PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 659, 10 June 1882, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVESFa in ay, June 8. The House met at 2.30. PETIfION. Mr Macandrew presented a petition from the deferred payment settlers in Otago, praying for the redress of certain grievances and relief. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were introduced and tead a first time :—Tenants’ Fixtures (Mr Mosa) ; Supreme Court, Court of Appeal. Law Amendment, Criminal Law, Local Court (the Hon. Mr Dick) ; Bill to Establish a Harbor Board for the Port of Picton (Mr Connolly). WEST COAST PEACE PRESERVATION BILL. The West Coast Peace Preservation Bill was reported. Upon the motion for the third reading, Mr Macandrew entered his protest against the measure, describing it as one of the greatest blots that ever appeared on the Statute Book. After a lengthy discussion the House divided.—Ayes, 56 ; Noes, 21. The House went into committee, and the Bill parsed through without amendment. It was reported, read a third time, and passed. lAW PRACTITIONERS ACT. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners Bill. The motion was put and carried on the Voices, after a lengthy debate. AFFIRMATION IN LIEU OP OATHS BILL. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Affirmation in Lieu of Oaths Bill. The motion was put and carried. fcONSTIXDTION. AMENDMENT BILL. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Constitution Amendment Bill. He explained that the object was to relieve the mother country of considerable obligation to the colony in the granting of a Constitution. Mr Seddon moved as an amendment that it bo adjourned till Thursday, 22nd inst. Mr Montgomery seconded the amendment. The amendment was carried on the voices.

NATIVE LANDS COURT ACT. Mr McDonald moved the second reading of the Native Land Court Act Amendment Bill. The Hon. Mr Bryce said the Government proposed to bring down a similar measure, and he would not object to the second reading, provided it was not pushed farther ■ until the Government measure came down. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered for committal on Wednesday fortnight. THE LOAN. Mr Barron gave notice that he would on Wednesday, the 21st June, move—“ That in the opinion of this House any proposal for' the increase of the public debt of the colony by further borrowing should be submitted to the electors and receive the approval of three-fifths of their number before being finally sanctioned by the Legislature. ” GAMING AND LOTTERIES BILL.

- - Mr McDonald moved the second reading of the Gaming and Lotteries Act Repeal Bill. Mr Bracken designated the Bill as nn . absurd piece of legislation. It encouraged gambling in its most aggravated foim. Respectable persons had been fined for indulging in harmless sweeps, while the gambling machine was legalised, which, in the case of tho Dunedin Jockey Club, realised as its percentage to tho club no less than.L2.ooo. The Hon. Mr Dick said that only one clause of the Bill—the clause referring to sweeptahes—had been attacked. There , were other enactments in reference to gaming houses which no one could desire to see repealed. In that case he would ask them to vote against the repeal of the ... Bill,.and when the Bill for amendment ■ came up to consider what amendments were required, but he objected to the total repeal of the Act, many of the clauses of ■ ' which were highly important. Mr Smith said that as it stood it did . not affect betting at races. Any amendment should provide that. Again, large sweeps went on, the only difference being that, whereas formerly they were signed with the name of someone, cow they were published without any name appended to the advertisement. It was trifling and unimportant sweeps and sweepholders who were punished. Again, tho totaliaator cost 20s, and 2s in tho £ was taken away. Previously many of these parties contented themselves with a2s fid stake, add there was nothing deducted. Mr Levestam supported the repeal of the Act, advising the Government to bring in a new Bill embodying the provisions of the Act that were not objectionable.

Mr W. M. Green argued against the re- ' peal of the Act. He thought the Colonial Secretary was rather too pliable, and that a man of more firmness was needed to administer the Act in religious matters. He was too ready to grant concessions for lotteries, which were most reprehensible practices. These religious lotteries ought not to be tolerated. The case of the Dunedin Jockey Club had been referred to. The fact was that a member of that House and the Mayor of Dunedin had gone deliberately to the racecourse and broken the law by engaging in sweepstakes. Such men were not fit to have a seat in the House. After an animated debate the House divided—Ayes, 10 ; noes, 35. ■ The House rose at 12.30.