HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 46, 22 August 1895, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

[Per Press Association.] Wellington, Augnst 21. Tho House met at 2.30.' Several Bills were read a first time including the Native Land Laws Amend meut Bill (Hon Mr Seddon), Regulation of Manufacture and Sale of Margarine Bill (Hon Mr McKenzie), Domestic Servants' Half-holiday Bill (Mr J.W. Kelly) Ministers Salaries and Allowances Act Amendment Bill (Mr Seddon). Replying to questions, it was stated — Tbat Government could not see their way to legislate for the establishment of State fire insurance in the colony. That Ohaupo, the scene of the outbreak of anthrax, has been declared an infected district and Government were taking every possible precaution to prevent the spread of the disease. That nothing the House could put on the Statute book would solve the unemployed difficulty ; Government believed tbe true solution lay in putting people on the laud and tbey were doing their best in tbis direction. Tbat tbe session was so far advanced that there was very little possibility of getting the Hawkers and Pedlars' Bill through the Honse. That Government could not agree to appoint only duly qualified veterinary surgeons as chief inspectors of stock, but tho advisability of appointing another veterinary surgeon for the colony was under consideration. That Government would put a sum on tbe Estimates to provide free storage for a mouth for dairy produce at the Government cool stores. That further reduction could not be made on railway rates for the carriage of cream and milk. That Government hoped to introduce an Eight Hours Bill this session. That Government could not agree to set up a committee of members of the House to inquire into the working of tho Advances to Settlers Act, as it was desirable to keep the Lending Board free from political influence. The Local Government Bill was read a first time, and Mr Seddon said he would have copies of the Bill sent to all the local bodies in the colony, and tako the second reading in a fortnight. Captain Russell thought, as this was such an important measure, local bodies should be allowed a month to consider it. Mr Joyce moved the second reading of the Inebriates Institution BiU to provide for tbe establishment of institutions and retreats for the reception and protection of inebriates. The time bad arrived when this colony should do its part in endeavouring to reclaim drunkards. The Hou W. P. Reeves doubted the wisdom of passing a Bill of tbis kind, and thought it better to postpone legislation of this nature until some one was prepared to find a very considerable sum for carrying out such an institution. Tbe Bill was debated at some length. Its principle generally found favour, but the objection was raised tbat its machinery was defective, while others thought the measure of such an important nature that it should be introduced by tho Government and not by a private member. Tbe second reading was agreed to on the voices. Mr McNab moved tbe second reading of the Divorce Bill, which be explained has passed tbe Legislative Council in charge of the Hon Mr McGregor. With regard to the period of desertion, specified as a ground for divorce, he said there would be no objection to increasing the term from four to five or six years. He explained the provisions of the measure, and pointed out the safeguards that "were provided. In extendtbe grounds for divorce to desertion, he thought sufficient safeguards were contained in the Bill to provide for all cases. Nothing was introduced in tbe Bill that was not in successful operation in the other Colonies. Captain Russell, Messrs Reeves, Seddon, Bell, Buddo, Meredith, and Willis also spoke. After a long debate tbe second reading of Mr McNab's Divorce Bill was carried by 40 to 6. The House rose at 12.45.