PARLIAMENTARY.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 304, 28 June 1895, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, June 27. Tbo Council mot at 2.30 Hon. Sir Patrick Buckley, in mov- ; ing the second reading of the animals ' protection Bill, remarked that one of \ its provisions sought to prevent the , i introduction of a noxious bird known ■ as the woodpigeon, whilst another clause made it penal for captains of vessels to bring vipers, scorpions, etc., amonst the cargo. — The second reading was agreed to. The Council then rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30, Sir G. M. O'Rorke being in the chair. Hon. Mr ..eddon stated that it was clearly the desire of the Legislature, in passing the Advances to Settlers Act, that that measure should be,keptfree from politics. Government would therefore oppose all returns for details that would locate places and parties,

but totals and general information as to the working of the Act would be given. Before the orders of the day were called on, Mr Seddon said he had been officially informed of Captain Russell's election to the position of leader of the Opposition, and he was speaking for members on both sides of the House when lie stated tliey recognised the member for Hawkes Bay had worthily won his spurs. Grave responsibility had been cast on that honorable gentleman, but he felt sure he was equal to the position, and he would receive from the Government that courtesy and consideration which his position of leader of the Opposition demanded. Captain Russell thanked the Premier for his kind remarks regarding himself, and went on to say the Opposition had every intention of treating Government with every possible courtesy. That party would do its best to facilitate the progress of public business, and would fairly criticise but not obstruct Government measures. In reply to criticisms of the Opposite og, Mr tfeddon said they all admitted the unemployed difficulty was a large question, and lie considered they, in New Zealand, had done more to settle that question than any other country. If Government were unduly pressed on this point so as to necessitate a borrowing policy the responsibility must fail on other shoulders than his. Mr Joyce moved the second reading of the Election of Governor Bill, to provide for the election of the Governor of New Zealand. He held it was a disgrace to them as a nation that they could not find one amongst them capable of filling this position, and he condemned the practice of sending to England for men to fill positions in their Universities, churches, and other institutions. Messrs Montgomery and T. McKenzie opposed the Bill. Captain Russell opposed the Bill. To pass such a measure as this would be. the first step towards separation from the Mother Country, and he wanted to know where they could get a more free form of government than New Zealand possessed at present. Certainly no Republic furnished a parallel. He was convinced that the true interest of the colony was to seek federation of the Empire, and an elective Governor would be a fatal bar to such federation. Messrs E. M. Smith, Hall - Jones, Meredith, and Mills supported the Bill, and Messrs Crowther.Earnshaw, Duthie, G. W. Russell, Massey, and Flatman spoke against it. The motion for the second reading was lost by 22 to 32 and the Bill was thus thrown out. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Uniforms Bill to regulate aud restrict the wearing of naval and military uniforms. — Agreed to on the voices. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Evidence Further Amendment Bill, which permits evidence of prisoners to be taken and makes privileged confessions made to Ministers and medical meu. Mr Pirani hoped a provision would be inserted in the Bill protecting newspaper editors and reporters from divulging names of correspondents and informants. Sir Robert Stout pointed out that newspaper men were bound to disclose the names of correspondents. The second reading was agreed to ou the voices. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Adulteration Prevention Act Amendment Bill to amend the law relating to the sale of bread. It provides that all breadjshall be sold in loaves of certain weight, and that every loaf shall be stamped. After a short debate iv which Messrs Crow. her, Sir Robert Stout aud Mr Pirani opposed the Bill, the second reading was agreed to on the voices. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill to raise the age of consent to sixteen years. — Agreed to on tbe voices. Mr Reeves moved the second reading of the Servants Registry Offices Bill, to regulate the conduct of these offices. The bill proposed to transfer the administration from local aiytlioxitie., to the general Government.— Secoud readiug agreed to on the voices. Tho Hon Mr McKenzie moved the second readiug of the Native Townships Bill, to promote settlement aud opening up of tho interior of the North Island. He said the Bill was of great importance to tho northern portion of the colony, and was introduced for the purpose of cuabliug the Goyernment to tako land for townships. — Tho motion was agreed to. The Hon Mr Reoves moved the second reading of tho Public 'Ponders, Contract and Works Bill, to limit undue competition iv tendering aud otherwise, aud to ensure fair wages and working hours iv public contracts and works. — The motion was agreed to. The Hou Mr Reeves moved the second reading of the Wages Attachment Abolition Bill. He said a similar Act had beeu iv force iv England for 24 years aud he believed with vory good effect. The second reading was agreed to ou the voices. Tho House rose at 12.5.