HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2573, 6 July 1882, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 7.30 HOTIOES.

i Mr George gave notioe to ask if the . Government would plaoe the Hinemoa at i the disposal of members from the South Island, so aa to enable them to visit Auckland, and become better acquainted with , that part of the colony. I THB BIHKIrTG FUND. The Hon. Major Atkinson asked leave to 1 lay on the table a return showing how the sinking fund was invested. He did this ' owing to some doubts having been expressed 1 as to the reality of the fund. ASHBUBTON COUNCIL EMFOWEBItfO IT'LL. The report of the Committee 0.-i the Aabburton Counoil Further Empowering Bill was read, finding the preamble proved, and recommending the Bill to be passed, «ith ertain amendments. BILLS CON3HNTED TO. A message was reoeived from the Administrator of the Government, giving his assent to tho Corrupt Practices Prevention Aot Amendment Bill, Auckland Harbor Board Further Empowering Bill, Lands Bill, and the two Imprest Supply Bills, KAITANGATA PUND. Mr Bdthbbeobd preaented a petition praying for an inquiry into tho adm tion of the Kaitangata relief fund, and expreening the belief that it would be found to have been unfairly administered. THB GBAND JUBT SyBTBM. Mr Hutchison gave notice that he would move that it is expedient to abolish the Grand Jury system. COBONEBS ACT. Mr Steward moved tho second reading of the Coroners Aot Amendment Bill. The motion was put and carried. Does bkgisteation aot. Tho House wont into Committee on the Djgs Registration Aot, 1880, Amendment Bili, which waß reported without amendments, and read the third time and pasted. THB VAGBANT ACT. On the question for going into committee on the Vagrant Act Amendment Bill, the House divided. Ayos, 47 ; noeu, 24. In Committee, Mr Htjbsthousb moved—- " That the power of inflicting whippings be not, as proposed by the Bill, entrusted to two J.P.'s." Ho argued that it would be unsafe to entrust suoh a fearful punishment to the bands of J.P.'s. Mr Feld-svick moved that the punishment bo provided for on a second conviction. He could understand that suoh a penalty might lead to the most dire oonscquoucss. The Hon. Mr Dick proposed that it be restricted to male persons. Ab tho Act stood it applied equally to females. Mr HxrSSBVXXi moved that progress be reported. He argued that the Bill was totally uncalled for. As the law stood, twelve months' imprisonment was provided for, and that was enough. It would be as well to mutilate offenders of this kind at once. It was a most reprehensible meaoure altogether. Tho motion for reporting progress was withdrawn. Mr Moss moved that tho Chairman leave the chair, expressing his abhorrence of the Bill. Tho Vagrant Act, as it stood, was a blot upon the Statute Book. If such a Bill as this was required, it ought to bo brought down by the Government, and not as it had , been in a surreptitious manner. That, he thought, was a sufficient reason for pausing and not allowing irresponsible persons to bring in a matter of such vital import to the subject. Mr Fish concurred that the responsibility ought to rest, and in fact did rest, with the Government. The punishment of tho lash was the most frightful that could be inflicted, and they ought to pause before allowsuch a provision to pass int.» law. Mr MacanderW thought something was r required to put down the evil aimed at, still he did not approve of the Bill as it stood. Mr Joyce supported the motion for leaving the chair, contending that the law ub it stood was sufficient to meet tho requirements of the case. What was wanted was a more healthy state of public feeling, which would induce these cases when committed to be prosecuted; Mr Tawhai desired to know if the Bill was to be applied to the Native race. With the view of gaining information on that head he supported tho motion for rspcrting progress. Mr O'Caliaghak, who was in charge of tho Bill, stated that it was intended to apply to both seotions of the colonists. Mr Shbehan said teat the well known Maori haka would be considered an exposure under the Act. Tho Bill was in conflict with the Aot it proposed to amend. Under the old Act one Justice of tho Peaoe could punish the offence, whereas under this - Act too were required. He thought further time should ba taken to consider the proposal. In reply to a question put, The Hon. Mr Dick