HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12122, 3 August 1895, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES.

Wellington, Augnat2. The Bouse met at 2 30. QUESTIONS In reply to questions, it waa stated I that it -would depend on the progress of business whether the House would aajourn for a few days to enable members Ito be present at the opening of the Chtistohurch Industrial Exhibition. That the Government had decided to appoint an officer to examiae the condition of New Zealand produce and meat on its arrival in London. That the Government could not undertake to make provision foe legal half-holiday to domestic servants in the Bill which whs to be brought down to amend tha Shops and Shop Assistants Act, aa it might possibly jeopardise the measure in the Upper House; it was the intention of the Government to make the - amending Bill as little complicated as possible. That no money was available foi tfie extension of the WelUugton-Te Aro railway line to Newtown. That .seeds of the fodder plant "sacaline," which is valuable in reasons of drought, were being obtained by the Agriculture Department from Eastern Asia. That the Government caw no reason to make the Commissioner of Life Insurance and Public Trustee and Parliamentary officers removable only by resolution of both - Houses. Tint the Government would favoutably consider a proposal to call the Houso together two months earlier than at present, 'i bat the Shops and Shop . Assistants Bill would be circnlaled in a few days. That tha losb to the revenue would be so gmt that the Government could not permit newspapers published in the colony to be sent abroad free of postage That it was not a fact that the . Lending Board under the Advances to Settlers Act refused in every oase to lend on unimproved land; and that every application was considered on its merits. That it waa contrary to the spirit of the , Education Act to levy special fees for pens, i'lfc and other school requisites. That the Fair Bent Bill would be oir-, cuiatednext week. Discussions consequent upon a motion for the adjournment of the House lasted until the 5 SO adjournment. Ihe House resumed at 7,30. ANIMALB JPBOTECTION BILL. The Animals Protection Act Amendment Bill was committed. Clause 7 was altered to provide that' the penalty for the introduction of reptiles, &s , shall not exceed £60. The Bill was then reported, read a third time and passed. COVHOIh ABTENDMKKT3. - . The amendments made by the Legis. • lativf) Council in the Adoption of Chll. dren Bill were agreed to. ALCOHOLIC LIQTJOBS BALE BILL. Mr Seddon moved (he second reading of Ihe Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act Amendment Bill, tie was pleased in 1 lacing the views of the Government hafore the House so soon after the second rending ofMrMcNab's Bill. There wag a great necessity for dealing with this vexed question during the present sessiorjj and they should approach tha matte; with an earnest desire to deal with it so that it thould not be disturbing the ele* ■gent of the session after the Besaion. The world was made up of compromise*, ana ihoy should legislate so that their legislation would meet with the approval of the gteat majority of the people of the ooloiiy. The present ifi'l provided for four issues, samel;, whether tho number of licenses in the district is to continue, whether they are to be reduced, whether there are to be licenses or no licences. It might be said that this would complicate the question, but this would be a refleetioa on the men and women of the colony. The Bill con> tamed a proposal for colonial prohibition, and he said there might bo many who would vote for a reduolion but would go against local or national prohibition. He, therefore, thought it fair to give eren an ' elnctor four issues to vote upon. It might be obj acted that whilst the Bill provided for a bare majority in ca3e of reduction, ih allowed a substantial threefifths majority for local or national prohibition. But he hold that if a great reform like prohibition were to be effective it must be carried by more than a bare : majority. He firmly believed that if the colony were polled to-morrow it would be in favout of a substantial majority for local or colonial option. They were told over and over again by Prohibitionists that they wanted a straight issue on local or national prohibition, and that was provided for in the Bill. A good deal hid been said about the police not doing their duty- in enforcing the licensing laws, but in every case where it was proved that a constable had not done their dnty he had discharged them. He intended to itsue a circular to the police inspectors stating that if a police constable was found in a hotel while on , duty it should mean discharge from the service unless he could prove that he was on the premises en businesß.