PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1848, 31 August 1906, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

I'UKSS ASSOCIATION’ Wellington, last night. Thi Council mot at 2 30 p m. After tho formal opening an ndj u'n UK nt was ma do to proseut tho Address-in Reply to tho Governor. DIVINITY DEGREES.

Upon reassembling, tho adjourned defca.o on iho second reading of Gir Maurico ORorku’s Divinity Degrees Bill vvasio-umi’d by the Hon. Colonel liltThe University Act, lie said, exo ruled theology from the subjects lor vvhic.i a degree ur'gbt bo gianted, and "has the Hill a;kcd for would l-o no iniorfern-co with Iho principles of our national system

ef education. The lion. Mi Roll thought it would no a grave m’s'oko to pass this Bill, and as i, was bad i:i principle, he muvod that the Bel ho road a s.ooud timo that day s x months

Hon. Mr Killy opposed the measure. Hon Mr Scotland said tho law had been devi-fd so as so proven! obtrusion of Ihe odium ihoologioatn It was a vviso provision, and ho could not see his way to support the Bill. Sir Maurice O’Ro ko said the Bill was net entirely his It had the support of tiro S.-nate of ihe University, lie preferred that lion, members would vote Becoming to their oonsoiouco, and they would show that they supported religion radur than materialism, which set in id to bo becoming popular in this colony. The Bill was struck out by 10 to 7. TRAINING ISHII’S.

Hod. Colonel Pitt rnovrd tho second rend of the Training Ships Bill to provide for the establishment of training ships, and it provides that the Governor may deolaro any eh p under the cant'ol of Government to be a training ship under tho Act, the other provisions being of a machinery chaiaoter which the Minister expiainsd in detail. Ho was satisfied tho movement would bo a succors', and that ovontually there would bo vessels stationed at tho ohitf ports. Hon. Mr B lillir, in supporting tho Bill, considered that the money which would be expended upon i! could be put to bett: use for training cf boys Ho feared that tho oost would run to JG14.000 or £15,000 a year. Hon. Mr Goorgo thought Government were taking a step in she right direction, and ho was g'ad to know that the ship was not to be turned into a reformatory. He did not thick fees should be takon fiom boys willing to join the ship. Hon. T. Kelly thought fees ought not to be eba-ged. Hon. Mr Bolt thought the only way to make eeafariog men was to put tho youths in'o sailing ships. Hod, Mr Bsebau edppoited the Bill. Hou. Mr Jenklnscn heped that tbe work the boys would be called upon to do would be such as wo rid fit them for their maturer year?. The Hon the Minister, in his reply, said he was within tho matk wbou ho said tho cost of a ship would not bo more than £20,000 or £25,000 per year. Ho thought it might be well to eliminate the prevision for payment of fees. Toe seoond reading was oarried on Ilia voices. The Council rose at 4 20 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

LIBEL BILL. Yesterday, replying to Me Baums, the Premier said the question of granting to the press cf Now Z.aland the earns freedom and protection as is enjoyed in England and other parts of tho Empiro is of very great importance, and cannot be dealt with this session. AFTERNOON SITTING, The House met at 2 30 p.m. FIRST READINGS, The following Bids wore road a first time: Vincont and Maniototo Hospital District Bill, Waimate North Oouaty (Mr Major), Jaris3 Act Amendment The latter proposes payment to juryman in civil cases, viz , 81 far over four hours’ service on a jury, and 4s for anything less.

