HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6052, 14 December 1897, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Moneat, Dec. 13. EVENING SITTING. The H<fc«se met at 7.30 p.m. ■ QG3STIONS. Eeplying to the Hon W, Rolleston, The Pkemier said that be would flo his best to have the Public Works Statement down to-morrow night. He regretted to state that his colleague, the Minister of Lands, was seriously ill at present. Eeplying to the Hon J. G. "Ward, The Premier said that he would aot be a party to breaking the law by allowing unqualified persons to treat for -sancer cures.

HOROWHENUA. Mr Houston brought iap the report of the Native Affairs Committee on the Horowhenua Block Bill. Mr Pirani moved an amendment, that the report should be referred back to the Committee, for the purpose of taking the evidence of Sir Walter Buller, Major Kemp and Mr Theo. Cooper. The amendment was lost by 30 to 24. MAIL SEBVECES. The Premier moved that the House should resolve itself into committee of the whole to consider certain proposals relative to the San Francisco mail service and the Vancouver mail service. He said that the time for the San Franeisoo service expired in October, but the Government proposed to extend the time till March next. He referred at some lengthto communications made between the Government and the United States Government on the subject of the San Francisco mail service, and said that the colony had not benefited for the last four years by American trade. He said that in 1890 our trade with America amounted to .£400,000, whilst thentrade with us was only .£200,000. Last year our trade was .£200,000, whilst theirs was .£400,000. He had no hesitation, however, in saying that as regards tourist traffic the colony benefited very largely by this route. He pointed out that the time from Auckland to San FraDcisco was to be reduced from twenty to nineteen days, and he felt convinced that this could easily be done. After referring at length fco the advantages to be gained by the colony from the Vancouver mail service, he said that the Imperial authorities favoured direct connection with Canada, and he thought that the proposal submitted by the Government would meet with their approval. The Government, however, wished to do the best for the colony. The House went into committee. The Premier proposed motions which have previously been published. They were to. the effect that the Government should be empowered to establish a fourweekly mail service to Vancouver from December, 1897, to March 31, 3899, with a guaranteed minimum payment of .£7500, the time occupied in the trip between Wellington and Vancouver not to exceed twenty-one days. The notices respecting the San Francisco service authorised the extension for twelve months from March 31, 1898, with a guaranteed minimum payment of .£7500 and a service of nineteen days. A long discussion took place. I Mr Millar, with respect to the San Francisco motions, moved a new clause to the effect that not less than the current rate of wages in New South Wales for seamen should be paid by the contractors. Agreed to. Mr M'Lean moved a new clause — That the steamers should be not less than 3000 gross tonnage. Agreed to. Mr Millar moved a new clause for the Vancouver service, that not less than the current rate of wages in New South Wales for seamen should be paid by the contractors. Agreed to. The resolutions as to both routes were then agreed to. MASTER AND APPRENTICE. The Master and Apprentice Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 3, apprentices. \ Mr Monk moved to strike out the subsection providing that no young person shall be apprenticed except by deed of partnership under this Act. Lost by 36 to 15. Clause 16, wages of apprentices. Mr Holland moved that apprentices shall be paid in the third year 25 per cent of the standard rate payable to journeymen, instead of 35 per cent. Carried by 27 to 20. Mr Holland eventually agreed to the insertion of 30 per cent for the third year, and 40 per cent instead of 50 for the fourth year. The clause as amended was carried by 28 to 16. Clause 21. Mr Smith moved that the Act should apply to all skilled handicrafts carried on by the Government. The Premier thought that Mr Smith had better leave the Government alone in this respect, and said that the Bill in no way applied to Government departments. He should not consent to have the Bill destroyed by an amendment of this kind. After a lengthy debate, Mr Smith's amendment was lost by 24 to 23. Several new clauses were added to the Bill. Mr E. jll'Kenzie moved a new clause, that the Bill should only have effect in boroughs of 5000 inhabitants or over. Lost by 30 to 17. [Left sitting at 2 a.m.]