HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 105, 31 October 1895, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(Per Press Association). Wellington, Oct. 30. Hon. McKenzie moved that the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Land Act Amendment Bill be agreed to. He said that he did so under the strongest possible protest, and if the Council continued to make important alterations in bills passed in the House by large majorities both the House and the country would have to take some steps m the matter. As he did not wish to lose the Bill he would accept the amendment in clause 8, striking out the provision reserving all gravel, limestone and other mineral deposits to the Crown, but would bring it up again next session. Mr Geo. Hutchison pointed out that the clause struck out by the Council was strongly opposed in the House. The motion was agreed to. Replying to questions it was stated — That Government had not promised Mr E. M. Smith a passage to England at the public expense. That the Martini Henri rifles would be in the colony by the end of the year, and immediately on their arrival would be distributed to the volunteer corps throughout the colony. That Government could not undertake to introduce a Bill to amend the " Gaming Act 1894 " next session. That a private letter had been received by Government stating that sly grog selling was prevalent in the Clutha district, and the police would be instructed to carry out the provisions of the Licensing Act thoroughly. That Government would state at the beginning of next session whether or not they wound introduce a Referendum Bill. That the whole matter as to the advisableness of establishing National Fire Insurance would be gone into during the recess. The Public Irust Office Consolidation Act Amendment Bill, Deceased Persons Estates Duties Amendment Bill, Kaihu Valley Railway Extension BUI, Abbattoirs and Slaughter Houses Act Amendment Bill, and Trnck Act Amendment Bill were read a second time. The Committal of the Census Act Amendment Bill was carried by 28 to 20. Hon. Reeves brought up the report of the conference on the Shops and Shop Assistants Bill, which was to the effect that a compromise had been arrived at. He explained that the compromise affected in regard to small shops was to the effect that the owners of small shops which were exempt from closing under last session's Act could in the month of January of each year choose their own day for closing throughout the year. In return for this concession theHoußehad given way on some minor details. He might say that he did not expect to get such a concession from the Council, and if had not been accepted it meant dropping the bill. Sir R. Stout complained that the Council had again excised the provision bringing hotel bars within the meaning of the Act. The report of the conference was adopted. The Speaker said he had received a letter from Sir W. Buller asking him to lay on the table of the House a memorandum in reply to that of the SolicitorGeneral on the subject of law costs. The Speaker said he could not comply with the request. A memo must be laid on the table by a Minister or a member. Hon. Seddbn said the Speaker had done the proper thing. He did not think the House would object to the memorandum being laid on the table by a member. Hon. Seddon moved that the Customs Duties Reciprocity Bill be reinstated on the Order Paper and now read a second time. He said Government intended to confine the operations of the Bill to South Australia and abandon the Canadian agreement for the present. They had also decided to hold over consideration of the subsidy for the Vancouver service until next year, as that service must go hand in hand with reciprocity. The House had hurriedly thrown out the Bill on the second reading, but he hoped they would now give fair consideration to the agreement between the Treasurer and the Premier of South Australia. Captain Russell opposed the motion. In Committee on the Customs Duties Reciprocity Bill, several hostile amendments to kill the Bill were rejected by large majorities. Several amendments were made in the schedules in the direction of making the Bill apply only to South Australia. Under the agreement, as altered, the goods admitted duly free by South Australia are : — Barley, oats, horses, hops ; and New Zealand admits duty free : Olive oil, salt, dried fruits, and makes 50 per cent, concession in the duty on wine. Clause 7 was altered to provide that the reciprocity agreement can only be entered into with New South Wales or any other Australian colonies. The House went into committee on the Census Act Amendment Bill, but progress was immediately reported by 20 to 19. The Kaihu Valley Railway Extension Bill and the Truck Act Amendment Bill passed through committee. All bills which were put through committee during the sitting then passed the final stages without further debate, and at 7.45 a.m. the House adjourned till 10. jThis Day. The Appropriation Bill was introduced and read a second time. In Committee, Sir R. Stont moved a new clause to the effect that the Sinking Fund of loans under the Govern* ment Loans to Local Bodies Act shall be maintained, and all debentures issued under the presumed authority of the "Consolidated Stock Act, 1891," shall be redeemed by the Treasury out of funds voted, or hereafter voted, for such purpose. Messrs Seddon and Ward strongly opposed the clause. The law officers had advised the Government that the sinking fund transaction was strictly legal, and the Auditor-General had also approved of it. After considerable discussion the new clause was rejected by 2,4 tq 17, The Public Works Appropriation Bill was put through all its stages without amendment. On the motion of the third reading of the Appropriation Bill, Mr Ward explained the change that had been made in the system of drawn bonds, and complained that the Government had been frequently misrepresented on the point both inside and outside the House. He dealt at length with the question of the Sinking Fund of Local Bodies, and the action of the Public Accounts Committee in regard toiihe matter, contending that Committee had been turned into a mere party engine by the senior member for Wellington. The whole transaction in connection with these sinking funds would appear in . next year's financial statement.