PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2302, 19 August 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[PBESB ASSOCIATION THLEGBAM.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuubsdat, August 18. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse, The Hon. F. Whitakeb said the Colonial Parliaments could not legislate re the Extradition of Decamped Husbands, and so a Bill for tho purpose was now before the Imperial Parliament, but was hardly likely to pass this session. On the Hon. J. T. Peacock's motion, a Select Committee was appointed to enquire why the Hillsborough Railway Station was removed. The Hon. W. W. Reynolds moved that the members of the Council should bear some relative proportion to tho number of representatives of the various districts of the colony.

After somo debate, tho motion was rejected by 15 to 14.

Division List.—For the motion—Hons. firelt, G. Buckley, P. Buckley, Chamberlain, Frascr, G. Johnston, Lahmann, Merzies, Peacock, Reynolds, Scotland, Waterhouso, Wilson, Wood. Againßt—Hons. Acland, Dignan, Hart, Hendorson, Mantell, Martin, Miller, Nurse, Peter, Pharazyn, Pollen, Robinson, Whitaker, Wigley, Williamson. The Hon. F. Whitakeb moved the second reading of tho Distress for Rant Abolition BilL

There was a debate of somo length. The Hen. G. M. Watebhotjse moved an amendment that the presont law should be amended but not abolished. Tho motion that the Bill be road a second time now was rejeoted by 20 to 8 ; but Mr Waterhouse'a amendment was thon negatived by 15 to 10, and the question as to tho second reading of the Bill will therefore come up again to-morrow. At 5 p.m. the Council adjourned till 7.30. EVENING SITTING. In the Legislative Council last night the Lisensing Bill was further amended in oommittee, and notice given for its further recommittal. Tho Council's amendments in the Gaming and Lotteries Bill were insisted on, and managers appointed to draw up reasons. The Fisheries Bill passed through committee with numerous amendments. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thubbday, August 18. The House met at 2 30 p.m. THIRD BEADING. The Hororata Water Race Bill was read a third time and passed. NOTICE OP MOTION. Sir G. Gbby gave notice of his intention to introduce a Bill authorising any one to practice the law in Courts when duly authorised by either party to a suit. QUESTIONS. Mr Jones put a question, without notice, relative to a bogus petition from unemployed in tho Waitaki district, in connection with which his and his colleague's names had been mentioned. He denied knowing anything about it. Mr SmaiirsKl did the came. The Pp.bhibb said the petition in question came direct to himself, and neither Mr Jones nor Mr Shrimski had, so far as he knew or supposed, any connection therewith. Replying to Mr Bain,

Tho Hon. Major Atkinson said that a measure was in course of preparation providing that penny postage and receipt stamps be assimilated, the same aa in the United Kingdom. Replying to Mr Gisborne The Hob. T. Bice said that, acting on the advice of tho Crown Prosecutor, Government had abandoned the prosecution of Gilmour, stated by the Minister of Justice last year to have been ordered by the Government. Replying to Mr Weßton,

The Hon. T. Dick said he had received through Warden Stratford, an anonymous letter containing reflections upon Mr Elmer, Clerk of the Court at Greymouth, which ho returned without notice. No formal complaint was made against Mr Elmer. Replying to Mr Finn, Tho Hon. T. Dick said that no promise had been made to vest the various lakes or any of them within the electoral district of Wakatipu in the County Council of Lake. Replying to Mr Reid, The Hon. W. Rollbston said that during tho last two years no reward had been offered for the discovery of new goldfields, and the Government knew of no reason why the reward should now be offered. The aid hitherto given for prospooting wes found to be more effective when given for the opening up of tracks, so as to enable otherwise inaccessible country to be explored. Instead of giving direct aid to prospectors Government would propose to furnish it in the shape of diamond drills and other appliances, and a vote for that purpose would be proposed in the supplementary estimates. Replying to Mr Hamlin,

The Hon. T. Dick naid that instead of sending the agricultural analytical ohemist throughout the various distriots to analyse manure in use by agriculturists, the agriculturists wore in the habit of sending samples of their manure to the chemist. This was found to be more convenient, as it was hardly possible to expect that he could carry about with him all his laboratory appliances. During last year a large number of manures had been tested. Government saw no necessity for altering the system. Replying to Mr Wakefield, The Hon. J. Hall said that if the two counties interested were agreeable to abide by the report of a Government engineer, or.e would be instructed to report on the progress, cost, present position, and probable prospects of the repairs of the Bangitata bridge on the iron pile design. Eeplying to Mr ThomsoD, The Hon, J. Hall said that he could not see his way to provide a sum cf money to complete Catlin's River Hue to the main road, North Molyncux. Eeplying to Mr Wakefield,

