PARLIAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4765, 4 October 1893, Page 1

PARLIAMENT.

[Per. Pbbss Association/] Legislative Council. Toesday, Oct. 3.\ AFTEBNOON SITTING. The Council met at 2.30. CRIMINAL CODE. A message from the Governor was received containing an amendment in the Criminal Code Bill referring to the abandonment of children. The amendment was agreed to on the motion of the AttorneyGeneral. workm.en'.s wages. The Eon W. Montgomery moved that the Council do not insist upon its amendments in the Workmen's Wages BilJ. This was lost on the voiceß, and the Hons Bowen, Stevena and Oliver were^ appointed managers to draw up reasons for the Council insisting upon its amendments. LAND ACT AMENDMENT. Tha Colonial Secretary moved that the Council do not insist upon the amendments in the Land Act Amendment Bill. This was lost by 17 to IG, and the Hon W. D. Stewart moved that the Hona Whyte, Stevena and himself be appointed managers to draw uprea3ons for insisting upon the Council's amendments in the Bill. BATING ACT AMENDMENT. The Colonial Secretary moved tha second reading of the Kating Act Amendment Bill, which came from the House, and explained its provisions. The Hon E. C. J. Stevens remarked that the Bill contained exceedingly impoitanfc«changes, afte^r a period "of,. eleven years under the Bill which had been introduced under the regime of the late Sir ■ Harry Atkinson. .He aaked the Government how they were to effect a satisfactory change Beeing that the local bodies had not been asked for any opinion on the matter. The annual value of land had heretofore been assessed, but under this Bill the capital value would be assessed. He regarded the rating of Native owners ao being a most important question, but he feared that difficulty would-be experienced in collecting the rates under the provisions of the Bill. Referring to the third part of the Bill, viz., the exemption of improvements, he feared that the principle had been run to death, and he had no hesitation in saying that the Bill would oppress poor people. He knew many instances in which houses erected on land were ■worth three, four, yes, and six times the I value of tho land. He feared that the ! utter want of knowledge of whatwa3 required would lead to disastrous effects. | Then again, in laud c 1039 to towns utilised as market gardens the effect would prove disastrous to poor persons. The Hon G. M'Lean joined with Mr Stevens in-hia statement that tho Bill was i one of tho utmost importance to thestruggling settlers o£ the Colony. He thought the oetMsrs should be allowed to fis their own assessments as to whether these should be annual or capital valuations. He regarded with disfavour the Native rating elaußes, as he also did part three of the Bill. j The Hon E. Oliver Btrongly opposed part three as being entirely in the interests |- of rich men, and expressed the hope that i in Committee part three would be struck i out. The rating of land under part three I would mean confiscation. I The Hon W. Montgomery warmly defended the provisions of the Bill, and ridiculed the idea that confiscation would follow. He went further and said that had such provisions been enforced before, land which now was unoccupied in citiej and towns would long ere this have been improved. The Hon S. E. Shrimski regretted that circumstances did nob warrant owners of property building upon their town sections, asd to tax their unimproved Eestions virtually meant confiscation. The Hon W. M. Bolt thought that the whole of the municipal taxation should be [ borne by the owners of unimproved property. The Hon H. K. Taiaroa expressed his disapproval of 'ohe Bill so far as it related to the ratifig of Native land. It was unfair because the Natives were debarred from leasing or selling their lands. The second reading was agread to, the committal being fixed for next day. The dinner adjournment was then taken. EVENING SITTING. The Council resumed at 7.30. ' CONSPIRACY BILL. On the motion of the Colonial Secretary the Conspiracy Bill was discharged from the Order Paper. ELECTORAL BILL. The Colonial Secretary moved that the Council do not insist on its amendments in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. The Hon G. M'Leaa expressed the hope that the Council would so insist. He failed to see why women should not be placed on the same footing as commercial travellers, shearers and seamen. Sir G. S. Whitmore supported the conr tention of Mr M'Lean. The Hon C. C. Bowen thought that now women had the franchise every facility should be afforded them to exercise their privilege. He moved that Mr M'Lean, Sir G. S. Whitmore and himself be the managers to attend a conference with the other House. The Colonial Secretary said he regretted personally that the Bill had been passed, but having been passed he hoped the Council would not insist on it 3 amendments. Tha Council divided on the notion, the voting being equal — ayeß 13 and noes 13. The Speaker gave his casting vote for the noes. The Hon C. C. Bowen moved that Mr M'Lean, Sir G. S. Whitmore and himself be appointed managers to attend the conference. * This was agreed to. • workmen's wages. The Hons Oliver, Bowen and M'Lean were appointed managers to confer with j the House on the question at issue in the Workmen's Wages Bill. COALFIELDS. The Westland and Nelson Coalfields Bill was after discussion committed. A number of verbal amendments were agreed ta, and j the Bill as amended was reported, the amendments not being material. The Bill pa3sed its final stages. STOCK. Tke Stock Bill was committed. Clause 42, annual dipping compulsory. The Hon L. Walkkr moved as an amendment the excision of the word "May," in order to substituto "December," the eifeco being to make the time of dipping optional on the part of flock owners. The amendment was agreed to on the voices. Clauoe 53, stock to be driven only in the day time. The Hon L. Walker moved in tho proviso of the clauoe .an exemption enabling any peraon or his servant to drive Bheep to of from a railway on a public road

after dark* He was within the mark when ho said that week after week farmers who objected to Belling their flocks at the ] Aldington market, except at a sacrifice, were compelled to drive them home the same night. . ' , The Government accepted tho amend- ] menfc oh the understanding that the limit; i for driving sheep before or after dark i should be restricted to six mileß to or from any public Balayard. j Clause 82, "Protection of inspectors," was amended on the. motion o£ Mr Stewart 1 in the direction of making it compulsory for any person having a grievance against an inspector to commence an action within i tares months. The Bill a3 amended was reported and put through the final stages. MINING ACT. The Mining Act Amendment Bill No. 2 waß received fnom the House and read the first time. LAND DRAINAGE. - The Land Drainage Bill was further considered ia Committee on the postponed clause 40, " Provisions of the Eating Act applied to the Eeceiver." . i The Attobnet-Genbral explained that the Eating Bill before the Council would not affect the Drainage Bill. There were i other legal quostiona in the Drainage Bill relative to the Eating Bill which Mr Stevens had raised, and he would be glad to have* a consultation with Mr Stevens ; and the drafter of the Bill next day, in order to obviate the questions at issue. Progress was reported, and the Council rose till next day.