GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 772, 5 October 1900, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. YESTERDAY. , I THK Council met at 2.30 p.m. IMPRISONMENT FOE DEBT. Messrs Bowen, Rigg and Pitt were appointed to confer with the Ministers of the House of Representatives with regard to the amendments made by th« Council in the Imprisonment for Debt Limitation Bill. SECOND READINGS. Tho following Bills have passed their second readings : Land and Income Assessment, New Zealand Cousols Act Amendment, Midland Authorised Land Settlement, Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment, Fisheries Encouragement Act Amendment, Rotorua Town Council, and West Coast Settlement Reserves Amendment Act. OLD AGE PENSIONS. In committee on the Old Age Pensions, Mr McLean said if it was proposed to make amendments on the Order Paper, which were merely consequential, he presumed they were all free to move amendments. The Hon. W. C. Walker said in that case he would not proceed with the amendments on the Order Paper, and the Bill passed through Committee without alteration. The Bill was subsequently read a third time aud passed. DISCOUNT STAMPS BILL. The Trading Stamps Abolition and Discount Stamps Issue Bill was committed. The Hon. G. McLean objected to the Trading Stamp Company being wound up without notice, and also considered the Government should not compete by issuing discount stamps. He would much prefer to see the trade regulated than put out of existence. Clause 4, was amended to provide for the Trading Stamp Company payinp at the rate of fourteen shillings in the pound for any stamps that have been issued whether by the company or the trader before the passing of the Act. The Hon. W. C. Walker stated it was not intended to go on with clauses providing for the Government issuing dis> count stamps. Several members objected to the clauses being drooped without notice. The Hon. J. Rigg moved to report progress and asked leave to sit again with the object of retaining clauses. The Bill was ultimately reported with amendments, and the Council rose at 8.30 a.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. YESTERDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. OPIUM PROHIBITION BILL. The Opium Prohibition Bill was introduced and read a first time. SECOND READINGS. The Hon. J. Carroll moved pro forma the second readings of the Maori Lands Administration Bill and Native Lands Control and Administration Bill. Capt. Rusßell protested against the course being adopted, as the Bills had not been circulated. On division Mr Carroll's motion was carried by 32 to 24. PACIFIC CABLE BILL. Mr Ward moved the second reading of the Pacific Cable Bill, which he explained provided that in the event of a compromise being arranged with other colonies for the construction of the Pacific Cable, New Zealand should pay one-ninth of the total costs instead of being restricted to an exact amount. Mr McNab congratulated Mr Ward upon the fact that the scheme, which practicaliy had originated with him, had now been brought so near accomplishment. Mr Herries and Capt. Russell thought the amount should be stated beyond which New Zealand should net go. Mr Ward, in replying, said the tenders were not expected to exceed £1,886,000. In view of the large increase that had taken place in the cost of cable material, it would not be advisable to limit the amount this colony should pay. He would assure the House there was no intention to take advantage of it beyond the definite nature of a guarantee ; but the Government desired that notices on the colony's part should prevent the cable being gone on with. He considered that when the cable was laid it would be in the best interests of the commercial people of the colony, and he greatly appreciated the kindly remarks of the member for Mataura. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. In Committee on the Pacific Bill, Capt. Russell moved an amendment in clause 2, with a view of limiting the liability of the colony in respect of the cable to the fixed sum of £300,000. Mr Ward said he had no objection to the limit being fixed, bnt suggested that the maximum cost of the cable should bo set down at two and a half millions, which would leave a good margin. The amendment was rejected, by 40 to 14, and the Bill reported without amendment. PUBLIC WORKS ACT AMENDMENT. The Hon. Hall-Jones moved the second reading of tho Public Works Act Amendment Bill, the provisions of which he shortly explained. He added that he was prepared to accept reasonable amendments. In Committee after a short debate in which only committee objections were raised to the Bill, the second reading was agreed to on the voices. ■ HOSPITAL BOARDS BILL. The Hon. Hall - Jones moved the second reading of the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Boards Bill, which be stated was only a short measure devised to remove some anomalies in the existing law in regard to representation. Agreed to. In committee ou the Hospital aud Charitable Aid Boards Bill on the motion of Mr Guinness an amendment was inserted affecting the representation of the Grey district. The Bill was then reported. SALE OK POISONS. Mr Ward moved the second reading or" the Sale of Poisons Act Amendment. Bill to prevent people obtaining from chemists a class of poison not stipulated in the present law. Agreed to. In Committee on the sale of Poisons Act Amendment Bill, a new clause was added, on the motion of Mr Ward to the effect that nothing in the Bill should apply to sheep dip or any compound used for the destruction of iußcut peste affecting crops or plants. The Bill was reported without further amendments. ELECTORAL ACT AMENDMENT. The Electoral Act Amendment Bill was committed. On Clause 2, which provides that no registrar shall act as returning officer, Mr Ward said in reply to representations that he would, wherever possible, appoint postmasters as registrars. Objection was raised to the police force being employed to assist in enrolling voters, and Mr Ward agreed to omit the words and substitute postmasters, registrars under the Old Age Pension Act and registrars. DEBTORS BILL. The Debtors Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time and passed. BILLS PASSED. The Pacific Jable, Hospitals and Charitable Aid and Sale of Poisons Bills were read a third time and passed. The House rose at 4.10 a.m.