HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 78, 28 September 1895, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30. Mr Laruach brought up the report of the Public Accounts Committee with reference to the sending of trust securities to London. The reporb was to the following effect:—" The committee, after enquiry into the circumstances of sending to London the securities held by the Post Office, Public Trust Office, and Government Life Insurance Department, find that it was not contrary to law for the custodians in the colony to send securities to custodians in London, assuming that the law allowed the appointment of custodians outside of the colony. As to this, however, there is a doubt, and such being the case, looking at the necessity from time to time of having to send securities to London for conversion purposes, it is desirable that the law should be so amended so as to permit custodians in London being (appointed |as well as in the colony, proper safeguards being provided meanwhile in respect to all securities during transit to London. The committee therefore recommend that legislation be immediately introduced to place the securities referred to in an undoubtedly safe position." Hon. Seddon stated that Government had had a bill prepared for some time to give effect to the recommendation of the committee, and the Bill would be introduced forthwith. Mr Mills gave notice to ask the Premier if to avoid late night sittings Government would during the recess take into consideration the desirability of altering the Standing Orders to admit of the House meeting each sitting day at 10.30 a.m. one day during each week to be set apart entirely for committee tee work. The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee. On the motion being put' that Sir R. Stout's new clause to bring hotels under the Shops and Shop Assistant's Act, 1894 (which had previously been read a second time) be added to the Bill, the Premier appealed to the committee to reject it on the ground that its insertion would jeopardise the safe passage of the Bill in another place.—Lost by 32 to 16. Mr G. J. Smith moved a new clause to provide that every general election day shall be deemed to be a Sunday within the meaning of the Licensing Act.—Lost by 29 to 24. The Hon Mr Seddon moved a new clause to provide that every day on which the election of the Licensing Committee and local national poll takes place shall be a public holiday. After some discussion Mr Seddon Bgreed to alter his motion making the day a half-holiday. This was carried on the voices. Hon. Seddon then moved that the lie ensing election day shall be deemed to be a Sunday from mid dav to 7 p.m. —This was carried by 46 to 11. Mr Thos. Mackenzie moved to allow electors who were unable to personally attend polling booths to record their votes, the machinery for which he would indicate if the clause was carried. Mr Seddon objected to this innovation, as it was an attempt to interfere with the principle of the ballot box. The clause was rejected by 25 to 14, Mr Buick moved a new clause rendering any person found on licensed premises during prohibited hours liable to a penalty unless his presence is not in contravention of the Act. Mr Seddon recognised that something should be done in this matter, and it was provided for in the bill. It should be seen whether this was satisfactory before any more drastic provision was inserted. The clause was negatived by 28 to 18. Mr Buddo moved a new clause to the effect that a licensee Bhall have only one bar on his licensed premises—Lost by 31 to 25. Mr Buddo moved a new clause to the effect that a constable may demand the name and address of any person found on licensed premises during prohibited hours, and if a constable has reason to suppose the information given is false he may apprehend . such person without warrant—Lost on the voices. A new clause was inserted on Mr Hone Heke's motion relating to the issue of prohibition orders against Maoris. The Bill was then reported with mendrnents, which were agreed to. The Hon. Mr Seddon moved to recommit clause 2 in order to decide whether or not the local option poll should be taken on the same day as the general election. He said the House was so evenly decided on the question when it was last before the House, that he thought it only right to give the hon. members another opportunity of considering it. "The motion was carried after a long debate by 31 to 24. On the motion of Mr Seddon, the Standing Orders were suspended so that the Bill could be put through its final stages at this sitting The Bill was then recommitted. The Alcoholic Liquor Bill was finally reported from committee as further amended. On the motion for the third reading a short debate took place, the members of the temperance party expressing an opinion that the Bill was an improvement on the previous liquor laws, and congratulating the Premier on the way in which he had dealt with a difficult subject. The third reading was carried by 45 to 2 — Willis and Mills. The Bill was passed at 12 30. The House rose till 7.30 on Monday.