Bill was being blocked by Email batchers. A general discussion ensued on the Bili, several speakers contending that as small butchers were in the habit of se'ling diseased meat there was necessity for abattoirs. Others argued that large meat exporting companies exported their best meat and Bold infeiior meat in the colony." Another objection to the Bill was that if it became law the meat trade would be monopolised by large companies. Ultimately the report was agreed to. Ministers, in reply to questions, stated that the term of offi.:e of ihe present Agent- General expired on the lOch of January next, but the Government had not yet considered the question of appointing his successor : the Premier had no, intention of replacing the Hon. Mr Reeves as Agent General ; the law at present does not permit of coarse salt for agricultural purposes being admitted j free, and to do so would n quire an amendment of the tariff, of which there was little chance this session ; there is no power at present existing whereby the Gbvernment could prevent the export of fruit from infected districts' before being passed by the Government Inspector ; the report of the officer commanding the forces on the volunteer and permanent forces would be placed on the table of the House in a few days ; the defence of the cable station at Wakapuaka had been considered by the Defence Com mission, and every step considered necessary would be taken to defend the cable station ; as soon as the Old Age Tensions Bill was disposed of, the House would be asked to consider the amendments made by the Council in the Banking Bill. MrPirani moved the adjournment, of the House. Replies to questions were discussed till 5 30 p.m. On resuming at 7.30, the Old Age Pensions Bill was further considered in Committee. CJauie 58, particulars to be furnished to the Postmaster-General, Mr G. Hutchison moved, an a protest •gainst the measure being poshed on to the detriment of other equally important measures, that the Chairman leave the chair. The motion was negatived. A lengthy;, discussion ensued on a pro posal to amend the clause by the addition of! the words V and a copy of theO.'d Age Pensions Aot shall be posted at every post office In the colony ; also a list containing the names of pensioners whose instalments are payable at any post^ffice shall be kept thereat, and shall on application be open to inspection on payment of a fee of one shilling "_ Ultimately it was agreed to by 38 to 30 A proposed proviso that lists of pen sioners shall ba supplied to local bodies free of charge was negatived by 39 to 30, and the clause was agreed to. Clause 57, payment of imprest money into Po«t Office Account, Mr Kolleston moved to amend the clause in the direction of making appropriations for pensions an annual appro priation, in order to bring the Ac: into .conformity with the Education Act with regard to appropriations. Mr Seddon pointed out that if appropriations were made annually instead of, ■b proposed by the Bill, making appro* priation by the Bill and making it a permanent charge on the Consolidated Fund, in yeais of .depression the House would sacrifice the old people's pensions. It would cease to be a pension if it bad to. be paid by annnal appropriation. To meet those who objected to a permanent appropriation, he was prepared, although he did it with regret, to add the following proT<so to the c'anse : " Provided that this section shall continue in operation nntil the fourteenth day after the close of the second session of tb& nest Parliament and no longer." Mr Harries said the Premier's proposil was a conning trick, and was tantamount to saying that the House was not capable of contro ling the expenditure for three years. Mr Taylor a'so objected to the Premier's proposal. Mr R. '1 hompson said the proposal bad been made in order to entrap several weak-kneed objectors to permanent appropriations. So long as the country approved of old Age pensions annual appropriations would be granted by Parliament. Mr RoUeston's amendment was nega» tived by 36 to 34. Mr Seddon moved the addition of his proviso. Mr Montgomery moved to amend the Premier's proviso by declaring that the clause remain in operation till fourteen day b after the first session of the next Parliament. Mr Seddon objected to this proposal, as it wou'd result in pen-ions for the aged being made an election cry" at the next electoral contest. It' he wanted to make the old age pent-ions an election cry he would agr> c to Mr Montgomery's amendment, nor would he have pressed the Bill this session. After discussion, it was negatived by 39 to 30. Mr Crowtber moved an addition to the clause to provide that the total amount of pensions to be paid in the first year ehall not exceed £100,000, to be inert abed by £5000 each succeeding year. After further discussion the clause was pgreed to, and clauses 58 to 61 agreed to unaltered. Progress was then reported, and the House adjourned at 12 25 a.m.

| PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington. October 5 — The followjng is the division list on Mr EoUeston's amendment to clause 67 of Pensions Bill % - Ayes (34) for amendment : Allen - J , Bollard, Brown, Buchanan, Carson, Crowther, Duthie, Fraser, Stevens, Hunter, Hutchison G., Kaihau, Kelly, Lang, Larnach, Lethbridge, Lewis, McGuire, McLean, McNab, Massey, Monk, Montgomery, Moore, Pirani, Kolleiton, Russsell, Sligo, bmith, Taj lor, Thoaapaon B , Tnompaou J. W., Wason, and Wright. Noes (36) against amendment : Allen E. G , Cadman, Carncross, Carroll, Duncan, Feild, Fisher, Flatman, Gilfeddor, Graham, Hall-Jones, Hogg, Holland, Houston, Hadcheaon J., Joyce, Lawry,

McGowan, McKenzie J , McKenzie R. Meredith, Millar, Mill-*, Morrison, O'Meara, O'Began, Parata, Pere, Seddon, Stevens, B(ewart,Symo«, Tanner, Thompson T., Ward, and Wilson.