HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6551, 3 August 1899, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, August 2. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. PETITIONS. Mr Hogg presented a petition, praying that interest under the Advances to Settlers Act should be reduced to 4 per cent. Mr Rawlins presented a petition, praying for an extension of the Otago Central line of railway to Cyde. • BILLS. Leave was given to introduce the Law of Copyright Bill (Mr Joyce) and Inspection of Schools Bill (Mr Gilfedder). The Bills were read a first time. Mr Taylor gave notice of a Bill to abolish compulsory vaccination. DEATHS. IN LYTTELTON GAOL. The Premier tabled the report of the Commissioner of Police on tha cases of Kay and I}r Malone, who died in Lyttelton Gaol while suffering from alcoholism. The Pre- \ inier said that it would cost over £4000 to provide accommodation at the Christchurch lock-up for such cases. ' Mr Taylor said that he considered that the Government was very neglectful in such cases. Gaol was no place for such cases, which ought to be sent to the hospital. Hospitals should be compelled to receive them. Mr Crowther said that hospitals were not the proper place for such cases. Special provision should be made for them. Mr Bollard said that the Auckland Hospital provided accommodation for. such cases. Messrs Smith, Pirani and Meredith said that they considered that greater provision should be made for the cure of inebriates. The Premier said that he had laid the re-, port of Mr Tunbridge before the House with a view to allay public feeling that cases of drunkenness were not properly looked after in the lock-up, and as a reply to adverse-criti-cism in connection with the cases cited. If the State had got to be saddled with such cases, it would cost a large sum. He contended that hospitals -vrere the proper place for treatment. . The police had a most unpleasant duty to perform in such cases, and he denied that they were callous in the treatment of subjects. RETURN. Mr Fisher asked for a return showing the amount of legal expenses paid by the Government during the year. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, Ministers said that they had no intention to amend the Land Act, to allow a licensee, with the right of purchase, to acquire the freehold in three, instead of ten years. That the Government had inquired into the case of two boys sentenced to two months' imprisonment, for the larceny of a small sum of money at Featherston, and did not think, under the circumstances, that the sentence was too severe. That the cost of making a resurvey of the coast of New Zealand would amount .to between £30,000 and £50,000, and that the Admiralty were being communicated with in regard to the. matter. That ' the Government would endeavour to abolish plural voting in counties. WAIKAKAHI. Mi- Hutchison moved that tbe correspondence with regard to the purchase of the i Waikakalu Estate, under the Land for Settlements Act, the proceedings of the Purchase Board, and a copy of the transfer should be laid on the table. The Premier objected to furnishing the return. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. ;

' EVENING SITTING. The House met at 7.30 p.m. THE LOCAL OPTION POLL. The Local Option Scrutineers Bill was read a second time. COMPANIES BILL. Tho House went into committee on the Companies Act, 1882, Amendment Bill, the '. object of which was. to prevent any life insurance company commencing business in New Zealand with less paid-up capital than £10,000. Mr Taylor and Mr Smith contended that no life insurance company should be allowed to do business in the colony unless under unlimited liability. The Bill had been introduced with the best intentions, but purely in the interests of shareholders. Mr Buchanan said that -he thought that the amount of capital was too small. Mr Allen said that he thought it dangerous to limit the capital of such companies to £10,000, and he feared that such companies would interfere with the friendly societies. - Mr Millar believed that under the Bill policy-holders would have ample security and that friendly societies would not be interfered with. Captain Russell said that he thought that the class 'of business dealt with in the Bill ought to be overtaken by the Government Life Department. Mr Rawlins said that he considered that the House should be put in possession of

the facts regarding the financial position of such companies. Mr Tanner said that he did not think that there would be any opposition to the Bill if the capital were raised to £50,000. Mr Fraser said that he had no objection to the Bill if unlimited qualification were retained. Mr Taylor said that he considered that it was the duty of the House to protect the class of people who insured with such companies. Doing away with the unlimited liability of shareholders decreased the value of every policy. . ' Mr Meredith said that he believed that the member in charge of the Bill (Mr Millar) intended to protect the interests of the industrial classes who insured for small sums payable weekly, but he would not support a measure that would apparently rob them. Mr Millar pointed out that the companies aimed at were already doing business in the colony, and the Bill was intended to protect the interests of policy-holders. Captain Russell contended that, if the statement of Mr Millar was correct, some Australian companies doing business in New Zealand were in a very shaky condition and offered no security for the policies paid. The Government ought to give the House a lead on the subject of the Bill. Progress was reported on the Bill. CALIFORNIAN THISTLE. Mr Massey moved the second reading of the Californian Thistle Bill. The Hon W. Hall-Jones suggested that the Bill should be referred to the Agricultural Committee. Mr Pirani and Mr Moore supported the Bill. The Hon J. Carroll suggested that the Bill should be postponed, with a view to the subject being, provided for. in the Noxious Weeds Bill now before the House. Mr Kelly said that he hoped that the measure would be passed, and said that it would prove of great benefit to farmers in Southland. Mr Flatman and Mr Symes supported the Bill, the latter urging that the Blackberry should be included. Mr Montgomery claimed that unless Parliament passed the Bill great injury would be done to the colony. Mr Meredith said that be did not think that the Californian thistle was the general nuisance that some people represented it to be. Mr M'Lean said tliat he thought that instead of making speeches members ought to go into committee and deal with the measure. The Californian thistle threatened to destroy large tracts of land in the colony. Mr Massey having replied, the second reading was carried on the voices. MORTGAGES. Mr Mills moved that the House should go into committee on the Property Law Consolidation Act, 1883, Amendment Bill. The mover explained that the Statutes 'Revision Committee had amended the Bill in the direction that three months' notice should be given of intention to pay off a mortgage, also three months notice before exercising power of sale. After a long discussion the House went into committee on the Bill. Clause IA — Mr Montgomery moved an amendment that the Bill should not come into operation until January, 1900, and tliat it should not apply to any mortgages effected prior to the date, on which the Bill came into force. Captain Russell said that he believed that the member in charge of the Bill was an amiable philanthropist, bufc the Bill was only in the interest of lawyers. Mr Kelly moved to report progress, and the motion was carried by 29 to 26. The House rose at 12.25 a.m.