GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2554, 15 June 1882, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wbdkesday, Juke 14. pibst ebadinoß. The Corrupt Practices Indemnity Bill (Hun. Mr Pharazyn), and the Naturalised Persons Children Bill (Hon. Mr Whitaker) were read a first time. thibd headings. The Corrupt Praotioss Prevention Act, 1881, Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. BKTUSNS. The Hon, Mr OHAMBEBiiAnr moved for a return, which was ordered, of all analysts appointed, the number of analyses, and the amount, of fines under the Adulteration Prevention Act, 1880. He said from his own observations be knew that the Aot was not being enforced, especially against bakers, who adulterated largely with alum. THE DIME IK SCHOOLS. The Hon. Mr Menzibs moved the seoond reading of the Education Act Amendment Bill, to provide for the reading of the Bible in sohools. The Hodb. Mr Oliver, Captain Fraser, Mr Johnston, Sir G. Whitmore, Mr Scotland, and Mr Lahmann opposed the Bill, the passage of whioh they oontonded would destroy the national system of education. The Bill was thrown out by eleven votes to ten. For the Bill—Messrs Baillie, Chamberlain, Holmes, Menzies, Miller, Nurse, Pharazyn, Riohmond, Williams, Wilson. Against—Messrs P. A. Buckley, Fraser, Johnston, Lahmann, Oliver, Pollen, Scotland, Whitmore, Whitaker, Williamson, Wood. WEST COAST PROCLAMATION. On Mr Manteli/s motion, the Council passed a resolution requesting tha Government to lay on the table all papers in connection with the West Coast Proclamation issued in October last. THE GOVEBNOR'S DESPATCHES. A further motion of Mr Mantblt/s for the production of further despatches between the Governor mi the Secretary of State was negatived MABBIED WOMEN'S PROPERTY BILL. The Bill was recommitted and further amended. The Council rose at 4 50. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, Junh 14. The House met at 2 30. SECOND BEADING-. The Union Bank of Australia (Limited) Bill was read a Bcoond time. QUESTIONS. Beplying to Mr Cadman, The Hon. Mr Bollbston said the Warden had instructions to use his own disoretion rs to supplying information required by the Thames County Ohairman respecting miners' rights and rents which have aocrued in Thames and Ohinemuri distriots. Replying to Mr Feldwiok, The Hon. Mr Dick said that a prosecution would be instituted under section 196 of the Shipping and Seamens Aot, 1878, for the overcrowding of steamers visiting H.M.S. Nelson on Sunday last. Replying to Mr J. W. Thomson, The Hon. Mr Dick said the Babbit Nuisance Act of last session was now being administered by the Government, and he believed that previous defects in the application of the Act would in that way be obviated. Replying to Mr Daniel, The Hon. Mr Bolleston said Professor Ulrich had already reported on the Longwood goldfields, and if upon enquiry it ap peared desirable thafb further report should be made, it would be ordered.

Replying to Mr Fish, The Hon. Mr Johnston admitted that the rolling stook and passenger accommodation on the Dunedin and Invorcurgill, and on the Dunedin and Hoagiel lines, wero defective. Orders bad been issued for fresh supplies, and in that way the defect would be removed.