said the Bill had came do-rn from the other Chamber, and he was not aware if it had be3n revised by the law officers of tho Crown. Mr Mobp.l3 said that the exposure must be wilful and malicious ; such being the case no magistrate would convict for a Maori haka. Mr Watt said that if the Natives were not exempted iroca the opera ion of the Bill ho would vote against it. Mr Munbo suggested that it should be made an indictable offence in order that the question of commission might bo decided upon by a jury. Colonel Tbimbie supported the proposal to make it an indictable offence. That was the otly safe course ho could see if the Bill to be passed. Mr Moss said that the Bill inoludedl woman and children, and such a power ought; not to be entrusted to minor Judges. Ho bad bcea appealed to withdraw his amendmeet, but he would net. Ho felt 3trougly on the subjfet. Mr M. W. Green would vote for progress being reported, as be had been given to understand that the member in charge of the Bill would not accept the proposal to make it an indictable offence. Mr MoiiiGOMBSY would regret to Bee tho power entrusted to a magistrate. He suggested that the magistrate should be allowed to administer the Act as it originally stood, but in tho event of the la3h being required then ho thought tho case should go to a jury. Mr Bracken denounced the Bill as calculated to bring about the most serious conBequeucsJ upo;j comparatively innooent persons. Mr HrTCHisoN was dissfjppoir.ted with the tone cf the debate throughout. It was tho punishment to which ho objected, no matter by nvhom it might be inflicted. Sir G. GfiVST ulso intimated that it was the character of tho puniihinant to which he objected, bo matter by what tribuual it migbt be inflicted. The motion for leaving the ebair was put anil the cotEimitae divided. Ayes, 22 ; Noes, 53. Tho motion for the insertion of the word "male " persons was put and carried on. the voicoa. After considerable further discussion, Mr O'Callaghan accepted the amendment by Mr Sheeting, providing that if the Eosideut Magistrate or Juitices wore of opinion that the present legal punishment was insufcleat to meet any esse, they might commit tho offender for trial, and the Judge oi the Supremo Court should have power to add flogging to the other punishment. The Bill was reported as amended. :he eight hours bill. This Bill wbb reported, agreed to, read the third lima, and passed. LIBBL BILIi. The Hon. Mr Lick resumed the debate on tho secmd reading of the Libel Bill. No. 3, clause 7, was out of place, »nd ought not to bo in tho Bill. Referring to clause 4 he said it sppeared to omit printers, and he savr no ■ reason why they should not have the protection provided for tho others. The motion for second reading was carried', boad to otago heads. ! In the Committee an address was considered to the Governor, requesting a sum of £SOO to be placed on the estimates for tho completion of the road to Otago Heads. Tho Hon. Mr Eouh-Ston objected, and ; progf via was reported. tabanaki ieon smelting. b Mr Fish moved the second reading of the i Taranaki Iron Smelting Work Land Act, 1874, Amendment Bill. Carried. 1 IN COMMITTEE. i Tho Employment of Females Act Amend- ; ment Bill, School Committee Election Bill, i and Small Birds Nuisance Bill were corn- . mitted. After the School Committees 3:11 > hud boen discussed, Mr Stewabd moved that progress be reported.

The oommittee divided—Ayes, 26 ; Noei,

The Small Birda Nnisanoe Bill waa diaouaaed at aome length. Captain MoKenzib moved that progresa be reported. Negatived on the voicea. Mr Hubbthotjse moved thß excision of clauae 4, whioh motion, after some disoussion, was carried by 22 to 21. Mr Steward, expressing regret at the decision come to, moved that progress be reported. Messra BtjchAHAn and Beacebn pointed out that to abolish cumulative voting would be an injustice to the Catholics and Jewa. After aome further discuaeion the motion to report progress waa oarried by 26 to 29. The Employment of Females Bill was reported with amendments. The Small Birds Nuißance Bill wan opposed ia committee by Captain MoKbnzib, bo far bb the rating power was concerned.

Several motions to report progress were made and lost, and the word '• rebiAont" in clause 5 was struck out. Several members hold that this rendered the Bill quite inoperative. Ultimately the Bill wao reported as amended, and the House roso at 2.45.