House of Representatives.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11999, 17 October 1906, Page 3

House of Representatives.

The House met at 2.30. A QutiSllON OF JURISDICTION. Mr. -.Laurenson asked the Minister, without notice, if his' attention had beeu drawn to a recent decision of the Supreme Court, by which a division is drawn between awards of the Arbitration Court affecting ships registered within New Zealand and awards affecting ships not so registered. The Minister of Labour said he had noticed the matter, and was considering it with a view to meeting the necessities of the situation. PROGRESS OF BILLS. The Customs Duties Adjustment Bill, for enabling refunds to be made under the abortive reciprocity treaty, was read a first time. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill was read a lirst time. The Executive Council Bill, for enabling two members of the Maori race and two Europeans to be added to the Executive, without salary, vas re:>d a first time. The Defence Act Amendment Bill, providing lor the appointment of a Council of Defence, «"i iu->}<.v tor-General, and other officers, aiiJ defining their dutieb, was read a first time. The Unclassified Societies Registry tiou Act Amendment Bill was read a third time. The Fisheries Conservation Acts Amendment Bill was read a third time, as was also the Agricultural Manufacture Iml^ortations and Sale Act Extension Bill. OFFENSIVE PUBLICATIONS BILL. A long discussion eusued on the question of issuing search warrants, the 5.30 adjournment interrupting it. On resuming at 7.30 the discussion was continued. The Hon. the Minister cited the analogy of the liquor law and other Acts both in this country aad Vustralia. It was jio use denying the fact that there were a large number of publications in every town, and there was not sufficient power to cope with them, especially as the prosecutions have driven the traffic into secret channels. The Bill was read a second time on the voices". police; offences amendment A>,D OI'IILK BILLS. The Minister of Justice, in moving the second reading, explained that it was a Bill to prevent Sunday trading. It wa.l read on the voices. The 'i'liarnes Deep Levels Enabling Bill was read a second time. FIREARMS BILL. In moving the second reading, tho'Hoa. the Minister for Justice explained that it was a Bill to suppress the pea rifle nuisance. The Bill was read a second time on the voices. High Schools Reserve Amendment Bill was read a second time on the voices. The Hon. the Minister for Education. in moving the second reading, explained that tho Bill makeo provision for the payment out of Con-jolidated revenue of the accounts due under the scholarships to the Victoria College Council. The Bill was read a second time. WAIMATE AGRICULTURAL RESERVE BILL. The Speaker could not allow this Bill to proceed, as it had not complied with the Standing Order requiring Bills dealing "with land to go before the Lands Committee. The Bill was discharged and referred to the Lands Committee. THE COAL MINES BILL. . A long discussion took place on the "bank to bank" clause of the Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill (in Committee). Progress on the Bill was reported, and the House rose at 12.17 a.m. THE PRESS AND PARLIAMENT. WELLINGTON, October 17. In the House, Sir William Steward gave notice to move that any Press representative in the Press Gallery who offends against the privileges and Standing Orders of the House may be excluded during the pleasure of the House.