PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3183, 6 September 1917, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

THE FINANCE BILL THROUGH COMMITTEE AMENDMENT TO TEA TAX PROPOSED REJECTED BY 37 TO 21 MORE AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL The Legislative Council met at 2,30 p.m. yesterday. JURIES AMENDMENT. Tho Hon. 0. SAMUEL gave notico of his intention to ask the Leader of the Council (Sir Francis Bell) certain questions relating to the Juries Amendment Bill and the operation of tlio jury system. He wished to know if Sir Francis Bell had been correctly reported as eayiug that Ministers supported the Juries Act Amendment Bill as wended, altliough it was not likciy that the Bill would be proceeded with this session; or if it was not a fact that tho Government had never considered the question at all, and had not formed a decided opinion upon it. Mr. Samuel drew attention to some remarks made by a Judge in Auckland regarding the disagreement of a jury, and asked if the indication given of tbe Judge's belief in the guilt of tho accused person was not likely to prejudice accused at any future trial. He mentioned, also, a statement made by the Chief Justice at Napier, after the failure of a jury to agree, that the requirement of unanimity was "a farce," and asked if the Government did not consider that such a comment upon tho law of the land was not likely to impair public confidence in the administration of justice.

RIVER BOARDS. The Eiver Boarcis Amendment Bill was received from the House of Representatives, read a first time, read a second time pro forma, ami referred to the Statute Revision Committee REVOCATION OF NATURALISATION, Tho Itevoca-tion of Naturalisation Bill was received from the House of .Representatives, read a first lime, and set down for second reading on next sitting day. The Council adjourned at 2.40 p.m. until to-day.