PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1011, 2 August 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, August 1. BILLS. The Hokitika High School Bill was read a second time. The Timaru Racecourse Reserve Bill was passed through Committee with amendments. FOREST PRESERVATION. The Hon Mr Chamberlin moved “ That in the opinion of this Council, having regard to the future welfare of the colony, it is desirable that the <Government should take immediate steps to largely increase the area of forest lands to be son apart as permanent reserves.” The Hon Mr Whitaker said the Government were fully aware of the importance of the subject, and the Minister of Lands had made, and would continue to make, reserves for forest conservation, and efforts would be made to prevent the destruction of the forests by fire. Beyond that he did not see what the Government could do. After a desultory discussion the debate was adjourned. The Council rose at 4 30 p. m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, August 1. The House met at 2 30. REPORTS. On the motion of Mr Larnach, the Select Committee’s report on the Taiaroa Land Bill was adopted, and on the motion of Mr Bathgate the report on the Guardian Trust and Executors Company’s Bill. mr dargaville’s charge. Mr Daugaville gave notice, of his intention to move on Wednesday next—- “ That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the circumstances connected with an alleged payment by the Bank of New Zealand of a sum of LlO 000 or thereabouts to Mr Whitaker and Mr Russell, or either of them in connection with the financial operations of the Government in or about the year 1807, such Committee to consist of Major Atkinson, Messrs Montgomery, WynnWilliams, Barron, Fulton, Macandrew, Turnbull and the mover, and to report within two weeks ” The Hou Major Atkin-on said this was very different to the accusation made last night. On Mr Dargaville proceeding to the table to deliver the notice an altercation sotto voce ensued between Mr Dargaville and Major Atkinson, which resulted in a complaint by the latter that he (Mr Dargaville) had made use of insulting language. On being called upon by the Speaker, Mr Dargaville replied that Major Atkinson had made use of similar language to him.

The Speaker ruled he could only lake notice of the latter complaint if it was brought formally under his notice, and on being asked if he meant doing so, Mr Dargaville replied that he did not think it worth while. The subject then dropped. VENTILATION OF THE CHAMBER. The following report on the ventilation of the Chamber was read :—“The Select Committee appointed to consider the best means to stop the draught and improve ventilation of the Chamber has devoted considerable attention to the matter, and has also taken the evidence of Mr Thomas Turnbull, architect, and Dr Gillon as experts. bj whom it is estimated a perfect system of heating and ventilation could be obtained at a cost not exceeding LSOO. As, however, no efficient remedy can be applied much before the session is likely to terminate, the Committee is r>f opinion that during the recess the special attention of Government should be directed towards effecting such improvements as will obviate the evil, provided the cost does not exceed the sum mentioned.” After debate the report was adopted and referred to the Government. QUESTIONS Replying to questions, Ministers said: . That assistance could only be given for the construction of the Coast road from Rakaia to Taumutu under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act.—That if any means for exterminating the rabbit nuisance by the introduction of a disease amongst the rabbits, or in any other way, could be suggested the Government would willingly listen to the proposal, as they quite recognised the enormity of the evil. They- would give a substantial reward for an effectual remedy. That the Inspectors of Weights and Measures in the centres of population wore provided with tests and standards, and it was not necessary to send to Wellington to have the accuracy of weights and measures tested.— That until the Commissioners had sent in their report the Government could not say whether or not it would consider it necessary to print and circulate amongst members the evidence taken in the Dunedin Gaol inquiry.—That the correspondence between the Government and the Canterbury members was ready, and he laid it on the table. —That the Government Life Assurance Department could not give policy holders the option of surrendering a current policy and of receiving in lieu thereof a paid-up policy equal to the total amount of premiums paid. Already more than this was given up to a certain age, and the Government was considering how to make the terms still more liberal.—That the dock at Port Chalmers was the property of the colony, whereas that at Lyttelton was the property of the Harbor Board, therefore the Government would not provide the latter as well as the former with a crane for lifting steam boilers.—That at present the Government had not sufficient information of the circumstances under which Warder Adams lost his life at Nelson, but if it appeared ho had done so in the execution of his duty the circumstances of his widow and family would bo favorably considered.

BILLS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time :—Otago Harbor Board Loan and Consolidation (Mr M. W. Green), Fire and Marine Insurance (Mt Dick).

BIBLE HEADING IN SCHOOLS. Mr M. W. Green moved that the Minister for Education be requested to obtain, through the various Education Boards of the colony, a return shewing the number of parents throughout the colony having children attending the District Normal and High Schools who are in favor of a portion of the Bible being read daily in such schools, and the number who are apposed to -uch Bible reading. That for this purpose the Education Boards issue through the various School Committees, Boards of Governors, etc., circulars in the form hereto appended, to be distributed to all parents or guardians having children attending the schools, such return, to be obtained no:, later than the 30th November, 188 t, and the same to be classified atid printed and distributed to members of both Houses of the Log’slature not later than the 30th April, 1881. His object was to determine once for all whether the people of the colony did or did not desire to have the Bible read in schools, so as to guide the House in deciding on the question. Mr Joyce objected to sending circulars which would be read by others. If any vote was taken it should be by ballot. He moved as an amendment—“ That the reading should be from the first chapter of Genesis right through the book, and that the vote be taken by ballot in each dist ict under the Regulation of E eccious Act.”