Replying to Mr Fish, The Hon. Mr Dice said ho was not aware of the Supreme Court libraries having been refused a gratuitous supply of " Hansard " and Parliamentary papers. These had been all along supplied on application being made, free of oharge. Replying to Mr Fish, The Hon. Mr Johnston said that of the fifteen hours certain men were alleged to have been working on trains running to and from Dunedin and Clinton, they had been five hours off duty during the time the train remained in Dunedin. If men worked in the trains longer than ten hours per day they were paid overtime at the rate of one and one quarter of the ordinary pay. The guards only worked five days out of six, and did not get any overtime. Replying to Mr Hutchison, The Hon. Mr Bbyob said notice had been given to the Natives assembling at Parihaka that if they assembled contrary to the proclamation of dispersion their huts would be pulled down. In oontravention of that proclamation they did assemble, and some of the houses were pulled down. If Te Whiti'e house was amongst the number it was a good thing. It was a most unwholesome dwelling. His wife and family could have no difficulty in finding other accommodation. Replying to Mr MoDonald, The Hon. Mr Johnston said the Government was not prepared to say that a sum of money would be provided for the construction of a bridge over tho Turanganui river at Qieboree, but inquiry as to the necessity therefor would be instituted. BILM. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time—To amend tho Nelson College Act, 185 S (Mr Shepherd) ; to amend 'costs in certain", cases in Private Bills (Mr Hamlin) ; Mining for o'-her Minerals than Gold (Mr Shepherd) ; to amend the Land Aot, 1877 (Hon. Mr Rol!e3ton) ; Middle Island Native Villages Control and Regulation (Mr Titiaron) ; to amend the Licensing Aot, 1881 (Mr Sutter.) motions. The following motions were put and oarried:—Return of sums paid by the Government during the last financial year connected with sittings of Assessment Courts under tho Rating Aot (Mr Sutton); copies of affidavits on which the application for a ohange of venue for the trial of Te Whiti and Tohu was made to and granted by the Supreme Court (Mr Hutchison) ; list of rents reoeived by the Commissioner for native reserves of the Middle Island, showing tho amounts paid to Native owners and the cipenditura in connection with the said reserves (Mr Taiaroa); return of fines, feee, and subscriptions from private individuals Bnd grants from the publio funds of the colony paid to several acclimatisation societies in New Zaaland since tho passing of Animals Protection Act, 1880 (Mr O'Callsghan) ; return showing the total amount of fees received under the Inspection of Machinery Aot, together with tho total expenditure incurred under the Act (Mr Lovestam) ; list of names of all destitute Natives receiving aid from the Government in the Middle Island (Mr Taiaroa). MAEITIICa TBAINING. Mr Danibl moved " That it is of the utmost importance that facilities should be offered to the rising generation of the cjlony to bo trained to maritime pursuits, and that with this view the Government should endeavor to obtain from tho Home Government a vessel suitable for the purpose of a training ship." The Hon. Mr Dick admitted the importance of the objeot aimed at. He thought, howevor, the motion as it read was prematura, and moved as an amendment " That the Government be instruoted to make inquiries of the Home Government as to a suitable vessel for the purpose, the cost of maintaining the same, and likewise to obtain information as to the number of boys likely to avail themselves of such a training." Messrs Maoandbbw and Shbbhan supported the motion as originally brought down, considering that the amendment practioally amounted to a shelving the whole question. The litter thought that a suitable vessel could be got in the oolony, and if not it would only be a suitable encouragement to the enterprise of the place to get one built in New Zealand. After further debate the House divided on the original motion. Ayes, 41; noes, 29. The amendment was negatived. Mr Connoixt did not think they required the elaborate vessel indicated by the motion. Ha moved as a further amendment the omission of the words "Home Government." He believed they would get a vessel in the

ojlony suitable for the purposes. Mr Turhbttili supported the original motion, and twitted the Government with having locked up the land against the rising

generation, and also lrith attemptirg to lock up the sea. Mr Sutton admitted the poliey of the motion, but contended that there was no reason why they should not provide their own ■hip, and have it built in the oolony, As the question of providiag a ship had been affirmed, the only question was, by whom should the ship be proyided. Communications with the Home Government had already taken place on the subjeot, and they went to show that there wss very little likelihood of getting a suitable vessel from that quarter, either as a gift or as a pnrohaie. In these circumstances it was important the hands of the Government should not be trammelled, and that they should be left free to provide a ship as best they could find it. That was the amendment aimed at.

Mr Fbbstts suggested that the Government should be asked to provide two or three suitable sohooners. That was the class of vessel best adapted at present for developing tho maritime trade.

