General Assembly.

Western Star, Issue 965, 18 July 1885, Page 2

General Assembly.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Tuesday, 14th July.

At the evening sitting the discussion on tho Local Bodies Finance and Powers Bill was continued. Mr Hurst would liavo been glad to have seen tlie local government proposals placed before members some time previous to the meeting of Parliament. Tho’present bill was intimately connected with other Government bills, and could not be discussed alone. The bill thould be withdrawn with a view to submitting a more acceptable measure.—Mr Cowan looked on,the bill as.» fulfilment of a promise made by tho Government, and it should bo the endeavor of every member to make tho measure acceptable to tho country. Two essential factors in a local government system were the requirements of a district and tho extent to which local bodies should put their shoulders to the wheel to help themselves. Ho did not look with favor on tho Roads and Bridges Construction Act, and thought the time had arrived when some other scheme of local government should be devised. Every district in tho colony should bo treated alike. He would oppose the measure at every stage. Mr Walker thought the proposals of tho Government re the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Bill deserved the consideration of the House. Tho most satisfactory principle of local government they had had was one in which a certain percentage of tho land fund was devoted to settlement. Ho considered the proposal to pay local bodies out of the consolidated revenue was only an act of justice.— Mr Pyko thought the bill had been so modified by the Government that there was but little harm in it now. He asked the Government to adopt tho resolution passed at the meeting of County Council delegates in Wellington, or take the bill back and appoint;-a Royal Commission to enquire and report on the best system of local government for the colony.—Mr Hursthouse considered that while the colony was pledged to English money-lenders for the construction of roads, outlying districts had a fair claim on some portion of the expenditure. One objection ho bad to the bill was the facilities it would give for the disintegration of bodie that already existed. His idea of county government was that counties should be made as large as practicable.—Mr Menteath was disappointed with the bill, which he argued was conceived upon circumstances which were not applicable to Ike circumstances of tho colony. —Mr Montgomery said he intended voting for tho bill as the most important feature had been taken out of it. The main principle was that it sought to repeal a most objectionable measure —The Roads and Bridges Construction Act.—After further discussion, Sir Julius Yogel replied, and said he regarded tho moaeuru’as a parly question. As to the- remarks that had been made about borrowing in future, he asked, was the colony to stand still? He considered that tho colony would have to borrow' in future if they wished to prosecute their Public Works policy, and, also to compote against the sister colonies. What they would have to watch was they did not endeavour to do, more than their means would admit. Ho combated the arguments that there was any desire to return to Provincialism.—The second reading of the bill was carried on the voices. The House rose at 1.15 u.m.

Wednesday, July 15.

The House met at 2.30 p.m

Replying to Colonel Trimble, the Hon. E. Richardson said full information regarding tho district railways proposed lo bo purchased by the Government would be" laid "on the table in a day or two. .... . V The-Employment of Females and Others Bill was recommitted, to consider a new clause, which was amended and carried as follows: No young person shall be employed more than 48 hours in any weak, or more than 8) hours in any day.—The bill, us ..amended, was reported. - :; • ...... , ,! . EVENING SITTING.

The Commitiee resumed at 7.30 p.m. Ao amendment moved, that a-Res!lent Magistrate or the Inspector in a district, may, in case of emergency, allow young persons to work overtime in factories.—On a division the amendment was carried by 55 to 25. —Mr Ross moved a further amendment that in such cases it should hot be compulsory on any young person to work dvertirue. —Amendment negatived on the voices—Some discussion ensued on Mr J. S. Mackenzie’s motion to strike out the words “without loss of wages referring to holidays, such as New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, and other, holidays set by the Governor.’’ —Negatived on the voices.—The bill was reported with amendments, read a third time, and .passed;!-! : - JOY L 3:. Mr Hatch moved the second reading of the sale of Poisons Bill; arid briefly explained its provisions, which wore to make further and better regulations for the sale of poisons.— Carried without discussion. , ii

