POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2562, 24 June 1882, Page 4

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

[Bv Txlkqkaph.J WELLINGTON, June 23,

The joint statutes revision committee have reported that they have considered the Inspection of Machinery Bill, which is a reprint of the Bill passed last session by the Legislative Council, and is also one of the Bills submitted to the Legislature by the statutes revision commission. The committee recommend that the Bill should be passed as printed. The principle new provisions in this Bill are (1.) That no boiler may be in charge of any person under eighteen years of age. (2 ) To compel attention to the authorised boiler pressure by the person actually in charge. (3.) Requiring the authorised pressure of boiler to bo stated on the metal plate affixed to it, with a penalty for neglect of this rule. The same committee have also reported on the Lunatics Bill, which was transmitted to them, and recommend that it pass subject to certain alterations. The Bill is the same as that of last session, and consolidates previous Acts on the subject. Among the new provisions deemed by the Royal Commissions to be required, and added by them are the following:—(!,) Vesting in the public trustee the management of lunatics’ estate*. (2.) New regulation for the restraint of habitual drunkarde. (3 ) Limiting to relations, friends and householders the power of procuring the detention of the person as lunatic, instead of “ any person ” having this power as formerly, which is pronounced dangerous and oppressive ; also requiring a judicial decision that the alleged lunatic is really insane. (4) Provisions for the detention of criminal lunatics. (5) Enabling the medical attendant to take the initiative in procuring the discharge of a cured patient. (6.) Providing for accounts being rendered to a person who has become fit to manage his own affaire, and for restoring to him the control of his property. The Bill itself is a gigantic one of 346 clauses, with twenty-two schedules. The alterations suggested by the committee are mainly .verbal and unimportant. The Friendly Societies Bill consolidates the Acts of 1877 and 1878, which the Royal Com. mission considered defective in several particulars of importance. The principal new provision is explained by the Commissioners as an entirely new clause intended toiclear up, a point which arose under the Act of 1877, and to state explicitly what is believed to have been the true intention of the latter. Without this explicit statement it might be contended that in case of a society with branches, the return and valuation required from the society should only extend to funds under the control of the central body of the society, and to the registered branches of the society. The amendment makes it clear that the returns and valuations must include .all the lodges of the district whether registered or not. The omission of even a single lodge of course impairs the work of any return or valuation. There is a farther provision making it obligatory on branches of the society to supply the secretary of the society with necessary information. His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon took his final departure from New Zealand by H.M.S. Miranda this afternoon. Both Houses of Parliament adjourned for an hour in order to attend his Excellency at the place of embarkation to bid him farewell. The proceedings were of the coldest and tamest character possible. The intended attack of the Opposition tonight collapsed unanimously. It was rumored before the House mot this evening that this would probably prove to be the ease, Mr Montgomery rose as leader of the Opposition, but his claim was “ jumpsd ” by Mr Dargaville, who proceeded to deliver a long financial speech, which be is understood to have been incubating for several days. He criticised the budget, but there was little original or nothing formidable in his attack. His chief points seemed to bo a defence of a land and income tax as against the property tax, and the assertion that there was no real sinking fund. His speech fell very flat, and was openly sneered at by the Opposition, who did not seem at all pleased at his action. Thou Mr Seddon came in with his payment of members motion, and that has occupied the House until 11 p.m. Several members plainly intimated their conviction that paying members was the only way to prevent their being bribed. However, the motion was carried nem. con., and there is ."now little doubt a Bill will pas* this session fixing the payment of members by statute.

I understand that the Colonial Treasurer will not bring down his National Insurance scheme before Wednesday week. I believe it will probably be brought forward in the shape of resolutions affirming its desirableness.

The public works statement will most likely be delivered on the following Friday. It is in active course of preparation.