RECIPROCITY WITH THE COMMONWEALTH. Tbo Preenin'rr a 1 tho fcrcbfcy eigae-d by tbo late Premier of New Zeaiund and ihe Premier of the Commonwealth, and also tbe following resolution : "Resolved (1) that, pending consideration by Pirli-m ni of the agnomen oalered in So on tbe 8:b day of June, 1906, by tbn Government! of New Z aland and tbe Commonwealth of Austra'ia, to promote intcrc ureo between their respective countries, the duties and oxemp'.ions BpecfLd in that agreement and hereinafter set foitb shall bo respectively im-pos-d at cl guaranteed in respoot of tbe articles specified, i- 2. That tbe said dut : oi Bbad be levied, collected, and paid on and after tho dato of this resolution, to. wit, tbo 30th day of August, 1906. “B, That tho exemptions and reductions bo-eby authorised, though provisionally takit g eff ct on and after the aforesaid date, shall not be actually allowed unless and until the said agreement is ratified and brought into operation pursuant to statute, but in tho mointime duties heretofore chargeable ehall contioue to bo levied-and paid sublet to refund or adjustment when tuoh statute is pas-ed. “4. Shall authorise that duties imposed by this resolution on any specified articles shall bo deemsd to be in substitution for duties impoeod on tbo saquo articles by tha Customs Acts, including " Thn Preferential and Rcc'procal Treaty Act, 1903,” in the oaso of artie'es to which that Act Bpplice, aod accordingly tho preferential duty imposed by seebon 2 of that Act shall not be payable in add.tion to tho duty imposed by this resolution. i g The dutiee oDd exemptions imposed and granted respectively by this reFolu tion are as follows : Tho rates mentioned in oolumo A applying to articles the pro duet or manufacture of tho said Common wt alth, and these mentioced in column B tr articles the product or miDufaoture oi any country other than the said Common weal h. |Tbe list as officially suppled is hero repeated, and d'serfpancies are observable in s:ma itrms, so that it will bp Bafer to await tho efiioial priotrdoopy btfo e ao oepting the items in detai'.j The Premier explained that the treaty was the work of bis lata chief, 7 who bad b gned it two d .ys beforo bis death, lie regroited much that he was nit in possession of the info.raaticn which had guided bis distinguished predecessor and the statesmen of the OcmmonvvraUh to their

cot.o!u!i ns, and therefore ho was riot to o position to fully explain all the dit-iis of tho treaty to the House, Ail he could do waa to explain that the uiual course was beir.R fullowcd io tbo matter of the tariff acra’-gornents ilßcUd, lo: which there we ,o obvous reui'onp. iu must be dietiootly understood, howovsr, that the new | provisions a-o only temporary, their ortrblishmenfc boirg inteedtd to protect all iTtoreßta concerned until tho passing of an Act by tho Legislature, computing tho motion or otherwise. After the passing of that Act all payments mods under tho Semponry arrangement would be adjusted according to the terma of tbo Aot. He toclc tho opportunity to explain at the ,ama time that as fao Act would contain provision for d Herontiul tarifl rates it would have to be riserved for tho Royal 1 assent, and it would bo necessity for the proteo’ion of a 1 intsris.s and tbo saving of all rights to pass an Ac! extending the = ocpo of tho temportry dut ea until tbe Bonification of the Royal pleasure. Haviog referred to the foimer negotiations with Australia for reciprocity arrangements tho Prtmior read a table showing tbo fiuanotal

position of ihe various items BUoeted by the treaty cn calculations based on tho tariff results of 1905. 1 This table will bo fouud alter the treaty oni its schedule.] Coutiouicg, tho Prtmior pointed out that the great fea'uro of tho tahlo was tbo prominsut outstanding position occupied by tbo items sugar, with a value of £185,000. If tbo House oboso to rtgud ibis amount a? efformg a balanos for the other eido of the treaty it might do so. Mr Hornsby aekod what was to become

of oar iuductry. Tae Premier said that was another ma ttar. He did not, of course, ignore the Beriouaness of tho queatioo, but ho was not

there to dismiss tho matter at that Btago. Tho position indicated, only to his profound rrgrot, tho absenoo of tho information whioh had guided tho signatures in this matter. Thoy wero all sufforors for tho want of tho brain that had ceased to throb, but they could not thovoforo shiik tho responsibility dovohtog ot) them. It I behoved them to oxnicisn that responsibility by extending tho utmost caro and consideration upon tho tcoaty. In that view ho would at tho proper time move tho roforenco of tho troaty to tho Industries and Coiunu roe Committeo of tho House. Tho broad principle of tho expansion of trade—a thing on which all were ugcood should ho their guide. Mr Massey welcomed tho pt oposal to si for tho treaty to the canmittco n urird, as he had not fully grasped its bearings himself. Ho r.groed that tho prominent position of sugar was the great feature of the fntiff. adding that though not hiiu-o f in favor of a highly protoetivo duty, ho would be no ps>ty to tho it jury of any large business employing a oonsidorablo aumber of hands

Tils' Premier agreed that the mutter roquirod ilio moat tfco.ough investigation iu thoir power. After going into Ooramiiteo of Ways unci Moans, ami iloaliog with tho mittar, the Lluuso passed tho resolution, and on the motion of tho Premier the treaty was reforred to tho Industries and Ci’minciCti Committee, tho Ociuurttoo to report in a week