Mr Shephard and Mr Petrie opposed the motion. Mr Green, after the adverse expression of opinion, asked leave to withdraw the motion. Mr Fulton spoke in support of the motion. Mr Swanson, Mr Daniel, and Mr Whitaker opposed the motion, and leave to withdraw it having been refused it was negatived on the voices. ASYLUM ATTENDANTS. Mr O’Callaqhan moved —“That the wages paid to attendants at -lunatic asylums in the colony are insufficient, considering the onerous and trying duties they are called on to perform; that they are disproportionate to thorn paid to gaol warders and day laborers, and are therefore not calculated to secure an efficient body of well trained and skilled attendants.” Ho quoted figures in support of made the motion.

The Hon Mr Dick said the motion was not in accordance with the views expressed a few night ago, when members opposed any increase of wages. He could not say that a bad case had been made out. Interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7 30. ROADSIHOHUGH PRIVATE LANDS. Mr Ivess moved the second reading of the Roads through Private Lands Bill. The Hon Mr Rollesxon opposed : the Bill. It was badly drawn, and contained nothing but what was already provided for by law. Sir George Grey supported the Bill, contending that in Committee the objections complained of could be reotifie I. Mr Duncan, Mr Sutton and Mr Joyce also supported the Bill. The Bill was read a second time. DRAINAGE OF MINES BILL. Mr J. C. Brown moved the second reading of this Bill. It was a reprint of a Bill passed by the House last session, but rejected by the Council. The Hon Mr Rolleston and Mr Fergus opposed, and Mr De Lautouk. and Ml Sheehan supported the Bill. The Bill was read a second time. gaming and lotteries amendment bill Mr Shaw moved the second reading of this Mill. Despite the provision made to the contrary by the '.ct already in force, it was a well known fact that sweeps were still common events m this colony. What was proposed was to prevent newspapers and printers from advertising sweep-. The question of discouraging the system had been already discussed by the House, and decided in the affirmative. It was unnecessary then to discuss that view of the matter further. The other part of the Bill aimed at enabling persons attending race meetings to indulge in the more innocent pastime of a half-crown sweep or one up to 20s. In prohibiting that mode of amusement the Leg filature had licensed the totalisator, which in its operation was a much more pernicious system of gambling. A protracted debate ensued, and on a division the second reading was lost by 33 to 25. JURIES AMENDMENT. Mr Tole moved the second reading of the Juries Act, 1882, Amendment Bill. The Hon Mr Conolly said the proposal to do away with Grand Juries was a large one. He was not jet clear on the point, although he was inclined to miintain the system o as it stood. Whatever the result of the motion might be he would bo perfectly satisfied. Mr Fitz Gerald and Mr Holmes supported the Bill. Mr Turnbull agreed in the opinion that jurors in civil cases should not be a charge on the c mntry. Having seen the working of Grand Juribs he had no hesitation in saying they were something more than useless.

Mr Joyce concurred in the utter uselessness of the Grand Jury, and would therefore support the Bill. Mr Fish also supported the Bill. The Bill was read a second time. RAILWAY EMPLOYEES BILL.

Mr Seddon moved the second reading of Railway and other Employees Bill. After describing the provisions or the Bill, he explained that it had been circulated amongst those interested, and while not a single objection had been made, he had receivedmany commendations. He thought if the railway servants, who were now becoming a large power in the country, could be disfranchised, the same as the police, it might be advantageous. The Hon air Johnston said the measure did not appear to him advisable. His own idea was that instead of increasing the importance and permanency of their workshops they should be checked, and the work done there as much as possible distributed amongst private enterprise. He was not at all surprised that the employees themselves should approve of the Bill. It proposed that Parliament should vote L 5,000 as a fund for their purposes, and at the rale of LI,OOO a year afterwards. What he should live to know was, what there might be in the railway works or ballasting that these men should be specially provided for by the colony. If their pay was not high enough, then they should show that such was the case. He hoped they would reject the Bill. Mr Joyce regretted such a Bill as this was necessary. Mr Bracken, Mr Levbstam, and Mr White supported the Bill _ Bir George Grey sympathised with the objects of the Bill, but was doubtful if tho proposal could be carried out this session. In tho meantime ho hoped the second reading would be agreed to. Mr Holmes could not see how employees of the Government should be put on a better footing than other employees. He agreed in the proposal of a Board to inquire into serious complaints. Subject to amendments, he would support the Bill. Mr Feld wick and Mr Harris supported the Bill. The House divided —Ayes, 22 ; noes, 14. The Bill was read a second time. The House rose at 1.10 a. m.