HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 299, 24 June 1896, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

In the House, Mr Seddoa announced that District Jndge Ward had refused the offer of the vacancy on the Supreme Court Bench. With regard to the re-allotment of portfolios Mr Seddon said he hoped to announce these to the House in a few days. The debate on the Address-in -Reply was continued by Messrs Morrison, Massey, Buddo, Maslin, Crowther and Fraser and concluded. The Imperial Supply Bill for £341,000 passed through all stages, and while in committee some discussion took place on the delay in the completion of the Makohine Viaduct, during which Mr Seddon said the loan money for the North Island Trunk line was exhausted. The Asiatic Restriction Bill was passed through Committee with an alteration in the Interpretation Clause. The definition " Asiatic " was altered to include members of coloured races of any parts of Asia. The Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Hall- Jones moved the second reading of the Contagious Diseases Act Repeal Bill. i Sir R. Stout hoped he would amend the Public Health Act and cope with this disease. The repeal of the Act was not sufficient. Mr Seddon said the repeal of the Act would clear the way for further action. He agreed with Sir R. Stout that men should be subject to the same legislative conditions in regard to this disease as women were. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. The Bill was subsequently put through committee and its final stages without amendment. The Hon. Mr Thompson moved the second reading of the Juries Amendment Bill which he explained abolished special and grand juries, provided for the payment of jurors, and reduced the area of jury districts. The debate was adjourned. Mr Thompson moved the second reading of the Second Hand Dealers Licensing Bill which was framed on the same lines as the measure introduced by Mr W, Hutchison last session, agreed to. The Ngatitoa Trust Bill was read a second time. The House rose at 11.80