HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11870, 26 August 1893, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, August 26. I The House met at 2.30 pm. GAMDLINfI IN CLTJD3. Replying to Mr Earnshaw, the Hon. Mr Seddon said ho had no information that gambling to a, large oxtent was carried on in the newly established clubs in 'Wellington. Mr Fisher moved the adjournment of the House to protest against a question of this kind being placad on the Crder Paptr, and a debate followed in which several members resented the slur which was cast on all the clubs in the colony by this question. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS, Boplying to other questions it was stated that the Government did not think they would be warranted in going to the expense of appointing a Eoyal Commission to inquire into the financial condition of the Friendly Societies, but as they had a large amount of information on the subject an inquiry would be made into their position. Thatit was the intention of the Government to increase the detective staff in the colony. OUTLINE OF BUSINESS. The Hon. Mr Seddon announced that he hoped to set apart Monday evening next for Labour legislation, and he proposed to take the taxation proposals on Tuesday. The Government would then be in a position to state what amount of revenue they would receive from these proposals. Ihe Bills relating to tho Justice Department, Government Eailwaya Act Amendment Bill, and Mining Bill would probably occupy the House till the end of the week, an 4 he hoped the following week to bring down the Public Works Statement and after that he would be able to say what Bills the Government ■oropoßod to go on with this Session. He might be in a position at the end of next week to mention the likely date of the prorogation. The House ioso at S 80 p m. The House resumed at 7.30. ALCOHOLIC LIQUOBS SALE CONTROL BILL. The Alcoholic Liquors Salo Control Bill was further considered in Com. mitteo. Clause 17 was amonded so as to allow local authorities to supplement the loss of revenue from license fees by increase of general rates, notwithstanding that the maximum amount of [general rates may thereby be exceeded. Clause 18— If licensed premises be closed by the electors the licensee shall be acquitted of his lease, be struck out with the object of substituting a new clause. Clause 19— Providing that all clubs shall be subject to all the provisions of the Licensing Acts, elicited long discussion. Mr Fisher moved that this clause be struck out. MrEarnshaw opposed the amendment, pointing out that if public houses were closed drinks would be obtained at clubs, and therefore they should be under supervision. Mr Fish opposed the clause as a further interference with the liberty of the subject. The Premier defended the clause, and said the Government laid great stresß on it. They considered that clubmen themselves would not object to the clause. Captain Russell opposed the clause, pointing out that club 3 were frequented by men principally of mature years, who did not indulge in "skylarking" and who did not assemale in clubs for the purpose of drinking. Mr Bruce asked the Premier whether there wan any reason for the clause. The Hod, Mr Soddon said that, from information at the disposal of the Government which he did not feel justified in alluding to further, the Government woie fully warranted in inserting this chuso in the Bill. Mr Fisher would like to know what information the Government had received about these clubs. Sir J. Hall would support the clause, for if clubß were exempted altogether the door would be opened to the wholesale evasion of the Act. He thought, however, that the regulations should ba modified so that they would not be vexatious. After some considerable discussion, Mr Fisher withdrew his amendment to strike out the clause Mr Buckland moved an amendment to the effect that Parliamentary Bellamy's should be included in the provisions of this clause. The amendment was carried by 30 to 29. The Honi Mr Seddou regretted that there were 30 members in the House who thought it necessary to call in the police at Bellamy's. Mr McLean moved in the sub-section providing that no new charter shall be issued to any club oxcopt upon the recommation of tho Licensing Committee of tho district, that it must also ba upon the application of not leas than 60 persons. —Agreed to by 20 to 27. The Hon. Mr Seddon moved an amendment to the effect that if a poll be carried against the granting of any license charter it shall be withdrawn by the Colonial Secretary from any club in the district on the recommendation of the Licensing Committee. Divisioulist — Mrßuckland's amendment to include Bellamy's. Aye 3 (30) : Buchanan, Bucbland, Buick, Carncro'ss, Fish, Fisher, Hall-Jones, W. Hutchisoni W. Kelly. Lake, Lawry, M. J. S. Mackenzie, T. Mackenzie, J. McKenaie, J. McLean, Mills, J. Mooro, Newman, Reeves, Rhodes, Sandford, Saundors, W. C. Swan, Taipua, Taylor, X, Thompson, G. Thompson, Valentine, and Wilson. Noss (29) : Allen, Black, Bruce, Cadman, Carroll, Duncan, Duthie, Fergus, Fraser, Hall, Hogg, Honston, Kapi, J. Kelly, McGowan, O. H. Mills, Moore, Parata, Pinkecton, Richardon, Rolleston, Russell, Seddon, Shera, E. M. Smith, Tanner. Ward, Willis, and Wright.