HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1718, 24 November 1887, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, Notbm*bb 23.

The Home met at 2 30 p.m. QUEYTIO.NS. Replying to questions It was stated that Gowrnme.it mould, whenever possible, endeavor to prevent country schools being closed owing to the raising of the sobool age ; that the question of making duties on Native lande payable yearly instead of (q a lump sum was under consideration ; that enquiry would be made as to whether the exiatanca of cancerous cattle was dangerous to health ; that it was intended to deal with the abolition of Watte Lands Boards m the Land Aofc, but not with the abolition of School Commissioners ; : that the ÜB9 of firewood on tbe railways would be as expensive aa coal and that only New Zetland coal wan ever used on the railways ; that Govern- 1 ment would endeavor during the seeoiou to introduce a Bill dealing with the olaimß of old fcoldioris, Bailors, and nav»l and military settlers ; that the concessions already made for tbe conveyance of wool to port m Southland were as far as government could go (Mr Ward moved the adjournment of the Bouse to ventilate this mutter. A lengthy discussion followed and the motion was wlthdrawi)) ; that » Bill won!d be prepared for reducing coroners' foes, but coroners' inquests could not be abolished ; that stops would shortly be taken to close country post offices between 7 and 8 p.m. m caeee where it was found that no iv con von it nee would arise ; that delayed telegrams could not | be sent as collect messages as it would result m loss to the departra nt ; that the Polioe bad no power to interfere m glove fights, but it had been ascertained that their interference was not necessary m those fighte ; that the experiment of advertUing la railway pasßenger cars had been tried, but wan not successful ; that a Bill would be introduoed next Bbesion to remove th,o legal restriction whloh now exists by which the Public Trustee ie prevented from dealing with intestate estates until twelve months from the time of uea h ; that there was no intention of abolishing ednoation boards or achocl committees. THB iqULAKD KAILWAY. Mr Rußoel brought up tbe report of tbe QQlgmUtee cm th Q Alidad, Railway.

The Premier moved that the subj >ct be considered next day, m whioh cose ha should give up Friday for private members' business. The motion was agreed to. LENGTH (F SPEECHES Mr Samuel moved that it ba an instruoMon to the Printing and Reporting of Dabatea Committees to cause the "Hansard" reporters to cease reporting any member after he ha« spokeu for one hoar, excepting only wben any such member i- moving the seoond re&dias* of a Bill or when Mr Speaker shall otherwise direot. He said that the speeches m the Houae were sometimes oj great length, and resulted m heavy expense to the country. Some members thought the limit of an hour too lon«. Mr Ward seconded the motion, and said that aty member who oonld not confine his remarks to an hour should not be there. Mr Peaoook Bupportod the principle of the motion/ but was not sure this was the beet moans of accomplishing the objeot m view. Major Steward understood that the Standing Oorders Committee did not bhb their way to deal with this matter until tha Hocse had expressed an opinion on it Mr Allen strongly supported the motion Mr Ballanos, M> Downle Stewart, Mr Barron, and Mr Fish, opposed the motion. Sir George Grey said that this was & serious question, and was nothing more nor leas, thin interfering with the liberty of debate. He waa spaaktbg ot the 533 p.m. adjournment. 'Ihe House resumed at 7.30 p.m. THB MIDLAND EAILWAT.

On the Auctioneers Bill being moved into Committee, Sir George Grey moved the adjonrnmeat of the House to enable him to pr teat agamst the Midland Railw»y report being disoaaved till the return he had a*ked fur, relative to the. land available for selection by the oompany, bid been furnished. iir Bsmael and Mr Pyke depreoated farther de.ay. The Premisr s»ld he would be happy to consent, ba 1 for the lateness of the session. All the information wanted would be available before the necessary Aot was finally passed Mr Allen thought it was false poHoy to hurry on cousid -ration of the matter. Mr Beeves (St Albaut) said that Sir George Grey did not want the railway, and all his efforts were directed to postponing the work indefinitely; Sir George Grey said that, on the contrary, he was a friend of the railway, and the first man who had got a vote of money for it. The motion for the adjournment was lost. AUCTIONEERS BILL The House went into Committee on the Auctioneers Bill, Considerable discussion took plaoe on clauses 4, 5, and 6, oontpelHng an auctioneer to apply for a certificate. Mr Seddon explained that ihey aimed at the suppression of the By at em of Dutch auctions now carried on by mon of no standing Sir Julius Yogel said they might as well propose to subject auctioneers to an examination as to thelt abilities for the calling, and make it a close field like the legal profession. Mr Samuel vigouroualy supported the clause. -

Mr Reeves (St. Albans) pointed out that auctioneers held a position of trust, and should rightly be aubjeoted to examination as to character. Mr Fiah moved that the chairman leave the chair. A yea 40, noea 37. The Bill was subsequently thrown out. CEMETERIES ACT. Mr Moss moved the aeoond reading of the Cemeteries Act 1882 Amendment BIU.Mr Guinness supported the Bill with the intention of moving an amendment allowing cemetery reserves to be leased on short terms. Mr R. Thompson (Maraden) aod Mr Samuel opposed the meaiare. The latter pointed out th«t It gave private Individuals power to other cemeteries. Mr McKeczle (Olutha) moved the adjournment of the debate, as the Bill had not been circulated long enough to enable members to read it. Ayea 22. noes 62. j Mr Ooldie said the meaning of the Bill was that some people at Auckland had bought land which they could not turn to its intended uae and now wanted to •ell it for a cemetery. Be protested against the measure unless it was sur* rounded tvith various safeguards Mr Seddon op; oued the aeoond rending, bat the motion was eventually paused by 38 to 23 DEBATE ON" THB 00 AL DOIT. The d b.te ou the qa a .uti that m the opinion of th'a Kou<e »■• import duty of not less than 2 . 6 i per ton be impt Bed on ooal waa resumed by Mr Fish, wbo moved the further adjournment of the dieouaaioo Ayes 46, noes 28 On the motion to adjourn it for a month instead of a fortnight, Mr Thompson protested on the grounds that the ooal industry was m a languishing condition m consequence of .New Sen h Wales flooding tii© country with the product of hor mines, and chis was the proper time for those m favor of encouraglag local industries to give an expression of opinion. Mr Monk said the ooal freights had been exceedingly useful m keeping the shipping trade going, and saoh an impost would have an effect on our exports. Considerable dteounaion ensued, whion was kept up to half-part twelve, when an adjournment for a fortnight was carried on a division by 38 to 36, and the House roie.