HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 96, 19 October 1895, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2 80. In reply to Capt. Russell, Hon. Seddon said he would inform the House on Tuesday what bills Government proposed to abandon. He was well satisfied with the way business was progressing. He also hoped to be able to state before Parliament dissolved what action Government intended to take in recard to the vacancy on the Supreme Court Bench. Hon. McKenzie moved the second reading of the Land Act Amendment Bill, which he explained was a technical measure containing some small amendments to make the Act work more smoothly. It contained no new principle. Sir R. Stout was surprised to hear the Minister describe this as a technical Bill, as section 7 contained an entirely new principle, to the effect that all metals, minerals, oils, gravel, limestone, &c, shall be reserved to the Crown. He asked who would hold land if this were agreed to. Captain Russell concurred in Sir R. Stout's views and strongly condemned clause 7. After a short debate Hon. McKenzie, in the courso of his reply, said the Bill had been brought in at the earnest request of a large number of members of the House. As to clause 7 he stated that Government were giving away minerals on land worth hundreds of pounds, and it was time such a thing was stopped. The second reading was agreed to on the voices, and the Bill referred to the Waste Lands Committee. Hon. McKenzie moved the second reading of the Pastoral Tenants Relief Bill, for the purpose of giving relief to settlers who had suffered severe losses from snow storms in the south during last winter. Nobody could say that these people were political friends of his, but his first duty was in the interests of the colony, if some relief were not granted many of the old settlers would be absolutely ruined and driven out of their homes and the country would be abandoned. In some cases it would probably be the best plan to remit a half-year or year's rent, whilst in others it might be advisable to give settlers time to get financial assistance to re -stock their runs. — Motion agreed to and the Bill referred to the Waste Lands Committee. Mr Ward moved the second reading of the Public Securities 3ill to make fuller provision for the safe custody of securities belonging to public offices and departments. He said the Bil would remove any doubts as to the safety \ of the securities of the Poet Office Government Insurance and Public Trust Office. Mr Bell thought subsection 3 of section 3 placed two much power in the hands of the Colonial Treasurer. He thought in Khis subsection 3 the AuditorGeneral should take the place of the Colonial Treasurer. Hon. Ward said ho had no abjection to thic The Bank agreement for the purchase of the Colonial Bank was laid on the table. Mr Geo. Hutchison asked if the Premier would lay upon the table the list of shareholders in the Colonial Bank. Hon. Seddon replied that no reason had been given for this. After further debate the second reading of tho Public Securities Bill was agreed to on the voices. A message was received from the Legislative Council insisting on its amendments in the Alcholic Liquor Bill. Hon Seddon moved that a conference be asked for and that Messrs Mitchelson, McNab, Meredith and the mover be managers to represent the House— Agreed to by 48 to 15. Mr Ward moved 6h« second reading of the Beet Boot Sugar Bill, which provided for the payment of £'50,000 in fifteen years for the first ten thousand tons of sugar produced in the colony from beet root. Capt. Russell moved a hostile amendment, but after a short debate this was rejected by 87 to 22 and the Bill read a second time. The Public Works and Government Railways* Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee for several hours. In clause 7 an amendment was proposed by Sir Robert Stoat " That no alcoholic liquors be sold in Railway Refreshment rooms, except for fifteen minutes before the train starts." was lost 82 to 21. The Bill passed through committee without material amendment, and was put through its final stages. At 3.80 the House adjourned till 730 p.m. on Monday.