Mr Maoanbbbtt thought that the Govern, ment had no real desire to give efieot to the proposal. He, therefore, thought it advisable that they should not allow the original motion to be altered.

Mr Danibl intimated he was prepared to acoept the amendment proposed by Mr Connolly. The motion, as amended, was then pissed.

Mr FeaooCjc moved a further addition—- " That the naval training ship be replaced at Kohimarama, and that a vessel of a similar size be providod for other ports of the colony." The House divided.

Ayes, 14 ; noes, 48. Mr Tolb suggested a Seleot Committee of ten members should be appointed to obtain as much information as possible on the subject. The proposal was not pressed, the Speaker intimating that it should form a separate motion.

The original motion, aB amended by Mr Connolly, was then put and passed.

THE COBBTTPT PRACTICES EIEIj.

A message was received from the Legislative Oouccil, announcing that the Corrupt Practices Act Amendment Bill had passed with amendment.

In reply to a question, The Hon. Mr Bqllbstoit stated the amendments were perfeotly formal, and did not alter the Bill on its merits.

The amendments were agreed to. A writ for the oleotion of a member for Stanmore was ordered to be issued.

WASTE LANDS BOABDS. Sir Gbokqk Gbbt gave notice of a Bill to make the members of Waste Lands Boards elective.

The Home adjourned at 5.80. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. THE IBKBION3 Bill.

Mr Shbihski moved the second reading of the Pensions Bill. He explained that the Bill was in many reipeots similar to one introduced last session, and which was so ohanged in the Legislative Council that the measure eventually dropped. The part then objeoted to was now omitted. He disclaimed all intention of interfering with just rights, but he strongly objeoted to the way pensions had been granted in the past. The Hon. Mr Bolleston felt somewhat strongly upon the Bill. In 1831 the subject was considered, and a stop put to pensions. That being the oase no new rights were accruing. They were only asked to deal with existing rights, and not lights that oould possibly aocrue. They had perhaps granted pensions in the past on grounds whioh could not be considered valid, and in some instances there were groundß to believe that the inter • tion of the Legislature had been unfairly ii - terpreted. Still these rights had aoorued, and they ought to tear that in mind and respect them. He had been a civil servant, and perhaps he was not approaching the question in a wholly impartial frame of mind. Good public officers were a great boon to a publio service, and he was sorry to see the odium imported into this colony which attached itself to the civil servioe. It was necessary for the good of the State that they should be placed in a position of comparative independenoo. They had all the institutions of a free and independent country, and he asked them not to throw any slur on or otherwise lower its publio servioe. They were dealing with men who had not direct representation in Parliament, and such being the oase he asked them to give the matter their serious consideration. He thought it should be referred to a Select Committee, so that those affected by it might be heard in their own defence. Critioising the Bill, he said it was loosely framed. Oneprinoiple of the Bill was a most objeotionable one. It affirmed the principle of the body that made the law being also its administrator. It practically said that the House should take the administration into its own hands, and that way may be implied a want of confidence in the existing administration. Mr Montgosteby said the question was as to whether or net this House should be enabled to take cognisance of the granting of pensions. He did not look upon the Bill as retrospective. With regard to the question raised about the administration, the fact was that Government had granted some of these pensions unjustly. Such being the case the question of administration was completely answered. All that was aimed at was to provent the Government doing what had beta already done—viz., granting pensions unjustly. He would therefore support the Bill. Mr Shebhan said the Bill did not involve a question of party, It WaS idle talk to S&y that *' uey -were taking the administration out of the hands of Government. They were there to advise the Government, and that was all the Bill asked them to da. If a pension was settled in a fair and legal manner, he would scorn to do aught that veuld defeat the pension, but that, however, had not been the case. They found pensions given in defiance of either law or equity, and that was what the Bill would put an end to. He deniod that civil servants were not represented in Parliament. They wore an over-represented body. Why should thoy be heard at the bar of the House T _ The evil was diminishing, but it was not diminishing by anything the civil servants did. Why, he asked, should these men have direct representation ? He was told by the Hon. Mr Bolleston that they could take no part in politics. The fact was they oould do so. As a matter of fact they not only took part in politics, but a moßt active part. He did not want to harp on the past, but the fact was pensions had been given most improperly in the past. That the Bill waß designed to protect civil servants from an arbitrary power whioh existed in the hands of successive Governments. The motion was carried on the voioes. PBOTEOTION OF TBLBGBAMS BILL.

