HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4430, 6 July 1882, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

EVENING SITTING.

Wednesday, Juiy 5. The House met at 7.30 p.m. NOTICB OF QUESTION.

Mr Gbobgb gave notice to ask if Government would place the Hinemoa at the disposal of members from the South Island, so as to enable them to visit Auckland and become better acquainted with that part of the Colony. SINKING FTOD. Major Atkinson asked leave to lay on the table a return, showing how the Sinking Fund was invested. He did this, owing to some doubtß having been expressed as to the reality of the fund. PBIVATB Bill. The report of the Committee on the Ashburton Council Further Empowering Bill was read, finding the preamble proved and recommending that the Bill be passed with certain amendments. MESSAGE FBOII THE GOVEBNOB. A message was received from the Administrator of Government, giving his assent to the Corrupt Praotioes Prevention Act Amendment Bill, the Auckland Harbour Board further Empowering Bill, Lands Bill, and the two Imprest Supply Bills. PETITION. Mr Ruthebfobd presentod a petition, praying for enquiry into the administration of the Kaitangata Relief Fund, and expressing a belief that it would be found to have been unfairly administered. NOTICE OV MOTION. Mr Hutchison g&ve notice to move that it is expedient to abolish the Grand Jury system. SECOND HEADINGS. Mr Stewakd moved the second reading of the Coroners Act Amendment Bill. The motion was put and carried. BILL 7ASSBD. The House went into Committee on the Dogs Registration Act, 1880, Amendment Bill, which was reported without amendments, read a third time, and passed. TAGBAHT ACT AMRNDMHNT. On the question for going into Committee on the Vagrant Act Amendment Bill the House divided— Atbs, 47 ; Nobs, 24. In Committee Mr Hubsthouse moved — " That the power of inflicting whipping be not, as proposed by the Bill, entrusted to two J.P.'s." Ho argued that it would be [ unsafe to entrust suoh a fearful punishment to the hands of J.P.'s. Mr Fbldwick moved that the punishment be provided for on a second conviction. He could understand that such a penalty might lead to the most dire consequences. The Bon T. Dice proposed that it be restricted to males. As the Act stood it applied equally to females. Mr Tubnbull moved that progress be reported. He argued that the Bill was totally uncalled for. As the law stood, 12. months' imprisonment was provided, and that was enough. It would be as well to mutilate offenders of this kind at once ; it was a most reprehensible measure altogether. The motion for reporting progress was withdrawn. Mr Mobs moved that the Chairman leave the chair, expressing his abhorrence of the Bill. The Vugrant Act as it stood was a blot upon the Statute Book. If such a Bill as this was required, it ought to be brought down by Government, and not as it had been, in a surreptitious manner. That, he thought, was a sufficient reason for pausing, and not allowing irresponsible persons to bring in a matter of such vital import;

Mr Fish- concurred that the responsibility ought to rest, and, in fact, did rest, with Government. The punishment of the lash was the most frightful that could be inflicted, and they ought to pause before allowing such a provision to pass into law. Mr Macandbbw thought something was required to put down the evil aimed at ; still he did not approve of the Bill as it stood. Mr Joyce supported the motion for leaving the chair, contending that the law as. it stood was sufficient to meet the requirements of the case. What was wanted was a more healthy state of public feeling, which would lead to these eases, when committed, being proßecuted.

MrTAWHAi desired to know if the Bill was to be applied to the Native race* With the view of gaining information on that head, he supported the motion for reporting progress. Mr O 1 Callage Air, who was in charge of the Bill, stated that it was intended to apply to both sections of the colonists.

Mr Bhbehan said that the well-known Maori haka would be considered an exposure uader the Aot. . The Bill was in conflict with the Act it proposed to amend. Under the old Act, one J.P. could punish the offence,, whereat, under this Act, two were required. He thought further time should bo taken to consider the proposal. In reply to a question put, the Hon T. Dick said the Bill had come down from the other Chamber, and he was not aware if it had been revised by the Law Officers of the Grown.

Captain Mobbis eaid that the exposure must bo wilful and malicious. Such being the case, no magistrate would convict under a Maori haka.

Mr Watt said that if the Natives were not exempted from the operations of the Bill, he would voto against it. Mr Munbo suggested that it should be mado an indictable offence, in order that the question of commißßion might be decided by a jury. Colonel Teimble supported tho proposal to make it an indictable offence. That was the only safe course he could see if the Bill was to bo passed. Mr Mosa said that the Bill included women and children, and such a power ought not to be entrusted to minor Judges. He had been appealed to to withdraw his amendment but he would not ; he felt strongly on the subject. Mr M. W. Gbbkn would vote for progress being reported, as he had been givon to understand that tho member in charge of tho Bill would not accept the proposal to make it an indictable offence.

Mr Montgomery would regret to sco the power entrusted to a Magistrate. He suggested that tho Magistrate should be allowed to administer tho Aot as it originally stood, but in the event of the laeh being required then he thought the case should go to a jury.

Mr Bbaokbk denounced the Bill as calculated to bring about tho most serious oonsequencos upon comparatively innocent persons.

Mr Hutchison was disappointed with the tone of the debate throughout. It was tho punishment to which he objected, no, matter by whom it might bo inflicted. Sir Q. Gbby also intimated that it wai the oharactor of the puaißhniont to which he objected, no matter by vh -»fc tribunal it might bo inflicted. The motioD for leaving tho Chair was put, and the Committee divided c— Ayes, 22 :

The motion for inserting the words " male persons " was put and carried on the voices. After further discusfiion, Mr O'Callaghan accepted an amendment by Mr Sbeehan, providing that if the Resident Magistrates or Justices were of opinion that the present legal punishment was insufficient to meet any case, they might commit the offender for trial ; and tho Judge of the Supreme Court should have power to add flogging to other punishments.

The Bill was reported as amended. EIGIIT HOPES BILL.

Tbe Eight Hours Bill was reported and agreed to, read a third time and passed.

LAW OP LIBEL.

Tho Hon T. Dick resumed tho debate on the second reading of the Libel Bill, No. 3. Clause 7 waß out of placa, and ought not to be in the Bill. Referring to Clause 4, he said it appeared to omit printers, and he saw no reason why they should not have the protection provided for the others.

Tho motion for the second reading was carried.

MISCELLANEOUS

In Committee an address to the Governor was considered, requesting a sum of £500 to be placed on the estimates for the completion of tho road to Otago Heads. The Hon W. Rollbston objected, and progress was reported. Mr ifisn moved the second reading of the Taranaki Iron Smelting Work Land Act, 1874, Amendment.

The motion was carried

The Employment of Females Act Amendment Bill, Bchool Committee Election Bill, end Small Birds Nuisance Bill were committed.

After the School Committees Bill had been disoufsed, Mr Stewabd moved that progress be reported.

The Committee divided : Ayes. 26 ; Noes, 20.

The Small Birds Nuisance Bill was discussed at some length. Captain Mackenzie moved that progress be reported.

Negatived on the voices. [Left sitting at 1.35 a.m.l - 1