House of Representatives.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 162, 20 July 1901, Page 1

House of Representatives.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) Wellington, last night. The House met at 10.30 a.m. Mr B. Thomson called the attention o:

the Government to the recent decision of the Appeal Court in regard to defamatory libel, and asked what they proposed to do in the matter.

Mr Seddon replied that the Government looked upon the matter as a most serious one, and recognised the necessity of immediately' passing legislation to meet the situation. The Land for Settlement Act Amendment Bill and Government Advances to Settlers Bill were introduced and read a first time. On ihe motion that the amendments made in committee in the Referendum Bill bo adopted, Mr Pirani movod an amendment that the Bill be recommended for the purpose of considering a new clause to provide that polling on questions referred to a referendum bo conducted through the post. Mr Seddon opposed the proposal on the ground that it would bo an interference with the secrecy of the ballot. A long debate ensued. Several speakers contended that the

Referendum Bill was not the proper place for Mr Pirani’s suggested amendment, and

that it should be inserted In the Electoral Act. Eventually the amendment was rejected by 44 to 13, and tbo amendments mado in the Bill in committee agreed to on tho voices. The Bill then passod final stages.

The Police Offences Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed, and tho House rose at 12.45 p.m. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House resumed at 2.30 p.m. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Land for Settlement Act Amendment Bill. Ho said there was urgent necessity for the immediate passago of this Bill, as negotiations which were proceeding under the Act were liable to bo evaded by tho transfer of the property. Clause 6 was intended to provont evasion of tho Act, and had been designed to meet cases which had arisen under the Bill. The Land Purchaso Board was empowered, in leasing the land, to give preference to niarried men with families, provided they wore landless.

Capt. Russell agreed that this was principally a technical measure, and ho saw no reason to oppose the second reading.

In the debate which followed several members urged that tho land for settlement policy should be carried out more vigorously. Tho debate was interrupted by tho 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. Tho House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Tho debate on tho second reading of the Land for Settlement Act Amendment Bill was continued throughout the evening, and had not concluded when tho House rose at 10.30 p.m.