HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 15, 17 July 1895, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30. In answer to questions, Government said they could not undertake to assist country libraries with £ for £ subsidies. If workmen on cooperative works were knocked off on Saturday in addition to lost time for wet weather the instructions were misunderstood, and the matter would be remedied. Legislation would probably be introduced remedying the grievances of the local bodies re collection of rates on native lands, as well as giving lessees the right to renew leases without competition. Mr Ward made a statement in reference to reports circulated about his reply to the New Plymouth bondholders at Home io the effect that be had only promised to refer the question of arbitration to his colleagues, providing certain conditions were agreed to. On the third reading of the Native Townships Bill, Mr Hone Heke unreservedly apologised for the statement made on Friday last that the Minister of Lands knew when he paid £2000 | for part of the Horowhenua Block that the party receiving money was not entitled to it. The Native Townships Bill was read a third time. The Family Homes Protection ancl Adoption of Children Bills passed through committee with amendments. The Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill, raising the age of consent to 16, and increasing the maximum punish ment for putting obstacles on raihvay lines to fourteen years, passed through committee with slight amendments. The Evidence Further Amendment Bill was committed. Clause 9, making all confessions to ministers privileged, was strong!}' opposed by Sir B. Stout and others, but was retained by 31 to 24. Clause 11, absolving pressmen from being compelled to disclose the name of any contributor (which had been inserted by the Statutes Revision Committee) provoked a long discussion. The Hon. W. P. Reeves said he could not accept this clause, which was also strongly opposed by the Hon. J. McKenzie. Sir R. Stout, Mr Pirani, and others urged that the clauses should be inserted. After several hours discussion on clause 11 of the Evidence Further Amendment Bill was struck out by 37 to 15. A new clause proposed Jjy Mr Hall, with the object of compelling pressmen to divulge the names of contributors under a penalty of two years' imprisonment was rejected by 32 to 7. The Bill was then reported as amended but was recommitted on Mr Reeves motion for the purpose of striking out clauses 9 and 10, which provided that all confessions made to ministers of religion and medical men should be priveleged. Mr Reeves said he did not regard these two clauses of much importance, and as they might jeopardise the Bill he was desirous of striking them out. After considerable discussion Mr Reeves moved to report progress on the Bill, saying it was evident the committee was not in a humour to go on with the business. This was agreed to, and the House rose at 1.20.