PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 52, 26 June 1896, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. (By Telegraph.) (From our Special L'orretyondcnt. / Wellington, this day. After a debate lasting over an hour the second reading of the Wesleya.il Methodist Church Property Trust Amendment Bill was agreed to on the voices. The Hon Mr Seddon, in introducing the subject, said that the Wesleyan Methodist Church, the Free Methodist Church, and the Bible Christian Church had at a conference held in March last decided to federate as one body. Personally he thought that if more of the churches amalgamated it would be a good thing. The principal opponents of the Bill were Mr Meredith and the member for Auckland City, who protested on i behalf of the Mount Eden Free Church, but the objections raised were committee ones, and no division was called for. | When Sir George Whitmore suggested that the Council should adjourn for a fortnight owing to there being 110 business to go on with the Minister of Education said it was probable that in a few days some measures of importance would be received from " another place," and the Ministry thought that a more suitable time for the holiday would be when the Financial Debate was proceeding in the Lower House. For the third consecutive session the Council has rejected the Contagious Disease Repeal Bill, which passed all stages in the Lower House on dayThe singular part of the affair was that the Hon Mr Walker, who last year had voted against the measure now found himself by virtue of his position as a Minister its sponsor. The Hon. Mr Bowen made a stirring speech against the Bill, in the course of which he expressed the opinion that physically and morally the enforcement of the Act would be the ruin of the country, while the Hon. Mr -Jennings drew a graphic picture of palatial buildings devoted to vice which allured young girls when the Act was in force. On a division the Bill reached its " happy despatch " by 20 to 11. Mr W. Hutchison has given notice of the following motion :—" That in the opinion of this House no concession or subsidies should be granted to any foreign gold-mining syndicate or company without an agreement being entered into that the ruling rate of wages in the district for miners and laborers shall be paid by such syndicate or company. The second reading of the Hon. Mr Feldwick's Defamation Bill was assented to by the Council. After a short debate in Committee the Adulteration Prevention Acts Amendment Bill was amended that tins or packages of coffee must contain a description of the ingredients and weights thereof. Replying to the Prohibition deputation to-night, the Premier refused to admit the truth of allegations made as to the laxity of administration in regard to the liquor laws. He stated he had given strict instructions that the law was to be enforced and was not prepared to allow that these were not carried out by the police generally. As to the inspection of breweries, very strict supervision was exercised by the excise officers. He assured them that had he found any officer not doing his duty he would soon have been dismissed from the force. Riccarton Russell's Removal of Disabilities of Women Bill, which places both sexes oil an equality in respect to sitting in Parliament or occupying positions in the Court of Divorce, unexpectedly passed its second reading in the House yesterday afternoon. After Mr Russell had spoken it looked as though a division was to be taken without the courtesy of the principle of the measure being debated, when Mr Allen took the floor and delivered a short speech in opposition. The HOll. Hall-Jones, Messrs Geo. Hutchison, and Willis, and Dr Newman supported the Bill. The second reading was carried by 26 to 22. Mr Pirani's Truck Act Amendment Bill was read a second time pro forma, and was referred to the Labor Bills Committee. All sessional committees were set up this afternoon. There was 110 protest raised to Mr Geo. Hutchison's exclusion from the Public Accounts Committee. The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Amendment Bill was circulated this evening. It contains clauses in last session's Act struck out by the Council, providing for national option poll and the regulation of clubs. Four members of a licensing committee are to form a quorum. The difficulty over the bottle-license question is met by a new clause, which says : " Section 18 of the said Act is hereby amended by adding to the end of subsection 2 thereof the words, ' and may be renewed by the Licensing Committee from time to time until the licensing poll next after such expiry is taken, but thereafter shall not be renewed.' " By the Customs Duties' Reciprocity Act Extension Bill the power given under last session's Act to the Colonial Treasurer to enter into reciprocity with Canada and South Australia is extended to the other colonies, and also to the United Kingdom. A fortnight's leave of absence, on account of urgent private business, is being asked for Mr Ward by the Premier, with a view of preventing Sir Robert Stout's Defamation Bill being reached. The Ministerial supporters stonewalled Riccarton Russell's Periodical Revaluation of Leases in Perpetuity Bill from half-past 7 to midnight, when the second reading was refused by to 17. Mi Mc-Nab's chances of the Attorney t ieneralship seems to be imptovuig daily.