HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 84, 3 October 1894, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30. In reply to questions Mr Ward said the question of allowing the Bank of New Zealand to carry on business in places ontside the colony could not be considered until the advice of the new President on the point had been re* ceived. That Government were of opinion the separation of the Estates Company from the Bank of New Zealand should be affected, but the question was one upon which they must await the guidance of the new President. That the Government had no information as to whether the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, and the Bank of New Zealand were indebted to each other. That it would not be the duty of the President of the Bank of New Zealand to report to the Government on transactions between the bank and private individuals but to exercise a general supervision over the affairs of the bank so that if any improper business was undertaken it would be reported to the Colonial Treasurer. That the Government were of opinion that under proper safeguards the amalgamation between the Colonial Bank and the Bank of New Zealand would have been satisfactory, and would still be so. The House rose at 5.80. The House met at 7 30. The Foreign Insurance Company's Deposits Bill was further considered in committee On the interpretation clause Mr G. J. Smith moved an amendment to exempt Fire and Marine Insurance Companies from the operation of the Bill, After a long discussion the amendment was withdrawn, and the clause postponed to enable Mr Ward to re-draft it in so far as it affects Fire and Marine Insurance Companies. Clause 4 providing that no Foreign Company, with limited liability, shall oarry on Life Insurance was struck out. Progress was then reported. Sir Robert Stout raised the question whether the Legislative Council was within its rights in amending the Land for Settlement Bill which was an Appropriation Bill. If the Council could alter this Bill it could amend the Consols Bill, j Advances to Settlers Bill, and other Money Bills brought down by the Government. The Speaker said he was not aware of the nature of the amendments made by the Council in this Bill, but would look into them, and give his ruling to-morrow. The Foreign Insurance Companies Deposit Bill was again committed. Clause 5 was struck out and a new clause substituted, requiring every Fire and Marine Insurance Company to obtain from the Public Trustee a certificate authorising the company to carry pn such business. The Bill was then reported aud subsequently put through its final stages. In Committee on the Native Land Cqurt Bill clauses up to 15 were passed and progress reported. The House rose at 2.5 a.m.