Parliamentary Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 123, 17 September 1896, Page 2

Parliamentary Notes.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. [Special to Standard.] Wellington, This day. In the Council yesterday afternoon the Petitions Committee reported with reference to the application of Sir Walter Buller to be heard at the Bar of the Council that it should be decided by the whole Council. Accordingly the Hon Mr Bolt gave notice that hg-y----would move that Sir Walter be beared*" The Council put through their final stages the Lake Forsyth Lands Vesting Bill, the Photographic Copyright Bill, and the Greytown Trustees Empowering Bill, . And immediately afterwards killed the Hon Mr Taiaroa's Crown Suits extension Bill. The Council evidently thought it had done its duty to the Loan Bill by putting on record its protest on the previous day, for it allowed the measure to silently pass through its final stages yesterday afternoon. Not even one voice was raised against it.

The Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill was considered in Committee, and after one or two amendments of no importance had been made the measure was reported. The Premier again passed by the list of questions yesterday afternoon, and Captain Russell protested against the Standing Orders being set aside. The Leader of the Opposition wished to move the adjournment of the House to discuss the proceedings, but Mr Guinness, who was in the chair, ruled him out of order.

Mr Duthie yesterday made a personal explanation in the House with regard to an article which had appeared in the London Financial News, which was to the effect that it was learned, thanks to Mr J. G. Ward, that the Bank of New Zealand had not been above suspicion in certain dealings with Mr Duthie. The member for Wellington City indignantly repudiated the statement, and said he had never been connected in any transaction with the Bank of New Zealand. The ex - Colonial Treasurer also made a statement that he had neither directly nor indirectly communicated with any person in England with regard to the matter to which Mr Duthie referred.

The Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment Bill, introduced by the Premier because the Asiastic Restriction Bill had been reserved for Her Majesty's pleasure, was read a second time without division, committed, and put through its final stages. The Old Age Pensions Bill was committed without discussion. The Premier then moved that the Public Revenues Bill be committed, which, was agreed to after a protest from the leader of the Opposition. Mr Seddon was evidently determined on work, and he then moved the committal of the Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill. The House objected, and by a majority of one defeated the proposal. Notwithstanding the adverse vote Mr Seddon put on his hob nailed boots and attempted to get the Shop and Shop Assistants Bill on the list for committal. This was also refused, this time by 30 to 28. The Undesirable Hawkers Prevention Bill and the Masters and Apprentices Bill also met with the same fate in the motion for committal, the vote on the last measure being very pronounced—■ 31 to 18.

The Minister of Lands attempted to get the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors Bill committed, but the House was obdurate, whereupon Mr McKenzie stated that he refused to go on with the Bill. Shortly after 4 o'clock the House went into committee on the Old Age Pensions Bill, and it was not until midnight that progress was reported after a stormy debate, which at times waa decidedly amusing. Some of the members were evidently intent on tearing the measures to pieces, and amendments were the order of the day. Mr Earnshaw was the first to move, with an amendment to reduce the age of recipients from 65 to 60. After a lengthy discussion the amendment was lost by 54 to 5.

On the motion of the Premier it was resolved that the pension should not exceed 10s per week. Mr Willis failed by 33 to 16 in an endeavor to include for pensions personslncapacitated for work by bodily affliction. Mr Buddo moved to include widows left in poor circumstances with one or more children, but the House refused the amendment by 80 to 24.

Then Mr Clutha M'Kenzie moved that recipients must have resided 25 years in the colony instead of 20 as proposed in the measure. This went by the board by 40 to 9.

Mr G. W. Russell was successful in an amendment that persons must reside continuously in the colony for five years, instead of three, before they are entitled to become recipients. A sub-clause that on applicant's income must not exceed £SO when he receives a pension was omitted on the motion of Mr G. J. Smith. The Premier here announced that it was impossible to go on with the measure, as he as Colonial Treasure coul(j not find the money to carry scheme as amended by the Committee. A sub-clause was inserted on the motion of Mr W. Hutchison that persons receiving pensions should retire from the labor market. After further discussion Mr Seddon moved to report progress, stating that he would not proceed with the Bill, but this was negatived by 30 to 24, whereupon the Premier left the tiMe. Mr Riccarton Russell said that as Mr Seddon had dropped the measure he would act the part of father to it, and on being asked for his ruling, the Chairman (Mr Joyce) said Mr Russell could take charge of (he m?*sgre,

Mr Seddon objected to this proceeding, and said the Bill as it now stood wonH cost the colony between £GQO,OOO and £700,000 per annum. After more talk, progress was reported, and members retired to their homes at midnight.