HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3134, 14 July 1881, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. PETITIONS. Mr Stewart presented a petition from the Moderator of the Otago and Southland Synod in favor of Bible reading in schools. Mr Bunny presented a petition from th? j sufferers by the Wairarapa railway accident, praying for compensation. He hoped that all their claims would be referred to the committee aboufc to be appointed on the subject of railway management. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Hamlin gave notice to ask if tho Government will provide a salary for a competent agricultural and analytic chemist. Mr Pitt gave notice to move that building societies should only be taxed under the Property Assessment Act on their net profits. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence for one week was granted to Mr H. Hirst. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, ifc was stated that the Government had no power to prevent juvenile theatrical performances, and they knew of no reason why such a power should be soupht; the Government had under consideration the report of the committee on Mr Mansford's petition, recommending that they should insist upon civil servants insuring their lives for an amount equal to one year's pay ; the Government intended to make provision for resuming nominated immigration, subject to certain restrictions and conditions; all applications received for forms of claim to vote had been attended to, and ifc was a mistake to say that an application from the Grey Valley had been neglected ; maps showing the proposed new electorial districts were in course of preparation and would be ready shortly ; tho Government were preparing a plan to utilise postmasters for the issue of miners' rights. NEW BILLS. Tho following bills wero introduced and

read a first time :—Bill to amend tho law of evidence (Hutchison) ; Roxburgh Racecourse Reserves Bill (Bastings) ; bill for the cstablishmentnnd management of a grammar school at Onehunga (Hamlin). BAIT/WAY SrAH"AGEJIENT. Mr Oliver moved tbat a committee be appointed to enquire into the management and working of the New Zealand railways and to report their opinion on any changes which may appear desirable to introduce ; the committee to consist of Messrs Ormond, Kelly, Shephard, Saunders, Bunny, Richardson, Wright, Macandrew, and the mover. Mr Hall supported the motion, stating that the Government felt sure valuable information would be elicited which could not be got through the ordinary official channels. Mr Macandrew characterised the question as too comprehensive to be dealt with effectively in the short time that would be at the disposal of the committee. Mr J. T. Fisher supported the motion, suggesting that it be an instruction to the committee to inquire into and report as to the completion of the railway lines and railway works. Mr Richardson thought the committee would be useless if not dangerous. Mr Reader Wood agreed that the committee would be able to do no real good in the time which would be at its disposal. Mr Bastings argued that if the lines were to be made a success they would have to be placed under the control of a Board separated altogether from the Government, and he hoped action would be taken in that direction before the session closed.

The motion was withdrawn THE POLICE.

Mr Stewart moved that a committee be appointed to inquire into and report on the reductions and removals in the police force of the colony during tde last twelve months, with power to call for persons and papers, and to report within one month ; the committee to consist of Messrs Colbeck, Harris, Pitt, Hirst, Shrimski, and the mover.

Mr Rolleston opposed the motion, remarking that if the House interfered in these matters it would tend to disorganise the whole force. A sum of £50,000 had been saved by these reductions, and he thought the House might well leave the whole matter in the hands of the Government.

Mr Reeves, in supporting the motion, charged the Government with favoi'itism in making reductions, and promised that if afforded an opportunity he would make good his imputation. Mr Hall said that after the imputation made of favoritism were the House to agree to the motion it would be equivalent to a censure upon the Government. Mr Stewart said that what he complained of was that tho Government by their action had defeated the real purposes of retrenchment. The House divided —Ayes, 30 ; noes, 38. The following is the division list: — Ayes, 30. Noes, 38. Andrews Allwrighfc Ballance Atkinson Barron Bain Brown Beetham Bunny Brandon De Lautour Bryce Fisber, J. B. Collins Fisher, J. T. Dick George Eos Gisborne Fulton Grey Gibbs Hamlin Hall Harris Hursthouse Hutchinson Johnston Jones Kelly Levestarn Kenny Macandrew Levin Montgomery McLean Moss Murray Pyke Oliver Reid Orrnond Shephard Pitt Shrimski Richardson Speight Rolleston Stewart Russell Taiaroa Saunders Thompson Seymour Tole Stevens Turn bull Studholme Wallis Sutton Swanson Te Wheoro Trimble Wakefield Whitaker Whyte Wood Wright GOVERNOR'S BALI/. Mr Hall intimated that at 8.30 he would move the adjournment of the House, as he understood he would thereby be consulting the convenience of members. Mr Pyke said he would oppose the motion, as members came to work —not to attend Governor's balls. The House adjourned at 5.30. The House resumed at "7.30. LAW PRACTITIONERS BILL. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners Bill. He explained that its object was to admit to the Bar "all persons of good character who could pass an examination in law. This had long been the practice in America, and worked moat admirably. Opening the study of the law to a large class of persons who were now debarred from doing so would, lie believed, prove most beneficial in its effects on this colony. Mr Hall said he sympathised with the object of the bill. He thought admission to the Bar should depend rather on the result of examination than on having served a certain number of years in an office. At the same time the bill wa3 rather crude, as it left the examination to one judge. If a man had a good knowledge of law there was certainly no reason why he should not. be allowed to practise it. He would support tho second reading, and amendments could be made in committee. Mr Reeves said the judges were to prescribe the standard, not one judge. The single judge was only to see that the prescribed examination was passed. The bill was read a second time. EDUCATION RESERVES. The Education Reserves Act 1877 Amendment Bill was considered in committee. Messrs Bastings, Pyke, DeLautour, and others supported the bill, and Messrs Sheehan, Speight, Whitaker, and others, opposed ifc. Progress was reported, and the House resumed. ADJOURNMENT. Mr Hall moved the adjournment of the House. Mr Pyke, Dr Wallis, and Mr Reoves opposed the motion. The House divided.—Ayes, 30 ; noes, 13. The House adjourned at 8.55.