PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 100, 21 August 1896, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. [By Tklegbaph.] Special to Standard. Wellington", this 'lay. The Inspection of Machinery Act Bill passed its final stages, and the Medical Practitioners Registration Amendment Bill as amended by the Statutes Revision Committee passed through committee. Progress was reported on the Asiatics Restriction Bill, the title of which the Hon L. Walk r proposes to alter to Chinese Restriction Bill. As several of the Councillors are daily absent from their duties the Hon Mr Shrimski has given notice to move for a " call *" of the Council. The Law Practitioners Biii (which was thrown out a couple of days ago owing, it was alleged, to misunderstanding) was again under consideration. It was opposed as opening the legal profession to quack lawyers by the Hon Messrs Shrimiski and Baillie, while the Hon Mr McLean thought it was a huniuliating position to place Councillors in, by asking them to i\ - verse a vote deliberately given, as though they had no minds of their own.

On a division the second reading was earned by 14 to I*2, and the bill was referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. A short shrift was extended to the the Contagions Diseases Act Amendment Bill, which had parsed through the Lower House, and which leaves it to local authorities to say whether they will bring the C.D. Act into force. The bill was supported by the Minister of Education and the Hons Messrs Jones and Jennings, and it was opposed by the Hons Messrs Rigg and Peacock, after which the question went to the vote, and the second reading was refused by 18 to 11. The Compensation Adjustment Bill was put through its stages. The Mortgages Bill was read a second time and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Public Morgues Bill passed through Committee, the provisions allowing morgues at public hospitals to be used at public morgues being struck out.

On the Minister of Lands moving for leave of absence for the remainder of the session for the member for \\ allace on the ground of ill-health the Temperance section of the House, headed by Mr G. J. Smith.moved that the words "on the ground of ill-health " be struck out, as this would entitle Mr Macintosh to draw his honorarium. They gave it to be understood that in their opinion the cause of absence did not justify the public purse being drawn upon. Amid much laughter a certificate from Dr Cahill was read stating that Mr Macintosh was suffering from " political excitement." What promised to develop into a heated discussion was nipped in the bud by the Premier opportunely arriving and moving the adjournment of the debate till the following day, and promising at the same time to fortify himself with the certificates of two medical men to the effect that the member for Wallace had been almost at death's door. One remark made by the Hon Mr Hall-Jones, who was a prominent member amongst the temperance reformers last session, during the discussion has given rise to some comment. It was that " the cause (Prohibition) would not be advanced by Mr Smith's action."

Questions were again postponed in the House yesterday afternoon. The second reading of the Abattoirs and Slaughterhouses Act Amendment Bill, which provides that in the event of proceedings being taken against a person for permitting slaughterhouse draining to run into any stream running through a borough, it shall be a sufficient defence if he satisfies the Court that the stream is not polluted, was moved by the Premier, and agreed to after a short debate. The committial of the Private Benefit Societies Bill (which provides that all private Benefit Societies must register as Friendly Societies) was moved, alter which Sir Robert Stout suggested an amendment so as to exempt the two existing societies, viz., the Colonial Sugar Refining Company of Auckland and the Union Steamship Company Benefit Societies. The Bill was supported by Messrs Earnshaw, Duthie, Millar, and others and the Premier in reply said a principal should be laid down that there should be no private Benefit Societies. The committal was then agreed to. The motion for the committal of the Wages Protection Bill was also agreed to after a short debate. The Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill was considered at length in Committee. The criminal statistics show an increase of 480 in the total number of all the offences reported in the colony during the past year as compared with the previous year. p. Despite the cry of the bad organisation in the police force Colonel Hume positively asserts there is no disorganisation and no evils that call for a Royal Commission enquiry such as has been urged. He says that the colony has at the present time a thoroughly efficient and trustworthy police service, whilst the cost of the police to the population per head is less than in any of the other colonies.