HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 102, 28 October 1895, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 11 a.m. Mr Ward moved to reinstate the Asiatic and other Immigration Restriction Bill on the Order paper. He said the Bill had been shelved the other day by a catch vote. The motion was lost by 27 to 17. Mr Mills moved the second reading of the Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill, which provided that within twelve months after a conviction for any Criminal offence, application could be made to the Court of Appeal for a new trial by either the prosecution or the person, convicted. This provision, however was extended to the case of the prisoner Louis Chemis, provided that application was made within twelve months of the Act. Mr R. Thompson moved an amendment that the Bill be read a second time this day six months. Without further discussion the amendment was lost by 45 to 15. On the motion for the second reading Sir Robert Stout spoke very strongly against the Bill and contended that if passed it would make our judicial procedure such a bye-word and reproach as was brought against the administration of justice in some of the States of America. After a short discussion, Mr Mitchelson moved the adjournment of the debate, which was carried by 27 to 22. The Public Securities Bill was further considered in committee. In Clause 2, providing for the ensuing safe custody of certain securities, Mr Ward moved to amend the clause so as to provide that securities in respect of each office shall be kept and used solely for the purposes of that office. This was agreed to. In committee on the Local Authorities Loans Conversion Bill, Mr Carncross moved to report progress. After some discussion the Premier said it was evident members did not wish to go on with the work and ' the proceedings were becoming unseemly. The division should be taken at once. Eventually the motion to report progress was lost by 27 to 18. In clause 15. Mr Ward moved to alter the limit of the of term of currency- of the converted loan from thirty to fifty years. Sir Robert Stout thought the limit should be increased. Mr Ward said if the Act was to be of any use it was necessary to have the limit fifty years. After a long discussion Mr Ward's amendment to make the terms of the currency fifty years, was carried by 18 to 15. Mr Ward moved a new clause, pro* viding that the Governor in Council may empower any local authority to inscribe its conversion debentures in the books of such bank as he approves. Several members contended that: this was an attempt to place the inscription of stock in the hands of the Bank of New Zealand, no matter what was the cost to local bodies. Mr Ward denied this, and said the clause was only a permissive one. After considerable discussion the clause was carried by 24 to 14. The Bill was then reported with amendment. In reply to Captain Russell, Mr Seddon said the business of this session ought to finish absolutely on Tuesday night. , . . ' ■ At midnight the House adjourned till 11 a.m. on Monday. :