PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1893, 30 October 1913, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

A DAILY SUMMARY. Tho atmosphere of tho Honso of Representatives was drowsy yostorday afternoon. In tho evening there was a protracted and somewhat embittered discussion upon an amondniont to the Beer Duty Bill, moved' by Mr. Pearce, us an indication that tho duty on beer should bo increased. Finally, members spent an industrious hour and a half upon tho Municipal Corporations -Amendment Bill. , i. In tho afternoon the Government Railways Amendment Bill was introduced, and its leading features wore explained by W. H. Horries. It grants increasos in salaries to tho members of the First Division, and deals also with tho installation of automatic alarms at lovol-crosiiings, and with public inquiries into railway accidents. Tho Bill Vaa read a first timo. ' Most of the afternoon was spent in discussing Ministerial replies to questions, but few subjects of importance were raised. . , Just before the Houso adjourned at 6.30 p.m. the Public Trust Office Amendment Bill was read a third time, after a brief discussion. i In tho ovening tho Rating Amendment Bill, in charge of tho Hon. W. H. Herries, was introduced by Governor s Message. . _ . When tho Beer Duty Amendment Bill tamo up for consideration in Committee, Mr. G. V. Pearce moved to reduce the existing duty on beer as an indication that it should bo increased from threepence to sixpence per gallon. He explained clearly, as ho had done tho previous, evening, that ho took this course because a private member cannot under tho Standing Orders, move to increase taxation. A majority of tho members who spoke declared themselves jn favour of increasing tho duty on beer if tho Government brought down a rogular proposal. Tho Leader of tho Opposition was one of tho number. No Ministerial announcement was made, tno Hon. W. H. Herries contenting himself with the statement that'tho Government's policy would bo announced in <lun course." . . Finally, at 11.25 p.m., the amendSnent was negatived b,v 52 votes to J-j-* Consideration in Committee of tho Scienco and Art Bill was postponed. Before rising, the House dealt with the Municipal Coroorations Bill in Committee, ana passed 22 clauses. Tho Houso rose at 1.5 a.m. The Legislative Council sat until midnight, putting the Land_ Laws Amendment Bill through Committee. Tho Bui was steadily opposed by a small party of half a dozen or thereabouts, but although numbers of amendments were , proposed, not one single division was carried against the Minister in chaTge of the Bill. Thirty clauses- wero passed jn tho afternoon and . evening.