HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 90, 12 October 1895, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30, Mr Guinness in the chair. In reply to questions it was stated — That Government would consider whether further alteration of the standing orders was required in tbe direction of shortening debates in the House. That the Midland Railway Company had absolutely declined to face the Supreme Court in regard to the seizure of their railway by Government. That Government could not hold out any hope of being able to lower railway freights on frozen meat. That Government would do their best this session to pass a bili in the direction of providing cheap lime for farmers. The Shops and Shop Assistants Act j Amendment Bill and Westland and NelI son Native Reserves Act Amendment Bill were read a second time pro forma on the understanding that the debate on them would take place when they returned from their respective committees to which they were referred. In committee on the Impounding Act Amendment Bill considerable discussion took place on clause 2. Eventually the Hon McKenzie asked the House to divide on the clause and said he had no desire to force the Bill on the House. The clause was lost by 30 to 17, whereupon Mr McKenzie moved to report progress, which was agreed to and on his motion the Bill was discharged from the Order Paper. Mr Ward moved the second reading of the Rating Act Amendment Bill, the chief provisions for which were to make native lands vested in the Public Trustee rateable property, and to impose only half rates on buildings which were unoccupied for six months. The Hon. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Unclassified Societies Registration Bill, to incorporate unclassified Societies, principally athletic bodies, and allow them to sue and be sued. The motion was agreed to on the voices without discussion. The Hon Mr Ward moved the second reading of tbe Foreign Insurance Companies Deposits Amendment Bill, to enable the Public Trustee to issue a certificate to foreign insurance companies, and also to give power to the Governor in Council to vary the rate of interest on these deposits. — Agreed to on the voices. The Rating Act Amendment Bill was considered in Committee. Clause 5, Local authority to defray costs of valuation lists and Assessment Courts ; and clause 8, making the Act retrospective — both were struck out. Tbe Bill was reported and put through its final stages. The House adjourned till 7.30 on Monday. ______________