Mr Fbldwick moved the second reading of the Protection of Telegrams Bill. It was a transcript of an Aot in force in South Australia sinoe 1863. The breach of this law thoie was a misdomeanor. Here all that wae asked was a pecuniary penalty. These talegrama wore got by the press at a groat expense, equal to £3500 par annum. No pretection was asked for New Zealand telegrams, but only for the cablegrams. There were some papers in the colony which did not subscribe, and it was to prevent those papors pirating cablegrams the Bill was framed. These cablegrams coat about Id per word to each paper besides other agenoy charges. Then as the law stood any dishonest persons could send to non-subscribing papers at the rate of 6d per 100 words. The Bill was a measure only conceived in the interests of justice and fair play. Mr Pbtbie contended that it interfered

with the liberty of the press. It was true that the smaller papers could join the Agenoy, but then there were exorbitant fees to be paid before they oould do so. That was a monopoly which they should be very careful of. The Dramatic Copyright Bill was referred to as an evil of the class to whioh the proposed Bill belonged. Again, not only could they not copy cablegrams, but the Eiil also asked that they should be debarred from commenting upon them. He bore testimony to the efficiency of the smaller papers. The Bill would deal very harshly with these papers. Mr Joyce also thought that an attempt was being made to strengthen an association already too strong and Buffioiently well protected. He would like to have seen a measure introduced to put an end to dishonest journalism, so that a man would be bound to j>pt his name to whatever he wrote. Mr Bbackbn thought the Bill a reasonable one and a modest request. A number of newspaper proprietors banded together to get news from a distance at large cost, and they were not to be protected from the dishonesty of other papers who could not, or would not, pay for the aame news. He hoped the honesty of the Home would concede suoh a reasonable rsfuestu

Mr Hutchison opposed the Bill. He scouted the idea of those fragmentary item* of news that came in the name of cablegrams being proteotsd. If he purchased m newspaper he contended that its content* b&ionged to him. The real purpose was to» orush out the smaller class of newspapers. It was an abuse of the telegraph wires to give a monopoly to the Press Agency, for which the Government should be blamed. Kr Shbphebd said there was no special privileges of wires to the Press Association. They were open to every one, the same as they were open to the association. The previous speaker could hardly be ignorant of that fact. If the previous speaker went into a bookseller's shop and bought a book he could read it, but he could not attempt to republish it. This was ezaotly a case of that kinn. They hud been told that this wts interfering with the liberty of the Press. Hue fact web that it was the smaller papers that interfered with the liberty of the Press by taking the liberty of appropriating what did not belong to them. These telegrams wtreas much private property as the stock-in-trade of a man's farm, and the argument in the opposits dir-ction amounted to a dansftrous dootrice. Two morning papers in the ssme place might not be able to misappropriate these telegrams, but an evening paper might so appropriate the telegrams of a morning contemporary. The talk abonfc monopoly was ridiculous. All that was asked was to protect property for whioh large stun* of monty were paid. Mr J. W. Thomson thought that these cablegrams should be protected, but the charge of £SOO for pining the association, was to his mind a stumbling block. .

Mr Stbwabd had never heard of snch a price having been paid. A sum of £25 or £3O would be charged the smaller class of paperß. The cablegrams cost heavy sums for news, and why should the purchaser not be protected in his purchase ? If it was flour the dealer would bo protected, and no other man would be allowed to take the flour and make it up into bread. Any nswspaper that wished to join the association could do so. Thero was no monopoly. He thought thirtysix hours' protection was too long, and in committee he would move a reduction.

