POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2600, 7 August 1882, Page 3

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

[By Tblbssafh.J

[FBOM THK “FBB88.”]

WELLINGTON, August 5,

When the telegraph office closed early in the small hour* thi* morning, various Consolidation Bills were going slowly but steadily through committee. The Fisheries Bill was the measure then being dealt with. Several discussion* took place on the new clauses suggested by the Commissioners, and various suggestion* were made as to improvements ; for instance, Mr J. W. Thomson suggested the addition of a proviso that persons licensed to fish might “ follow their fish ” along a stream, even on to private property, without being liable to be treated as trespassers, and that where possible a width sufficient for a pathway should bo reserved alongside each stream in order to facilitate fishing. The former suggestion was objected to as unduly infringing on the rights of property. The latter was thought desirable, but was not embodied in the Bill. Mr Moss condemned the enactment against presumed poachers, and moved that the sub-sec-tion containing it should be struck out, this was negatived on the voices. Mr Moss then moved an addition, making only persons who “ knowingly or wilfully destroyed fish by dynamite, &0., liable to the penalties, but this was negatived by 25 votes to 10. The penalty for putting deleterious matter into a stream was reduced from two years to one, after several motions in favor of other terms. One member stood out for a two months’ penalty, instead of two years, and there was a bard straggle to have six months inserted, but at last Mr Dick, with a good deal of astuteness, contrived to settle the matter by offering as a compromise, just when everybody was weary, to insert one year instead of two, which was agreed to. There was, however, much ‘‘ tall talk ’’ about game laws and tyranny and English oppression. There was also a fight over the question whether certain provisions of the Bili should be retrospective, but this was afilrmed on the voices, the demand for a division being waived after the bell had been rung and the doors looked. The next consolidation Bill taken was the Lunatics Bill—a batch of ten Bills having been committed in a hurry, so as to be able to go on after 12 30 a.m.—which at first seemed likely to make good progress. It happens, however, that the Commission, in addition to consolidating the existing laws, have inserted various new clause* which they deemed necessary to provide for defects in the laws now in force. Unfortunately these proved to be highly debateable, and elicited wide differences of opinion. Mr Oonolly took [exception at some length to certain provisions for initiating proceedings de lunatico, and various important points were raised by Mr Fish, Mr Turnbull, and other members, Mr Barron then protested most strongly against proceeding at that hour of tUo morning with such a weighty measure, as hardly more than a dozen members were present, althougha score were within call in the library and *t Bellamy’s in case of a

“ count ” or a division. Several speakers, however, urged that they should get on with the work, and a motion to report progress was negatived. A discussion arose on a new clause, referring to the power of committing for lunacy. At this stage Mr Pish again objected to going forward with a Bill so seriously affecting the liberty of the subject. He pointed out that it wbs just 2 a.m,, and only a bare quorum was present. It was most improper to go on under such circumstances, and if it were attempted he would resist any further progress being made, and should obstruct if necessary. Colonel Trimble protested against threats of this kind being made. The Chairman ruled Mr Pish out of order. Mr Pish withdrew his threat, but said he should feel it his duty to resist the Bill word by word if it were pressed on. Colonel Trimble contended that this was reiterating the threat in another form, but Mr Fish disclaimed any intention of offering offence, and the Chairman held that Mr Fish’s retraction must be accepted. The Colonial Secretary asked whether the Committee wonld go on with some other Bill if progress was reported, beside this one. This, however, did not meet with approval, and Mr Barron objected, pointing out that members had already been at work for twelve hours, and were too much fatigued to go on. After some further discussion progress was reported on the motion of Mr Oonolly, and the Auckland University College Bill was committed. Another effort was made to report progress. The Auckland members stuck out, fearing they might lose the Bill if they did not keep a fast hold of the present opportunity. Then followed some stonewalling on both sides ultimately, one side wishing to go on and the other objecting to stop. Mr Pish made a warm speech on education, and declared his disapproval of secondary ednoation being resisted by the Auckland members, who stated that as Otago and Canterbury had large reserves for this object, it was only fair that Auckland should be placed on a similar footing, A division then took place on the motion that progress be reported, which was negatived by 25 to 15. The Bill was then proceeded with, bat a stubborn resistance was still made to any further progress being made at such an untimely hour. Mr Wright protested against the action of the Government in forcing through a Bill of this kind in a thin House, so far in the morning. A good deal of irritation was displayed, and Mr Allwright moved—" That the chairman leave the chair.” Major Atkinson explained that Ministers did not expect so much time to be occupied by the preceding Bills, nor did they anticipate any opposition to this measure. Mr Hursthouso strongly opposed the Bill, and several others spoke against it. , By this time preparations were being made for “a night of it,” opossum rugs, ko,, being brought in and other arrangements made for personal comfort. The galleries were empty (except one or two in the Frees gallery), and the House presented a doleful and deserted aspect. Mr Fish made another strong speech, declaring himself in favor of colonising all education reserves as common property for the promotion of primary education. Ho said he knew this frank avowal, if reported, might cost him his seat in the House, but be did not care, and would speak his mind at all risks. Mr Fergus advocated the principle of tbeßiil, A division being taken on the motion to leave the ohair, it was negatived by 25 to 9. Sir Maurice O’Rorke spoke in favour of the Bill, explaining that no landed endowment could bo obtained in Auckland, where the extent of available land was very small com pared with Otago and Canterbury. Mr Munro urged the postponement of the Bill, on the ground of the lateness of the hour, Mr Fish said the opponents of the'Bili should have objected to it on the second reading. It was unmanly to attack it in committee. Mr Hursthouse objected to money grants for education being voted to Auckland, where the land had been sold at a nominal price or even given away recklessly, instead of being wisely used, ns in Nelson, whore it had bean so husbanded as to form valuable educational endowments. At last Ministers gave way, and Mr Dick moved that progress be reported, which was agreed to. Toe Imbecile Passengers Bill, Inspection of Machinery Bill, and Companies Bill were read a third time and passed. Ultimately the House rose shortly before 4 a.m. It la understood that the Loan Bills will be taken on Monday evening, but a special Cabinet meeting will be held in the morning to decide.

The Hon. Mr Chamberlain, on Wednesday next, is to move ia tho Upper House —“ That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that the Customs tariff be revised and amended in the direction of further and greater onoourafjemeut to local industries than exist at the present time.” On Tuesday next, Mr Nurse will ask tho Premier if the Government will make enquiries and tab a into consideration the propriety of painting certain beacons on tho coast of New Zealand with luminous paint. Mr Dodeon is to ask the Government on ■Wednesday next whether, having ia view the fears enter tained by a considerable section of the community that very serious evils frequently arise from vaccination (which view is also held by eminent medical authorities in Europe and America), they will during the recess cause enquiries to be made to enable them to form an opinion as to the desirability of introducing a Bill during the next session | to repeal the present Compulsory Vaccination Act.