LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 75, 22 September 1894, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

LEGISLATIVE . (Per fress Association.] Wbixinoton, September 21. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. ; Hon Sir P. Buckley moved the second reading of the Government Kailway BUI. Hon Stewart said he would not oppose the Bill but he regarded it as a retrograde step. He congratulated the exCommissioners on the manner in which they had conduoted*the railways-during the last five years, and expressed the opinion that the country, excepting .the farmers who desired produce to be car* ried at ruinous rates, entertained the same opinion. "* ~,' c ' •#*--**»'' ****** Hon'Bigg supported the Sill. He thought the railways never should have been placed under irresponsible control., Hon Dr Grace spoke highly of the services rendered by the ex-Commmisiori-ers, and was opposed to the resumption by the State of the railways. Hon Pharazyn protested 'against the assertion that public opinion clamoured for a change, as was evidenced- by the protest of nearly every Chamber of Com* merce throughout the country. Hon Jennings warmly supported the Bill. > Hon Bowen considered the best plan would be for the State to resume con* trol of the railways. Hon Reynolds did not oppose the Bill; but at the same time spoke highly of the late Commissioners' service/ ' ■ Hon Sir G. Whitmore hailed the Bill, with some degree of satisfaction as the ' railway would be directly under the control of a responsible head. ' The Hon. Mr Bolt supported'the Bill, ' as he believed public opinion demanded that the railways should be resumed by the Government. The Hon. Mr Stevens defended Sir John Hall's Ministry, of which he was a member, in creating a non-political board to work the railways. The- Bill, he feared, would prove entirely uncalled for and of great danger to the State. Hon. Jenkinson strongly supported the Bill, and accused Mr Maxwell of incompetency and unfairness, not only to the working men, but also of disloyalty to his late colleagues.' ' ' Hon. Shrimsln thought it ill became a late servant of the Government rail* ways to speak so ill of the services from which he had earned his bread; - The Hon. Sir Patrick Buckley, in bis reply, said he regretted the' Hon. Jen* kinsdn had made such an exhibition of himself as be had done that evening. He challenged that hon. gentleman to vote against the Bill in the same warm manner as he had spoken against it- ' The second reading was agreed' ,to on the voices. •"!' t The Shops and Shop-Assistants Bill was further considered in Committee. In the interpretation clause hotel bars • were exempted from closing. An amend* ment in the same clause to confer halfholiday upon persons employed in bank* ing, insurance or commercial offices was . carried by 14 to 11. The proposal to ex. empt the members of shop-keepers' . family from the provision of the Bill was lost by 14 to 11. In clause Ban amend* ment by Mr Bigg to make Saturday the day for observing the half-holiday was rejected by 20 to 8. 'In clause 4 chemist shops were allowed to be opened on the day of the holiday between the boors of 7 and 9 p.m. A new subjection was added to clause 9, its effect being that a shopkeeper, if he desires it, may close his place on Saturday notwithstanding. that local authorities may have decided on another day. This sub-section was carried by 12 to 7. Mr Ormorid moved a new clause to the effect that all offices shall be closed not later that 5 p.m. on every day of the week. The clause was agreed to on the voices. It was agreed that the whole Bill should be recommitted on Tuesday. The Council then a/linfirriArL