On M-ijor Steward’s motion tliafcflio House go into committee on the School Committees Bill, Mr W. F. Buckli’nd moved that the hill bo read that 'clay six months.—The Premier opposed the bill a,a likely to destroy, the educational system.—Mr Turnbull strongly attacked the Premier, and said that no. sooner were aiiy amendments proposed on educational matters than they were told that they would destroy the system at present in force. He hoped that the bill would bo carried, so as to make the education system as perfect as possible.— On a division the motion for going into committee was carried by 36 to 15. The House then went into committee on the Armed Constabulary Bill, which provides for extending the franchise to the Armed Consfabu'ary.—Major Alkinson objected (o the bill, and moved that the Chairman leave the chair. —The Premier and Mr Ballance supported the bill, and did not think any barm could bo,done by placing the Act in the. Statute Book—Sir G. Grey could not see how con-’ stables would be influenced by having the franchise cxiended to them. He supported the bill. —Amendment lost on the voices.—Mr Guinness moved as an amendment that the bill shad refer to the civil branch of the force. —Amendment carried and bill reported with amendin'nt. The House went into committee on the Gaming and Lotteries Act (Hobbs.) The bill does away with sweeps and provides for penalties against persons exhibiting placards or advertising, betting houses, sweepstakes, or lotteries. Alter a short discussion the bill was passed through committee without amendment. -

Tho House went into committee on the School Committees Election Bill.—Mr Downio Stewart moved the addition, of three clauses, the principal one being that each child should attend s.diool thirty days in caeh quarterly berm. —Clauses agreed to. —The bill was reported with amouJmonts, as was also ♦ho Armed Constabulary, Act Amendment Bill.

Tho Graining and Lotteries Bill was read a third I'mo and passed. The debates on the second reading of the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Bill'was resumed by Mr Peacock, who said the present system with all its faults was hotter vlmn the proposals before the House. He would oppose its passage.—Dr Newman suggested several amendments, and thought provision should bo made for sending tho sick poor to the Hot Springs district, which in his opinion, would be a more economical manner of effecting cures. Ho thought that the moneys were nut distributed fairly, ami many undeserving eases wore treated.—Mr G. E. Richardson looked outlie bill with great favor. —Mr Guinness hoped the bill would bo allowed to go into committee. One principle object of tho bill was the providing of taxation to be paid by each inhabitant of tho colony.—Mr Brown thought tho Bill was drawn up bn good lines, as it made all contribute according to their circumstances.—Mr Hurst was-not in favor of the bill being intro I need at the present time, and thought it would be an entire failure. Its principle was to burden local bodies wi*h more than they could bear. —Mr Hatch hailed the bill with satisfaction. —Mr Pyke characterised tho Bill as something similar to a poor 'ax, and if it came into force at present it would be found a gvevious oppression. He agreed with the principle of the bill but not with lire contribution to ho levied.—Mv Stout

explained the nature of the bill, which would create for each district an Hospital and Charit"hlo Aid Board, and each separate institution ivuiild manage its own affairs. Ho did not say the bill should not ho amended. The Government would be glad to receive suggestion* f i-ooi both sides of the House, and when bill got into committee tho G vrrnmeut would b* able to say what concessions (hey would be prepared to make. Tho House rose at 12.30 a.m.

