PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 54, 1 September 1893, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

I Legislative Council. i (per press association). j WELLINGTON, August 30. Tbe House met at 2.30. The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Bill was introduced by a message from the House of Representatives and read a first time. The second rending was set down for next day. Mr Montgomery moved the second reading of the Industrial Conciliation and i Arbitration Bill, which had already passed the Lower House. Mr McLean said the Bill looked very well, but it was not a measure that would do much good. Mr Stewart believed with regard to compulsory arbitration that most of the Unions in America and England were opposed to it. Mr Pharazyn said he believed the whole principle of the Conrts of Arbitration was an entire mistake and that it would, if carried, have a yery bad effect, especially on labor. After further debate the second reading was agreed to on the voices. The Workmen's Wages Bill was also read a second time on the voices. The Electoral Bill was further considered in committee. In clause 8 an amendment by Mr McLean to disfranchise habitual drunkards and persons who had l?een w-itlain a certain time convicted of assaulting their wives was rejected by 20 to 15. Mr Bowen protested against the course the Council was taking in refusing to pass the slightest amendment in the Bill for fear of endangering a certain clause in it. He should, therefore, take no further interest in the Bill. The hon. gentlemen then walked out of the Chamber. Mr \V. C. Walker spoke of the " degrading position " in which the Council had placed itself by refusing to pass any amendments, but was called to order by the) Chairman and withdrew the remark. The Clause was then adopted. In committee on clause 9, Hon Mr W. C. Walker moved exclusion of last paragraph in the clause which debars women from taking seats in either branch of the Legislature. Mr Bigg, as a further amendment moved the exclusion of word " man " with view to insert word " person " meaning that either man or women should be eligible to take seat in either branch of the Legislature. He thought that if women enjoyed the franchise they should also take part in responsibility of making laws. Sir George Whitraore and Messrs Kerr, Shrimski, Bonar, and W. C. Walker intimated their intention of supporting Kigg's amendment, as they considered if women were fit to exercise the franchise they were especially tit to sit at legislators. On a division Mr Bigg's amendment was lost by 18 to 15. The amendment lapsed and the clause passed without amendment. Progress was reported on reaching clause 11. and the Council rose at 9 p.m. House of Repukskntatives. The House met at 2.30, the afternoon being devoted to Local Bills. The Palmerston North Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Empowering Bill was read a second time. The Hon Mr McKen/.ie moved the second reading of the Native Land Purchase Act Acquisition Bill, to authorise the acquisition of land owned by Natives for the purpose of settlement. He pointed out that at the present time there were seven million acres in the North Island which were unoccupied and unproductive, and doing no good to the colony, but on the contrary were simply blocking the settlement of the country. The Government had to consider whether the time had not arrived when lands ot this description should not be acquired in such a manner as to promote settlement, and at the same time cause no injury to the Native owners. If the Bill passed it would give a fresh start to the North Island, and he had no doubt the Govern* ment would be able to obtain some large areas of land for settlement. Captain Russell opposed the Bill. Mr Mitchelson said he would support the second reading and advised Government not to proceed further than that stage. The Premier defended the Bill and said that the time had arrived when something should pc done in tbe direction indicated by the Bill. Mr Kapa opposed the Bill. Sir Robert Stout said that Government should not bring in a Bill of too drastic a character but should deal with the Maori race in a kindly manner. Mr Buchanan favored the Bill on the whole. Mr Taipua strongly objected to many of the provisions of the Bill. Mr Rolleston admitted the native land question must be dealt with, but this Bill was simply trifling with the question and would not settle it at all satis* fnctorily. What was wanted was a commission composed of the highest legal talent combined with the best knowledge of the Maori titles to deal with tbe question. Mr Cndman said it did not propose to deal with all the native land in the colony, the intention being to take land wherever it was required for settlement, There was no alternative proposal to selling or leasing land, and that, he thought, should be remedied. He honed the House would pass some mea* sure this session to facilitate the acquisition of land for settlement. Mr Carroll explained the principle of the Bill was, that where the Government ascertained there was an area of land desirable for settlement, they should proclaim such area, and then form a Board to ascertain its value. In replying, Mr McKenzie expressed gratification at the favorable reception the Bill met with. The second reading was agreed to on the voices, and the Bill referred to the Native Affairs Committee. The House rose at 1.30. a.m.