GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 53, 31 July 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(Pc? 1 Anglo-Australian Press Telegraph Agency. ) Wellington, July 30. In the Legislative Council, The Hon Mr Acland moved that there be laid on the table a copy of a petition from certain landowners in the Ashburton district relating to the embankment raised in connection with the railway works in progress at the river Ashburton, and also copies of any correspondence or official reports connected therewith. The Hon Dr Pollen said the Government had no objection to produce them. In the House of Representatives to-day,

The Colonial Bank Bill has passed the Lower House. Mr Vogel called attention to the fact that clauses were drawn more after the fashion of unlimited than limited liability companies, and that power was proposed to be given to make advances on securities to bo agreed upon. He thought there should be some limitation of charters to select power not given to other institutions. The committee on the Akaroa election have reported that Mr Montgomery’s election is null and void, but expressed a unanimous opinion that it was entirely through inadvertence on Mr Montgomery’s part, that he was placed in such a position.

In answer to Mr Murray, The Speaker stated there must be a new election. The defeated candidate could not be declared elected.

On Mr Vogel’s motion, a new writ was ordered to issue.

The Speaker said he would take steps to have the election at as early a date as possible.

In reply to Mr W. Kelly, Mr Richardson was understood to say the Government intended to construct a bridge across the Waimata river, near Gisborne, and another one, the cost of construction in part or in whole to be chargeable against the revenue from the confiscated lands. In reply to Mr W. Kelly,

The Premier said he would cause the Post-office at Gisborne to be opened two hours on Sunday, if the steamer called that day, or Saturday night. Mr Thompson asked whether, in view of the system of storm signals, the Government considered it desirable to extend telegraphic communication to the Nugget Lighthouse. The Premier said the establishment of a system of storm signals would not induce the Government to alter the determination come to last session. There were more pressing public works. Mr White asked whether any complaints reached the Government that the truck system was in operation on the public works in Westland.

Mr Richardson said complaints had been made by members, but not by the working men. The engineer reported it was carried on to a considerable extent, but although communications on the matter had passed between the Government and the contractors they could not 'get sufficient information to ■justify going into the matter. The Government had caused an extensive circulation of the clause in the Public Works Act, prohibiting a government contractor engaging in the truck system in any shape. They would take action whenever the matter was fairly brought before them. Mr Richardson said in reply to Mr Studholme, that the construction of the Waimate branch railway would be undertaken as soon as the main line was tolerably advanced. Mr Stafford asked when the railway bridges between Young's Creek and Temuka would be commenced.

Mr Richardson explained that the delay was unavoidable, but he had the assurance of the contractor that it would be completed within the contract time, the sixth of May next.

Mr Bradshaw moved, that considering the rapid extension of manufactures in the colony, it is expedient that the Government should bring in a Factory Bill making regulations for the preservation of the health and the safety of the young of both sexes. The hon. member gave a brief history of the various English factory acts, some of which enabled private houses where youth were employed to be examined. The hon. gentleman read copious extracts to show that the conditions under which thousands of children had been employed at home, could not fail to lead to their mental, moral, and physical degeneracy and decay. If the Legislature did not interfere, manufacturers would, in pursuit of gain, go to most unaccountable lengths in the way they worked youth, and unfortunately unfeeling and unscrupulous parents too often advised and abetted them. In Dunedin, where there are many factories, it was complained that if a parent refused to allow his child to work the hours required by the manufacturers, that child would not be employed at all. The iutervention of the law was required to regulate the hours of labour regarding youth, now that potteries, ropeyards, brickfields, were springing up everywhere. If they did not, they would have soon to contend with those factory difficulties which caused so much trouble in England.

Mr Richardson admitted the existence to a great extent of the evils pointed out, and that they were gradually increasing. Government would be prepared to bring down next session a Bill to meet not only the views of members of the House but employers and employees. He would remind the House that the Inspection of Machinery Bill, now on the order paper, went some way in the direction desired. The hon member deserved the thanks of the House and country for moving in the matter. Mr Brown also bore testimony to the truth of the observation of the hon mover, and the necessity for moving in the matter before vested rights had grown up. The motion was agreed to.

The following Bills were read a first time; Napier Harbor Board Endowment Bill, Manawatu Land Orders Bill, Christchurch Drainage Debentures Bill, New Plymouth Harbor Endowment Bill.

Mr Wakefield, in a very long speech, moved that data be taken with the ultimate view of constructing an alternative line for the Wellington-Masterton railway, for the purpose of securing the cheap transit of heavy goods, which could not be profitably carried on the steep gradient and sharp curves of the authorised line. The hon member quoted voluminous extracts of eminent engineers to show the superiority of easy gradients as compared with steep ones, with the view of showing that it was to the interest of the whole colony that an alternative line should be constructed at some future time.

A division was called for, and the motion rejected by 30 to 6. Wellington, July 31. In the House of Representatives last night, The following Bills were read a second time : —The Invercargill Gas Loan Bill, The Wellington Volunteer Scrip Act Amendment Bill, The Cromwell Waterworks Loan Bill, The Wellington Land Payments and New Plymouth Exchanges Validation Bills. The following Bills were passed:—The Provincial Fencing Laws Empowering Bill, The Wellington Mayors Bill, The Wellington Education Reserves Act Amendment Bill, The Juries Act, 18f*S, Amendment Bill and the Marlborough Waste Lands Act Amendment Bill.

A very long discussion took place in committee on the Otago Waste Lands Act Amendment Bill, on the clause providing for extension of the land to be disposed of on deferred payments, being opposed by Sir F. Dillon Bell, and Sir Gracroft Wilson, and supported by Messrs Macandrew, Reid, and T. L. Shepherd ; the clause was eventually passed. Mr Mervyn moved that a new clause be introduced, placing the Act in the same position as the Act of 1872, by limiting the area taken up on deferred payments to 320 acres.

This was agreed to and the Bill reported with amendments, consisting of twelve new clauses. —The House adjourned at 10.