HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 94, 17 October 1896, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, October 16. The House met at 2 30 On tbe motion of MrMcNab, seconded bp Capt. Russell, it was resolved that the House desires to place upon record its appreciation of the distinguished services of Mr Seddon and Sir R. Stout rendered gratuitously to the Colony in connection with the Midland Railway arbitration. Messrs Seddon and Bell (on Sir RobfcStout's behalf) briefly acknowledged the compliment. The Alcoholic Liquors Bill to provide for better inspection of alcoholic liquor sold in licensed premises, Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill, a technical maesure, Registration of People's Claims Bill, to ascertain number of persons in the Colony over 55 years of age and who have been 20 years in tbe colony for the purpose of the Old Age Pensions scheme, were put through all their stages. On the motion of the Premier, tbe following Bills were discharged from the order paper — County Franchise Extension, Local Government, Government Fire Insurance, Constitution Act Amendment, Consolidated Stock Act Amendment Bill, Customs Duties, Reciprocity Act Amendment, Rabbit Proof Wire Netting Fences, Second Ballot, Master and Apprentice, Fair Rent, Juries Amendment, Noxious Weeds, Juvenile Depravity Suppression, Medical Practitioners Registration Act Amendment, Local Boards Constitution Reform, Un claimed Moneys. Mr Cadman brought up the report of the Conference on the Mining Act Amendment Bill. The report of the Conference was agreed to. The Banking Bill was returned from the Legislative Council with amendments. Mr Seddon detailed the several amendments that had been made by the Legislative Council in the Banking Bill. With regard to the new clause dealing with the liquidation of the Colonial Bank accounts, he said it removed the liquidation from under the Companies Act and he must disagree with it. The other portion of the clause amounted to the restoration of what was clause 14 in the original bill with the addition of the proviso given notice of by Mr Bell, providing that before the B list accounts could be taken over by the Bank of New Zealand, the directors of that institution must be unanimous. Clause 14 was reiected by the House, but he believed if Mr Bell's proviso had been attached to it, it would have been retained. However, he must stand by the decision of the House, and would disagree with the action of the Council in reinserting the clauses. He moved that the amendment made by the Legislative Council be disagreed with, and that the managers to represent the House at the Conference be Messrs Seddon, McKenzie, Guinness, Tanner, and Sir Robert Stout. Sir R. Stout declined to act, and Mi Seddon agreed to ths insertion of Mi Bell's name in his stead. Mr Seddon's motion was agreed to on the voices. This Day. On the House resuming at 11 p.m. Mi Seddon said the conference on the Banking Bill were unable to come to any agreement. The House Managers had agreed to the Council's amendment with regard to the appointment of directors, but no decision was arrived at with regard to the disqualification clause. A second and third conference with the managers of the Legislative Council was held with no better results. The Premier expressed his regret that the Bill must now stand over till next session So far as the Government was concerned a grave responsibility rested on them but he would not feel himself justified in making any radical changes. At the same time, as far as the law was con cerned the Government would see thai it was faithfully carried out. The usual debate took place on the third reading of the Appropriation Bill which afterwards passed its final stages] at 5.10, and the House adjourned til 11.30. In reply to Captain Russell Mr Seddon said the elections could not be held within a month. Members could rest satisfied about that, He saw no neces. sity for calling Parliament together before the usual time. At 1.20 the House adjourned till 2.30 when the final adjournment will be made.