'Thursday, July 16th,

Replying to questions, it was stated thattha question of (mitering ocean steamers off tha Bluff womd bo inquired into.—The treasurers of counties who bad not supplied returns of 'heir bdance-sheets would be nsked.te,do so at once —Copies of the statutes passed 'during each session were already supplied in all large' centres, but. the Government did not think it desirable to incur the heavy expense entailed in sending them to every library in the colony. Mr Johnston introduced a bill to amend'the Financial Arrangements Act, 1876. „Tj The Armed Constabulary Act, 1867, Amendment Bill and School Committees Elections Bill were reported, read a third time,- and passed. Mr Levestam move! the 'second reading of the Employment of Females and Others Act, 1881, Amendment (No, 2) Bill, which provided that extra-hours be worked in cases of emergency, and for changing tho half-holiday 3 from Saturday to any other day.—Agreed.to. | Mr Downio Stewart moved the kebbnd 7 ' 1 reading of the Bible-reading in School* 0 ’ IRll-V — Mr Stout opposed- the . bill.-rpod moved that it bo read that dav si x-' hi oh tli *.33 —Messrs Macandrow, Turnbull, .-Fulton',; and Bruce spoko strongly in favor of the bill; and Messrs Montgomery, Thomson .-(Auckland) and Levestam opposed it.—Mr Hatch would vote aginst tho bill, as he had last session.— Sir G. Grey admitted that therfc \vaa ari o?- , ganised effort throughout the world topufcan end to Christianity. He,, quoted from | newff-.r paper published in Dunedin which said Deity did not exist or the universe could not have been so badly made. He contended that the Bible was the foundation, on which, lha British ration rested. He maintained ‘tim? the doctrine which the Bible taught was that a man did not exist alone, buk that theird wA a silent voice always leading, was right. He'was not.in favor of’BiWe. reading in schools, and %'6uia’ ! ¥ote ii aga'iffft ,: 'l the bill. . He hoped members would not give, .j a silent vote on tho question.— Mr Hakuene expressed himself as filled with shaifie aFth’e argument he had heard against the Bible, -andox if the present measure were,, repealed, ho-, hoped a bill would bo brought in dealing with :w the subject in connection with native schobrsT'" —Major Stewart said the effect of the bill would be to add to tho present educational system rather than tend to destroy it. The Premier had treated the whole subject with an amount of levity unbecoming hia position. He thought the House should adopt the bill, which was not compulsory, buVmarelyfbptional. Colonel Trimblo had to Bible-reading in schools provided teacher* were allowed absolute liberty to explain the passages they taught., oppose tne second reading.—Messrs Buckland, Pratt, and Smith opposed the bill.— The motion for the second reading whs then put and lost on a division by 18 to 50. Mr Fergus resumed the debate, ,<m;« jbhp/7 Hospitals and Charitable Aid Bill, and gave the Government credit for their endeavors to grapple with this important Subject. Ha thought tho present system might be continued for a year 'longer, iso that a more acceptable measure could be brought down • next session; unless he had it from the Treasurer that larger subsidies would be granted, ho would be compelled to vote against the second reading.—Mr Cowan thought the bill d creditable attempt of the Government lb' fulfil promises. IHo. did: with the whole qf the proyjsiqns,was a tendency to introduce a decentralising of tho Government of the colony tho contribution under the Act should be £ for £. —Sir J. Vogel said a good, many, sug- : gestions had been made on tho bill, which the Government had taken fipto consideration to see how far they' coulcl meet'Tfce' members generally. .The Government believed that nearly all the institutions which it was desirable should survive would be incorporated. regards district boards in charge of institutions the Government would fpr two years give £ for £ subsidy for all voluntary contributions exclusive of bequests. They were also willing to copsicier tjiab payments by local bodies up' to £SOO should 'Be looked on os voluntary , contributions, r (m4 ■, entitled to £ for £. ' To district' boards 'lsa in the £ would-,be- given. As regards separate institutions the Government proposed to give rest (?) two years, but to continue the £ for £ subsidy, exclusive l bf bequestsI.'''Beferring l .'''Beferring to tho proposals that the Act should be in force for ten years only,.he thought tho Government wouldibe unable,Ho-n’etfoptU tbe responsibility of the position for,so short a period. With regard to bequests, the Govornmont did not intend’them as', maintenance, but wished them to bb'dealt ’w'ith in accordance with the spirit of those who gave tho. money. The Government would pot* object to the power of appointing Govern™ ment nominees being oxoludo'd'-frbm the bill. Referring to several other objections, he said the alterations proposed would obviate the , necessity of raiding any money by special rates.—After further discussion, the secontO reading was carried on the voicesf and House rose at midnlghtiunH