ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXV, Issue 4253, 29 June 1895, Page 3

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

(From our Excliao^ps.) An amended Shop Hours Bill is to be introduced. The measure will probably seek to make one fixed day for the colony. In the opinion of the leader of the Opposition the depression has never been more acute in the great pastoral industry than at the present time. The expenditure in administration of the Advances to Settlers Act from December 1894 to 31st March 1895 was £1408, of which £7GI was for salaries, £99 for travelling expenses, £266 for printing and stationery, £68 for advertising, and £212 for valuation fees. Against this £1951 was received for valuation fees. During this period £50 was invested on mortgage. The Government propose to amend the law of evidence in the direction of providing for the examination of prisoners undergoing sentence as witnesses. In proceedings relating to the customs, sale of "liquors, or distillation, the court may require any prisoner to be examined, and it shall be no excuse for such prisoner to urge that he may incriminate himself, but on making a faithful discovery of the matters as to which he is examined he shall be freed from all penalties. Confessions to ministers of religion and medical men in their professional character are privileged. The Criminal Code Amendment Bill which the Premier has introduced raises the age of consent to sixteen. The Uniforms Act makes it unlawful for military uniforms to be worn without authority, and a penalty is provided for any unauthorised person wearing uniform so as to bring contempt on it. There is only ono operative clause in the Wages Attachment Bill. It prohibits an order being made by a court attaching the wages of any workman. Mr Larnach is urging the adoption of the American system of selling railway tickets as freely as postage stamps, and in the same manner. A return to single electorates in the four centres is provided by the Representation Promotion Bill which the Premier is introducing, and the necessity for a readjustment of the boundaries immediately after the next session is dispensed with. Clutha Mackenzie is drawing attention to the existing monopoly of lime for agriculture in the South Island, and Mr Carncross wants the Government to take steps towards assisting farmers to procure lime for manuriug purposes at cheaper prices than at present. Among the many applications for concessions with which the Minister for Railways is besieged comes one from Mr T. Mackenzie, who asks that the brighter pupils of the country schools who have passed the Sixth Standard shall be conveyed free of charge to the nearest high school. The Hon. Mr Shepherd, of Nelson, is too physically infirm to take his place in the Council this session, and having been furnished with a medical certificate to that effect he will be entitled to draw the full honorarium without giving a moment's consideration to the public business.