The Hon. W. Rolleston said that Government did intend making permanent provision for maintenance by looal bodies of botanical gardena in the four chief centres. Domains in the hands of County Councils or Municipalities were provided for by the Act under which these bodies operated. With respect to other domains, provision was required to be made for them, and in any future legislation on the subject that necessity would be attended to. HEW BILLS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time :—Public Health Act, 1876, Amendment; Educai ion Reserves Act Amendment (Hon. T. Dick). SECOND BEADINGB. The following Bills were read a eooond time : Kaikoura Harbor Reclamation j Geraldine Racecourse Reserve, and Southland Agricultural Association Reserve. ONBHUNGA GBAMMAB SCHOOL BILL. In committee, tho Onohunga Grammar School Bill was considered. Mr Hursthousb moved that the Chairman leave the chair, contending that the Bill was impolitic, inasmuoh as the district of Onehunga was accessible to Auckland by rail, whore a Grammar School was established. Ho contended that tho whole system of secondary education wes bad, and that it should bo borno by parents themselves. The House divided. Ayes, 19 ; noes, 29. Consideration of tho Biil was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. Tho House resumed at 7.30 NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Pyeb gave notice that ho would move —" That as tho House had now been in ses;ion for a period of ten weeks, and as the business of the session io just commencing,! ho House should prorogue for a sufficient interval as would enable the Governor to pny his projected visit to the Western Pacifio, and also for enabling members to reoruit their wasted energies of body and mind." yEBSONAL. Mr Andbews read a telegram, recoived from Mr Visiting Justice of the Dunedin Gaol, complaining of certain abatements made by him (Mr Audrows), relative to tho Visiting Justices' duties in Dunedin. He now understood that these statements were groundless, and, as requested by tho telegram, he bi-gged to withdraw them. They wore made on the authority of a Wangauui paper. ANNUAL PABLIAIIBNTS BILL. Dr. Wallis, on being called on to move the second reading of the Annual Parliaments Bill, s -id that he had now ascertained that

I ho House was not yet sufficiently advanced in Liberalism to accept this measure. He would, therefore, withdraw it. Mr Beown objected to the withdrawal, and moved that it be read a second lime.

Mr Swansoit supported annual Parliaments, and Mr Andrews having spoken in favor of tho Bill, Dr. Wallis said he had understood that no one would second his motion. Finding he wbb mistaken, it was incumbent on him to 1 mako some remarks on tho Bill, (he provisions of which he proceeded to arcue were in the direction of that liberal pclicy which, there could bo little doubt, was a tendency of the day. Tho motion for the second reading was lost on a division of 41 to 8, and tho Bill was withdrawn. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Batjndbbb moved the second reading of the Protection of Crops Bill— Carri d. Tho House went into committee on tho Parliamentary Oaths Bill, which passed and wes reported with amendments. Ic was retd a third time and pasood. Mr Reeves moved the sfcond reading of Gold Duty Act Amendmont Bill—Carried. The Houso want into committee on ths Kakanui Harbor Board Borrowing Bill. Mr BnßlirSKr, who was in charge of the Bill, explained that tho object was to enable tho Board to borrow £BOOO. The Hon. J. HALL stated that he had received a statement of the probable income and receipts of the harbor, which were palpably so fallacious thai ho was hound to oppose tho Bill.

Mr Hiebt moved, with the view of throwing out the Bill, that progress be reported.

Mr Wakefield spoko in favour of the work, which ho Baid, with tho cutlay asked for, would make a good serviceable harbor. Mr Pitp argued that they would not get tho money unless the securities wero ample.

Tho Hon. J. Hail insisted that the House was bound to exercise vigilance over these applications, and in this case the security was not sufficient.

Sir G. Gbey said that they should either give these struggling districts local government or else receive their applications for borrowing power with more consideration. Mr HtritST and Mr Weston urged that the colony would really be liable. After further discussion the Bill passed, and was reported with amendments ; and on tho motion for reading a third time, The Hon. J. Hall objected. He characterised tho proposal as>n improvident one, and hoped it would not be sanctioned. The House divided. Ayes, 31 ; uoob, 24 The Bill was read a third time and passed.

Mr Mr/BBAY moved that the amendments made by the Legislative Council on the Drainage Bill be agreed to. Mr DbliAVTouu pointed out imperfections in the measure that would render it inoperative. To remedy these he moved that the consideration of the amendments be delayed for a week. The adjournment was agreed to. Mr Shbimski moved that the Pensions Bill be road a third time. The Hon. J. Ham, said that the Bill w.iuld throw great obstacles in the way of the Government carrying out retrenchment by the amalgamation of officcß, as no retirement on pensions could be made during the recess.

