HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 7, 16 July 1891, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, July 14. -A farther leave of absence for one week was granted to Mr Macarthur on the ground of ill-health. Mr Fisher gave notice that he would next day ask when the report relative to the cost of the Edwards' trial, will be laid on the table. In reply to Mr B. H. J. Beeves, the Minister of Lands said the Government thought it would be a very goodthing if some cheaper means of manufacturing flax could be devised, and they would be prepared to support any such discovery. The Premier informed Mr J. W. Thompson that a clause would be introduced into the Indecent Advertisements Bill to remedy the evil caused by the circulation of immoral litdfature. A long discussion took place relative tothe fact of portions of a correspondence ordered to be laid on the table by order of the Souse, relating to the cost, &c, of locomotive boilers ordered from England, having been left out of the return, which was considered by the Opposition to be a breach of privilege, A letter on the subject was read from the Bailway Commissioners. Mr Bryce moved that the extraction of this letter by a Minister from the correspondence was a breach of privilege. The Premier contended that there was nothing in Standing Order 364 which proved that this constituted a breach of privilege ; besides which Ministers had a perfcO>; right to keep back correspondence — a practice which had been followed in tae best interests of the House. Mr Scobie Mackenzie quoted various authorities, showing that it was a breach of privilege to withhold any documentsordered by the House. The Minister for Public Works defended his action at some length. Mr Bees moved as an amendment, "That the action taken by the Minister for Public Works in relation to correspondence laid upon the table was in accordance with usual Constitutional practice." i On a division being taken the amendment proposed by Mr Bees was carried, the figures being Ayes, 30 ; noes, 21.. The Minister of Education moved thatthe> Bankruptcy Bill be read a" second time. Under this Act wages would have- a greater preference claim, and apprentice fees, would also have a preference claim*. The preference claim for rent would be altered to> preyent a landlord tt> complete » distress after a petition had been filed* The summary jurisdiction powers of a judge were greatly modified, it being proposed that the Official Assignee should prosecute where he thought proper, providing- always that he had the consent of the Crown Prosecutor, and the case -would then be prosecuted in the usual manner before a judge and ]ury. He did not however, think that bankrupts had been dealt with harshly, in the past, or would be so dealt with in the future. The power of a judge to sentence a bankrupt for contempt of Court was also curtailed, and a bankrupt could also be prosecuted where he had. brought about his bankruptcy by gambling or drinking. It was also proposed to do away with the post of Deputy-Official Assignee. The second reading was agreed to, and the Bill was referred to the Statutes Beyision Committee. The second reading of the Coal Mines Bill was agreed to, and it waß referred to, the Croldnelds and Mines Committee. Wednesday, July 15. In answer to the Hon, Mr Fergus, the Minister of Lands said the Government were collecting information on fruit growing. They considered it a very important industry, and intended to support it in every possible way, thinking that a good plan would be the appointment of an expert to assist fruit growers in the. technical part of their work. The Premier, replying to Mr Fisher, said the business of the Government. Insurance Department was now transacted by Messrs Kirk and Atkinson, and also by Messrs Campbell and Gray. As to the legal business of the Public- Trust office Mr Wilson had not yet retired, although he was under notice. Mr Earnshaw moved that the Govern- ■ ment take into consideration the advisability of providing school books and requisites to scholars at first coat, and the necessity of producing a national school book or books dealing in a practical manner with agriculture, minerals, custom* of the people, natural history, configuration, &c., of New Zealand. The motion was agreed to on the voices. The Divorce Amendment Bill was. read a second time. Mr Palmer moved the second reading of the Bill Government Railways Act. 1887 Repeal, designed to take. the control of the railways out of the hands of the Bailway Commissioners, arid replace it ia the hands of the Government. The debate on the subject was adjourned.

Mr Stead, in the Review of Reviews, publishes what is regarded as an inspired* defence of the Prince of Wales. He de« clares that his Eoyal Highness is in a, perfectly solvent portion financially and goes on to say that the evidence in theBaccarafc scandal did not reveal that tno .Prince was in any way implicated. fl .i? t ? notic f» ble fee * «h«t great mea, seldom leave direct descendants. tf apo .<: . ft? 3 ellm^' Washington, all pro™ £njS°' "l hakes P eare left only two daughters, whose children died without issue. Probably the nearest relative to. the great poet now living is one Thomas Hart a resident of Australia, who is .said to be the eighth m descent from Shakes* peare s .sister Joan. Walter Scatt's lineended with the second or third genera* tion. Jt is also a notable fact that great men rarely leave ereat descendants, as witness -BismarJc and Gladstone. Among other eelebritießwhd kit no' direct !w»