PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 52, 30 August 1893, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Legislative Council, (per press association). Wellington, August 30. The Council met at 2.30. The Wanganui Harbour Board Empowering Bill was read a second time. The Council then went into Committee on the Electoral Bill, the Hon Colonel Baillie being in the chair. In Clause 2, " Commencement of Act." the Hon Mr Kelly moved an amendment to the effect that no woman should be capable of voting at any election for members of House of Representatives until October Ist, 1894. The amendment was negatived by 33 to 4 (Kelly, Mantell, Shrimski and Swainson.) In Clause 3, interpretation, the Hon. Mr Walker moved an amendment by which voters absent from the House on the day of election should be able to register their votes, instead of only giving such right to commercial travellers and seamen, as was proposed in the Bill. The amendment was lost by 19 to 18. At this stage it was agreed to report progress as the Chairman of Committees was in poor health, and there was great difficulty in getting anyone else to take his place. The Council then adjourned till tomorrow. House of Representatives. The House met at 7.30. Replying to questions, It was stated that Government could not take any action at present in abating the small birds nuisance. The Government would do their best to get Education Boards to modify syllabus for pupil teachers examinations. That Government would consider the case of Captain Kerr, of the Salvation Army, when the report of the Resident Magistrate was received. On the motion of the Premier it was decided that for the rest of the session Government business take precedence on Thursdays at 7.30 p.m. In reply to a remark by Mr Rolleston with reference to checking the rabbit pest in South Canterbury, the Hon Mr McKenzie said the only way to deal with this question was to compell settlers to do their duty and he intended to do that. v The Premier moved that the Alcoholic Sales Control Bill be recommitted for the purpose of making amendments on certain clauses, Mr G. Hutchison moved that subsections 3 and 4of clause 15, be recommitted for the purpose of proposing alteration in the manner of taking the licensing poll. Lost by 37 to 22. Mr Seddon accepted another amendment moved by Mr G. Hutchison, providing for a second poll in event of the determination of electors that no publican's licenses should be granted, and it was decided that this should be reconsidered when the Bill was recommitted. An attempt by Mr Meredith to have the clause giving the landlord ri«ht of renewal for two years recommitted for the purpose of striking it out, was defeated by 26 to 21. Captain Russell moved for the recommittal of the club clause, in order that the committee might have an opportunity of again considering whether clubs should come under the Act or not. Lost by 38 to 17. The Premier's motion was then carried and the House went into Committee for the consideration of the clauses agreed upon. Clause 16, dealing with the reduction in number of licenses, was amended so as to provide that in case of certain convictions under the Act being endorsed on the license afterwards issued, that cancelling or otherwise of the license on this endorsement within three years should be subject to the decision of the Committee. In Clause 19, provision bringing Bellamy's within the operation of Licensing Act, was struck out by 31 to 24. In committee on the Alcoholic Liquors Bill, Mr Sandford moved regulation in clause 19, that club bars should be closed at 11 o'clock at night, and that clubs should be subject to the provisions of the Licensing Act in regard to endorsement licenses for Sunday trading be struck out, was carried by 43 to 14. Mr Seddon moved an amendment | prohibiting the sale of liquor in clubs at unauthorised hours. Lost by 32 to 25. Several new clauses were added to the Bill which was reported with amendments and the third reading set down for next day. Mr Ward moved the second reading of the Rating Acts Amendment Bill, to declare all native land to be rateable property and to authorise rating on unimproved value of lands. He said ho proposed | after tho eocond reading, to refer the Bill to a special committee, and at the same time to refer the portion relating to natives to the Native Affairs Committee. The proposal to tax native land was not to be made general, and as for rating on unimproved values, he knew a great difference of opinion existed on that point, but he felt sure the majority of those concerned would be in favor of the proposed Bill. It also allowed local bodies to make their own assessment. Mr Ward then explained the various clauses of the Bill in detail. Mr E. M. Smith regarded the Bill as a step in the right direction. Mr Parata thought the Bill might well have been left over till after the general election. Mr T. McKenzie considered the Bill unnecessary. Mr R. Thompson said the whole Bill was not worth wasting five minutes upon. Messrs Wilson, Newman, Palmer, Moore, Lake, Duthie, McLean, and \Vright, also spoke, and the Minister having replied, the second reading was carried on a division by 80 to 9. The House rose at 1.45.