HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5295, 27 June 1895, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wbdnbbdat, Juke 26. APTEBNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30, Mr Guinness iai the chair. QUESTIONS, Beplying to Mr Larnaoh, The Hon J. M'Kbnzib said that no Officer in the Government, service had saked for the privilege of holding a seat «i a director of a pnbuo or other company, mud the Government did not think it desirable they should do so. Replying to Mr J. G. Wilßon, The Hon B. J. Sjsddon Baid that the ■question of prohibiting a license from being transferred from one township to another ©ould be dealt with in the Alcoholio Liquors Sale Control Bill. Saplying to the, Hon W. J. SteVard, whether, to meet the unemployed difficulty, 4he Minister would forthwith arrange to pat in hand reading, drainage and timberfelliug works on land to be thrown open for occupation by workmen engaged 6n the' alternate system, _ The Hon J. M'Kbnmh Baiathat some «raeb. arrangement was being made, but it could only be done where good land was available.

Beplying to Mr Joyce, The Hon B. J. Seddon said that the ■Government could not see its way to eet «p a commission to inquire into the case of the convict Louis Chemie.

Replying to Mr G. J. Smith, TW Hon W. P. Ebrves said that an amending Shops and Sbop Assiatanta Bill would be introduced, doing away with all exceptions under the Act, hat it wa9 doubtful if provision could be made for taking a poll of residents for fixing the day for the weekly half-holiday. Replying to the Hon W. J. Steward, recpeoting the unemployed throughout the colony, The Hon 8./ J. Siddon eaid that the government had at present aa many men •on the Otago Central and North Island Tronic Line as the appropriation would permit, but as regarded the Midland Sailway, plans and specifications were being prepared so as to comply with the law. Beplying to Mr Flatman, The Hon J. M'JCknzib said that a Bill would be introduced, dealing with the prevention of the invasion of rabbits on tlie property of Orown tenants. ' ■ . Beplying to Mr Lang, . The Hon W. P. Bbevbs said that the Government did its beat to employ local man in. want of work on the ao-operative «ystem. Beplying to the Hon W. J. Steward, The Hon W. P. Bhkvkb said that he had already given directions that the inspection of shearing aheda under the Factories Aot should be made prior to the shearing «aaßon. .

Beplying to Mr Lawry, , The Hon B. J. Skddon said he was ' willing to reconsider his decision as to %he granting of subsidies to the Fire Brigades of the colony, but his opinion was that those allowances should be paid -cither by the local authorities or the insurance companies- ' Beplying to Mr Flatman, The Hon J. M'Kbnzib said that a local Sill would be brought down this session in the direction of making domain and park boards elective. . .Beplying to the HonW. J. Steward, The Hon J. M'Kbnzib said that a Bill would be introduced making all rabbit > fenoes legal fences within the meaning of the Act.

Beplying to Mr Morrison, The H»n B- J- Seddoh Baid that efficient volunteers had some claim for exemption from serving on juries, and when the Juries Bill was before the House he should move in that direction. '

Beplying to Mr M'Gowan, The Hon W. P. Beeves said that a Bill which was being drafted would deal with the question of sending destitute persons back to the district they belonged to -within the meaning of the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act.

Bsplying to Mr Morrison, „ The Hon A. J. Cabman said that the ■cost of railway passes for volunteers had hitherto been paid by the Defence Department, but ac the Department had been imposed upon it was intended to restrict those passes. Replying to Mr Wilson, The Hon J. M'Kbnzib said that a Ixraua had been granted for the improvement of flax-dressing machinery last year, irat nothing had been done to warrant it. The Government would renew the bonuß this year for a longer period. Beplying to Sir B. Stout, The Hon J. M'Kbnzib said that it would depend on the progress of business in the House whether the Libel Bill would be introdaced this year. Beplying to Mr G. W. Bubboll, whether the Government will consider the desirableness during the present session of placing on all long distance railways in the colony, dining cars for the supply to the travelling public, at a fixed rate, of food and nonalcoholic drinKß, • The Hon A. J. Cadman said the matter

would have been considered, but owing to the time for which refreshment room licenses were hald, nothing could be done tift the end of the year.

Beplying to Mr Pirani, TheHon BrJ. Sbdcon aaid that legislation would be introduced providing; a ["legal status for Scenery Preservation \- Societies. / .-• a ... Beplying to Mr E. M. Smith, The Hon A. J. Cadman said that inquiries were being made of the AgentGeneral ao to the desirableness of lighting railway carriages by electricity^ Eeplying to Mr Maslin, whether the Government will amend the Abattoirs and SUnghter-houBC Act, 1894, especially the clause where a farmer competes against a Jbutche?, „ ' ' ■ ■ .-m .* . The HtfH B. J. Sbddon said that a necessity existed for some amendment in this direction. If the honourable gentle- «■ man eabmitted his objections in writing he would consnlt the law officers with a Tjew of introducing legislationi ; Replying to Mr Hall, whether the 'Government would amend the Advances to ■! Settlers Act so that three-fifths of the Talne of the securities offered should be advanced when applied for, . TheHoH J. ■M'KuNzrt said that a Bill would shortly be before the Houae to amend this Act, and amendments of thia : -Jtoture eonld be considered.

Beplyingtt) Mr Joyce, „,.,. The Hon B> J. Sbddon said that the Government had done its best to promote reciprocity with New South Wales but received no encouragement, and it had done the next best thing, namely, reciprocate with South Australia. Replying to Mr J.W.Kelly, The Hon B. J. Swddon said that there had been Borne communication on the subject of appointing additional Legislative CouncUlors, but at that stage he could say nothing further in the matter. Replying to Mr G. J. Smith, The Hon J. M'Kenzie said that the Government had received a report on the advisableness of establishing a fire insurance department on similar hues to the Life Insurance Department, but pending consideration of that report he could not give a definite reply to the question. Beplying to Mr Carnell, ...... The Hon W. P. Bebvbs said that he thought the time would have arrived about the beginning of next session for putting inspectors of schools under the direct control of the Department, with a view to their periodical removal to other districts. Replying to Mr O'Began, ....... The Hon B. J. Sbddon said that the ] Government was not in favour of changing the nanje of the colony from New Zealand to Maoriland. „ . . „ „ Replying to Mr Meredith, whether the Government would amend the Paotones Act, 1894, defining a place where two persona are employed as afaofcory,with a view of exempting small industries where a family of two or three persons are employed from the operation of the Act, The Hon W. P. Rbkvbb said that if he were to agree to this it would be to strike the bottom out of the Act, but he considered the fee of 5s excessive, and would be prepared to reduce it tola. , Replying to Mr Millar, ' ' ■. ' _ .. t " The Hon W. P. Beeveb said that he fehould confer With the Lands Department |o see whether a State farm could be Wablished in the South Island. Replying to Mr Joyce, whether the Government will provide one or more inebriate homes for the curative treatment of habitual drunkards who may be committed to . Buch home by magisterial authority, „ , '„. The Hon W. P. Rebvks said that this was a matte rof finance, and could not ba dealt with this year at any rate. Beplying to Mr E. M. Smith, The Hon B. J. Sbddon said that the purchase of the Manawatu Bailway would be dealt with in the Public Works Statement. OLD SOLBIHBB.

Mr E. M. Smith moved the adjournment of the House to refer to the claims of old soldiers and volunteers, and a lengthy debate aroße on the whole question. The Hon J. M'Kbnzik said that the question involved a large amount of money, about £60,000. He asserted that some had been greatly abused, and that men ■had got land for military Berviceß who bad no claim whatever to it. - . Tbe debate was interrupted by the 5.80 adjournment.