M MIG BAT LON RESTRICTION ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

Mr Sidey moved tho Beoond reading of this B 11, which proposes to prohibit the entry into tho oolouy within three years of tho expiration of their sentences of all persons convicted auywhore of crimes which in the colony involve poualtios between one year’s imprisonment and death. He was surprised that no Bill of tho kind had been brought down by the Government to cope with tho danger of tho increased criminal immigration noticed in llio i’elieo Department report, aud ho insisted on the urgent ceoessity for passing tho Bill. Tho Minister of JusUce thought tho Bill would be too drastic towards persons net cor Grnr( d criminals. Mr Wilferd opposed the Bill, and Mr ■' i o'ay sjpported it. The Bi.l was road a seoond time. Ayes, -15 ; Noes, 7. FIRE BRIGADES’ BILL.

Tho Native Minister moved the second reading of this Bill, explaining that it was iD wo;t lO'pects tho same as tho Bill ho had introduced last year, and said that tho iOid for its passage was as strong as ever,

Mr Aitkeu obj oied to interference t f the Bill with the four centres, where tbs arrangements for dealing with Sro were tho best in the colony The House adj lurood at 5.30,

DIFFERENTIAL RITES,

Returns showing tho less of revenue which will arise to each oouutry as a result of ibs differential rates, tho aotuul exports to Australia from New Zißbnd, and the actual exports to New Zsaland from Australia, is shown iu their respeotive exports (returns for 1905 is the basis of this return)

Exported from Australia lo New Zealand, Articles and Present Pro. Loss qusntiiy val £ rate rate Aus, Aerated waters, 272 kz ... 40 free free £3 Baoou an 1 bam, 153 cwt ... 540 311 b3l lb nil But or, 4265awt 18,768 3d lb 3d lb nil Cheese, 1900 cwt 5,137 3Jib 3i lb nil Oandlcq nil ... ml 1d lb Id lb nil Eggs, 1201.-z... 11 6Jdz 2Hdz £2 Fish (fresh) 10,002-xwt ... 14,664 Id lb free £-4667 0y5ter5.303,771 doz 2.539 2 owt free £BOO

Apples, pears, grapes,4B9!bs 7 2/ 2/10 nil Fruit?, dried raisin?, nil ... nil 311 b free nil Currants, nil ... nil 2d lb free nil Cj ain, barley 41,703b5Ms 10,341 J/dcen ],3c0n260 Bia's and peas 18312 ... 4,306 1/0 ceo 1/3oen Maize, 456 ... 80 1/6 3/3 - Bran, pollard, sharps, 597 tons 2143 Is 91 £lO7 Flour, nil ~. Wheat, Sbshla 1 J/6oenl/cen Oatmeal,wheatmeal, roiled oats, 151 oen —79.41 b £24 Hay aud choff, 60 ton? ... 213 1/cwt free £6O Hops, 8032 ewt 1,836 6J lb 6d lb Lids-, ed, 1331 centals ... 746 2/a an free £l3B Linked, ... 4/can free Linsoi-d, cake, ml

Ma t, nil ... —6/ 6/ oen Pius rved mi k, 676 897 1b?... 14.142 11 lb Id lb Oiive oil, nil ... 1 ;4gsl Dse — • Eucalyptus, nil Onions, 7830 cwt 3,122 1/owtl/owi Potatoes,29 ons 11 cwt cwt Soup.peilumed, nil - 3d lb 311 b Sugar, re flood aud unrefiued 63,9171bs ... 506 6/cwt 6/awt Wine, nil ... Timber, sswd, undressed,nil... Timber, undressed Oregon, in eiz s of 12ia by 6 and over, nil... 61 190 61 100 s.f. Timber, undressed, new in eiz is of 12in by Cj and over, ml ... 1/ 100 1/ 100 s.f. Timber, undrissid, new in eiz is, of les3 th sn 1A■ nby 6in iup feet, 20,196, value £93 ... 1,6100 1/6 100 j f Timber, sawn, dressed, 173,572 sup ft, valus £1595 3/ 100 8/ 100 a,f

