PARLIAMENTARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5686, 3 October 1896, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY.

«■ ■ [Per Press association.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, Oct. 2. AFTERNOON SITTING. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.ni* GOLD-TREATING PROCESS. The Hon R. H. J. Reeves gave notice ihat on Monday he would ask the Minister if Education whether the Government had aad its attention called to a new process ■or treating refractory ores called the ore itomic process. If this method were proved of value would the Government ;ake immediate steps to secure the patent rights of the process for this colony ? workmen's wages. The amendments proposed by the Labour Bills Committee in the Worknen's Wages Act Amendment Bill consist n striking out the preamble, tho clause naking gum-digging subject to the proirisions of the Truck Act, and the clauses ; rom 9 to 18, as well as the schedule dealng with the wages statement to be furlished by contractors. • • ■ . PETITION. : A petition by Mr John Ross and other Directors of the New Zealand Refrigeratng Company, Limited, asking that the lompanies engaged in refrigerating should do exempted from paying an annual license :oe, was presented to the Council by the Eon W. I). Stewart. . ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS BILL. The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act Amendment Bill was received from the Lower House and read a first time. LOCAL BILLK. The Bishop Sutcr Art Gallery Trustees Bill, Waimakariri Harbour Board Land Bill, and Otago Boys' and Girls' High 3chools Board Empowering Bill passed their anal stages. LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES. , On the motion for the third reading of the government Loans to Local Bodies Act imeudment Bill, the Minister of Education asked tho Speaker for his ruling is to whether the clause inserted, on bhe previous sitting day with. . a view to the prevention of the seizure of sinking :uhds was not a money clause which would seriously alter the finance of the colon y, md either impose a burden upon the taxpayers or diminish revenue. Ho quoted from May and other authorities in support jf his contention that the clause was a money clause. It was not desirable thafc bhis Chamber should take a step which might create friction between the two branches of the Legislature. The Hon. T. Kelly a.iso supported this riew, and the Hon W. D. Stewart stated that this clause did deal with the finances af the country, and that there could bo no question that the Council had exceeded its power. The Hon C. C. Bowen said that the real question at issue was whether the measure was a money Bill or not. The Hon J. Macgbegob claimed that the Council, as a co-ordinate branch of the Legislature, had a perfect right to interpret what the legislation meant when there was a bond fide doubt of its meaning. He also contended that this was a mere machinery clause, and in support of his arguments quoted from a ruling given by bhe Speaker of tlie Legislative Council in New South Wales. The Hon Dr Gkace said that .nothing but the most strained interpretation cotild convey the impression that this was a money Bill. The Speaker intimated that he would give his ruling on next sitting day, and the Minister thereupon deferred moving the third reading of the Bill till af tor the ruling had been given. MINING COMPANIES. x The Mining Companies Acts Amendment* Bill was read a second time on the motion of the Minister of Education. LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS. In committee upon the Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill the clause dealing with provisions for the disposal of lands acquired was struck out, and new clauses inserted, as proposed by the Waste Lands Committee. By this alteration applicants are required to state whether they are landless or not. By 19 to 11 the subsection allowing the Minister to sail coal, lime or stone procured from lantl acquired under tho principal Act was struck out, as suggested by the Waste Lands Committee. The section providing that if laud should be required for workmen's homes the whole block belonging to one owner neod Dot be taken, was struck out by IS to 9. The clause providing that in case of areas exceeding 20,000 acres, the whole block need not be taken, was then struck out on fche voices. With respect to allotments for workmen's homes, the area of each allotment was altered from five to three acres. The section exempting lands acquired nnder the principal Act from certain conditions, in respect to mining and foreshore rights wn3 struck out by 22 to 5. Tho Bill was then reported with amendments. SHIPPING AND SEAMEN. In Committee upon the Shipping and Seamen Act Amendment Bill, Tho Hon W. T. Jennings moved tlie following amendment : — " Any vessel engaged in tho coastal or intercolonial trade and carrying at least four certificated able seamen shall, in addition, carry apprentices or boys as follows : One apprentice or boy to a vessel of 100 tons and less than 500 tons register, two apprentices or boys to a vessel of 500 and loss than 1000 tons register, three apprentices or boys to a vessel of ICOO tons register and upwards, provided that this should apply only to sailing vessels/ The proviso was objected to by the Hon J. Rigg, who called for a division, and was defeated by 25 to 3. . An amendment, moved by the Hon W. D. Stewart, to allow Collectors of Customs to exempt vessels under special circumstances, was carried, and the Hon W. T. Jonnings's amendment was agreed to. At 5 p.m. the Council adjourned till 7.30 p.m.