PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 55, 2 September 1893, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Legislative Council, (per press association). ■Wellington. September 1. The Council met at 2.30. The second reading of the Alcoholic Liquor Sale and Control Bill was postponed till Tuesday. The Electoral Bill was further considered in committee. In clause 11, the Hon Mr McLean proposed an amendment with the object of finding out whether the Council would go the length of one man one roll. The amendment was lost by 22 to 11. Colonel Whitmore proposed a further amendment qualifying mem> bers of the Permanent Artillery for the franchise. Lost by 20 to 17, and the clause adopted without alteration. In clause B, the Hon Mr Bonar moved to strike out £5 penalty proposed for non-compliance with terms of clause. » Lost by 18 to 16. Some discussion ensued as to the alleged action of the Government party in the Council in refusing to allow any, even the smallest, amendment to be made in the Bil) t and the Hon Mr Reynolds moved to report progress with the view of killing the Bill. Sir P. Buckley denied he had made any compact as to not amending the Bill, and said the simple fact was the supporters of the Bill were in the majority. The Hon Mr Reynolds subsequently withdrew his motion, but said if reasonable amendments were not allowed he would fight the Bill up to the last stages. Clauses 13 to 60 (excepting clause 18, which was postponed) were passed without amendment. In clause 61, "Seamen and commercial travellers to make declaration and claim for an elector's right," the Hon Mr Rigg's motion to strike out the words "commercial travellers," was lost by 21 to 15. A proposition to include shearers and harvesters in the privilege was lost by 18 to 16. The Hon. Mr W. C. Walker, as a further amendment on clause 61, moved to include bushfellers as being qualified to exercise the electoral right. The Hon. Mr McLean thought it would be better to let the Bill go by the board until the amendment of which he had given notice with reference to women's franchise should be called on. On Tuesday next he intended to oppose the Bill up to the last possible stage, and would do all in his power to frustrate its passage, even if his opposition went so far as to delay the Bill receiving Her Majesty's assent. House of Representatives. The House met at 2.30. Replying to Mr Fish, Mr Reeves said Government had not yet decided whether they would renew Dr. Macgregor's engagement as Inspector of Hospitals and Charitable Aid at £1200 a year, and it was quite true that five hundred employes of the Lunacy Department had either been dismissed or voluntarily retired since Dr. Macgregor's appointment, but this number was to a large extent due to the re-organisation of three large departments. Mr Fish moved the adjournment of the House and at some length criticised Dr. Macgregor's management of the Lunacy Department, contending the salary of £1200 a year was far too large. Mr Reeves said that as to Mr Fish's reflections on Dr. Macgregor, lie had never seen a more enthusiastic, skilful or devoted public servant than Dr. Macgregor, and, if he had any voice in the matter, he should advocate that that gentleman's service be retained by the colony at his present salary. A f ter nearly two hour's debate the subject dropped. In reply to Mr Rolleston, Mr Seddon said he hoped to be able to announce on Tuesday that the portfolio of Native Minister had been filled. As to the date of the delivery of the Public Works Statement, he would make an announcement as soon as the public business had progressed more than at present. The Cheviot Estate Disposition Bill was considered in Committee. In Clause 5, residue of estate to be rural land, Mr Earnshaw moved an amendment to the effect that no portion of the estate shall be sold. The Hon. Mr McKenzie explained that it would be absolutely necessary to sell a portion of the estate for cash in order to provide money for surveying and cutting up the estate, which could not possibly be done out of the revenue. After a lengthy discussion the amendment was lost by 50 to 7. Mr Earnshaw moved that the land be sold on perpetual lease instead of on lease in perpetuity. Lost by 30 to 19, and the clause passed without alteration. Mr McKenzie moved the second leading of the Land for Settlement Act Amendment Bill, which was agreetl to after a lengthy debate, and the Bill was referred to the Waste Lands Committee. The House rose at 1.30.