Mr Ftbvkkb objected, as pensioners entering the House would by the Bill be debarred from receiving honorarium. This would be unfair, and might deprive the country of the services of men whoso experience would bo valuable. The Hon. W. BOLMffSTOjr did not think that the Bill as it stood was satisfactory, and he believed that it would have to be amended at an early date. Mr Shbbhan pointed cu v , that under the Bailway Construction Act oompanies would have to wait over the recets until Parliament met, before their claims could be finally agreed to. Ho did not see how civil servants could delay their claims. In a similar way it was no more a hardship on the public servant than the other case would be to the public Mr Waxbfibld moved that the Bill be recommitted to reconsider clause 6.

The Hon. Major Atkinson Baid that he had good legal authority for saying that the Bill was informal, and would not accomplish its object. Sir Gk Gtbhv complained that it was a most improper thing to make a statement of that kind and not show wherein it was, as alleged, informal. The motion for recommittal was carried. In committee Mr Whitakjib moved an addition exempting the honorarium from being deemed Balary within the meaning of the Bill.

Tho committee divided—Ayefl, 36 ; Noes, 16. The Bill was reported as amended, read a third time, and passed.

Mr Tole moved the re committal of the Adoption of Children's Bill to consider clauses 5,7, 9, and 10. Mr J. B. Fisher objected to the Bill, and moved that the Ohairman leave the chair.

Tho House divided—Ayes, 17 ; noes, 39. Mr Ptkb pointed out that two illegitimate children, brother and sister, being adopted by different persons would be legitimatised, ar.d in that case they might intermarry. He moved that progress be reported to give time for further consideration. Negatived on the voices.

The Bill was passed and reported with amendments, and tho amendments ordered to be considered this day week. Mr Db LATrrotra moved the second reading of the Married Women's Property Protection Bill.

The motion was carried, and tho Bill ordered to bo committed this day week. On the motion for going into committee on the Gold Abolition Bill. The Hon. W. Bollebton said that a feeling prevailed that the deficiency incurred by the passing of this B ; ll would be made up by the Government out of some other fund. He oautioned them against entertaining an opinion of that kind, adding that this duty was the best moa':a that could bo adopted for raising the necessary funds for goldfields' roads, &o. Ho wished it to be clearly understood that Government did not propose to make up the deficiency out of any other funds. Mr Weston intimated that be should not reßt until he got a corresponding tax levied on wool if this taxation en gold was not removed. The Hon. J. Hai/l contended that this tsx was the most convenient way of raising that contribution. Every locality hud a right to contribute. Ho hoped they would not forego that contribution until some other means hud been devised for supplanting it. Mr GISBOENB pointed out that while the contribution made by other districts had been supplemented by £ for £, this had not been tho case in the goldfields' contribution. To that extent the goldfields had been dealt with exceptionally and unjuetly. Mr Shbehan argued that the miner was much heavier taxed than other classes, while at the Bime time the miner created much more employment than the landholder. The tax was unjust and unfair. He believed that if this abolition was granted applications would be made for assistance for roads, &c. in another way, and Government would be entitled to treat such applicatior.3 favorably. It would not be unfair to ask that tho public fir.anc:s should be redistributed aud the goldfields get a full share. There was no reaßon why there should be 83paraio treatment. Ho thought it would bs wise to make the Bill permissive to local bodies. The circumstances of the Northern and Southern goldfields were different, and it should be left to the former to say whether or net tho Bill would suit their purposes. la committee he would move in that direction. GOLD DUT? ABOLITION BILIi The motion for going into committee on the Gold Duty Abolition Bill was agreed to. In committee, Mr Sbddon, who wob in chargs of the Biil, moved the amendment as agreed to by the gold fields corrmitteo — "That the duty rhou'd altogether cease from tho let January, 1883 (it being reduced in the meantime as proposed in tho original Bill)." After considerable discussion, tho motion to report progress was lost by 28 to 15. Mr RbbteS moved as an amendment—- " That the duly cease from tho Ist January, 1*82." On division, Mr S. ddon'a proposal fcr 18S3 was carried by 2G to 10. Mr Shebiian proposed a new elr.usr, leaving the abolition optional to local bodies. This clause was carried by 22 to 18, ai d it was added to the Bill on divisoin by 32 to 8. Tho Bill was then reported with amendments, and at 3.20 a.m. the House adjourned until 7.30 this evening.