Mr PitzGkhaid described the getting up of a paper as one great; piracy of news, as contradistinguished from brain work. The whole thing was piracy, and the greatest offenders wore the larger papers which asked for this protection.

Mr Feldwick said that instead of the Bill aiming at the liberties of the Press, it aimed at the class of offenders who took a most unjustifiable lioenso with the property of others. Beuter and the Press Association were two distinct institutions. He wished that to be distinctly borne in mind. There were small papers in the colony that got a snbsietence in this dishonest way. There were cases in whioh a morning paper's cablegrams were published by a non-subecribing paper in the same place in the evening. The one paper paid for the cablegrams and the other lived on suction. If the law of oopyright was to be acknowledged at all, then it ought to bs acknowledged in respect of newspaper publications. Beuter's agency charged nothing at all for joining. The House divided. Ayes 31, noes 27. The Bill was read a second time. IK OOJTHITIEB, The House went into committee on the Gas Companies and Consumers Liability BilL It p&ssod through committee, and was reported with amendments. THE LAW 01 XIBHL. Mr Tout moved the second reading of the Law of Libel Amendments Bill. The improvement in the law of libel as regards newspapers had been very slow indeed. He traced its progrecs, stating that the Bill embodied the provisions of the English Aofc passed last yoar. The welfare of & people depended in great measure on the power of the people to express a free and unconstrained opinion in public affairs, and it was only when that expression became outrageous that a paper should be punished. The Aot upon which the Bill was based was the result of two sessions of the British Parliament, and as such it claimed their respeotful attention. He referred especially to the fact that no prosecution could be instituted witbout the concurrence of the Attorney-General. That was a reasonable safeguard to newspapers, and would be the means of preventing vexatious prosecutions. It was based on a fundamental principle of justice, together with a fair s.nd reasonable protection to the public. The Hen. Mr Boliebto* asked that the motion be deleyed, as the Bill had t nly been circulated that afternoon. Mr Bathgate moved an adjournment of the motion, which was supported by Mr Shbehak, and agreed to by the mover, LAHD TAX. Mr Tuenbttlli gave notice of motion affirming tbe policy of a progressive land tax on all holders of land of the extent of 500 acres. PUBLIC LIBBABIBB. The House went into Committee to consider an address to the Governor, praying he will rooommend for appropriation this year the sum of £6OOO for public libraries, and that if an expenditure of money be granted, the following should be the system :—-(1). That the Government should ascertain what amount of money had been levied and paid under the Public Libraries. Act, 1869, acd as soon ss possible after the 31st Deosmbsr, 1882, deduct, from the proposed vte an amount equivalent to the amount so raised, ariu distribute tt.3 same among free libraries in proportion to the library rafes received respeclfvely by each, 2, That the balance be apportioned the several provincial districts according to population, and to hand it over for distribution to their respective Education Boards, in terms of section 2 of the Public Libraries Subsidies Act, 1877.

The Hon. Mr Dick suggested that if they were determined to go in for education of adults, ha would propoeo that they should allocate the money to poor districts, and not to wealthy opulent places, as would be the ca»o if the proposals of the resolution were given effect to. Mr George moved, as an amendment — " That the turn mentioned be distributed amongst the various counties and outlying districts on tho basis of population.

The Committee divided. Aycß, 45 ; noes, 14. The amendment was asgstived. Mr Httesthousb moved the reporting of progreos, on the ground that it was neoessary to delay the vote until the financial statement tras brought down. The Hon. Mr KOLLESTOif supported the motion to report progrefs, saying that before the question came on the Government would state its decision en the subject, having bad the banefit of learning the views of members.

The Committee divided—Ayes, 26 ; Noes,

Mr Shebhan moved that the first part of the resolution to work libraries bs agreed

Carried on a division by 39 to 10. The remainder of the original resolution wr.i than negitivod on the voices, and progress reported. The House adjoaxned at 1.15.