Expotted to New Zsalan d frem Australia Articles and Present Pro, Loss quantity val £ iato rats NZ_ Aerated waters, nil 243 20pc free £4B Bacon and ham 90. bs ... 3 Hlb 211 b Butter, 439.bs 21 20po 20po Cheese, ml ... - Candhs 241bs 1 Id lb Id lb Egg*, 3950' dez 411 20pc dot? £1 Fisb, freßb, 1414138 ... 107 20pe free £2l Oysters, oil ... Apples, pears, giopce, ne t ine’uded 31,592 centals ... 12 953 3,1 dlb -id Id lb (vary) (vary) £7OO

Fruits, third raiains.39,4oo lbs 411 1 ilb free ,£164 Curran'S, nil ... (Not; —Apples id lb from lbb Ju'y to I oUt December, 1 i rest of year, and J J lb from 'l l h July to Hist March, Id rest of year.) Gnin, barley, 837 eoulaie... 371 2/ con l/6ctn£2o Beans and pc-a3, 1137 cental... 597 93 Ceu 1/3 Maze, 950 ... ‘247 9-1 1/3 ■ — Bran, pollard, sharps, 1195 285 20po 9docndEl2 F.our, 8703 ... 3,389 1; C3n free £‘43B I Wbeat. S 3 ... 34 94 9doeu Oa'uaeal, wheat-

mral, ruled oats, 27,801'b 294 1/ can 1/ ~ Hay and cba£f, 2843 cwt ... 474 20stcn free 142 | flops, nil ... Gd lb Linseed, nil ... 2iton free Linseed meal, i nil > Linseed cake, 1 697 cental ... 171 20pc free 34 i MuL, nil ... —2/ cen 2, cen o Preserved milk, o nil

Olive oils, 184 gal. ... 1 6'3glblk 15pc bt 8 Eucalyptus, 1867 ... Onions, 1777 | owt 6616 Xacwtlsowt I Potatoes, 37,847 owt ... 14.629 20po 20pc Soip.perfcmed 8799'.b ... 387 25p0 25p0 : Sugar, refined s anduurefined t 123305vl ... 1,079 id lb free £299

I (Note—Sugar, on whioh duty nmouut of £185,000 was oollootod in 1005, was imported from Fij'.) \Vino,43,9logls 15,193 5/gal 4/gal 2197 Timber, sawn, undressed, 900 sup foot, 00:'t by 107 ft ... 2/ ICO 2/ 100 s.f. Timbor, undressed, Oregou, iu sizes of 12ft by Oft aud ovor, Timber, undressed, now, in sizes of 12iu by Gin and ovor, nil ... Timbor, undressed, now, in sizes of loss thau 1 Bin by Gin, nil ... Timbor, sawn, dressed, 72,899 sop foot, 1220 4/ 100 8/100 s.f

EVENING SITTING. ' 9'ho House roFiimnl at 7.30. Mr Ai koi), continuing bis speech nil the Fire Brigiidi s U 11, explained that though ho hud pcititad cut anomalies, ho likid iho Bill gonrriiily. Mr Munilrr thought tho eui.illor towns ought to have more oou-iderntion thau tho four centres, which hs\o more money. Mr Witty rosorvod Ills orilicism for tho committee stage. Mr K cld said he was suio tho Bill had the unanimous support of tho oountiy. Mr Wilfurd liked tho Bill for making the fire companies pay, Mr Davy feared tho Bill would destroy tho volunteer tiro brigades. Mr Barber wo’cotued tho Bill as a substantial relief to local rates, Mr Fiatman supported the Bill.

Tho Hon. McGowan withdrew Ilia opposition in oonstquenco of tho amendments mado. Tho Hon. Mr Carroll ropliod, and tho Bill was read a second timo on tbo voioes OPIUM PROHIBITION ACT AMEND. MENT BILL.

On tho motionjof Iho Hon. Mr Millar this Bill was road a seoond thin ou tho voices.

JUVENILE OFFENDERS BILL. Mr Baumo continued tho dobato on Iho seoond loading of this Bill. HOROWHENUA BLOCK AMENDMENT BILL.

This was, on tho motion of tho Nativo Ministor, after disc-elision, rood a second time aod refemd to tho Nativo Affrirs Committee. MAORI LAND CLMMS ADJUSTMENT AND LAND AMENDMENT BILL.

This Bill was described by tho Nativo Minister as a 11 Washing Bill ” in connection wiih tho Codings of the Nativo Affairs Oimmittee. It was read a second timo, and tho Bill was referred to tho Native Affairs Committee. TRADE MONOPOLIES PREVENTION BILL. This was read a second timo pro forma and referred to the Commeroo Ccmmitteo,