Parliamentary Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 129, 24 September 1896, Page 2

Parliamentary Notes.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. [By Telegraph.] (From our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, This day. The Council insists on its amendments in the Government Advances to Settlers Bill, and have appointed the Hons Messrs Bonar, Johnston, ana Stevens to represent them. The Minister of Educatijk'B motion for the second reading onto Public Revenue Act Amendment BflT was agreed to without debate ; while The only speaker on a similar motion in respect to the Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill was the Hon Mr Stevens, who took exception to the provisions of clauses 11 and 12, which increases the sum available yearly under this Act by £50,000 to be used for opening up the country. The joint Agriculture, Pastoral, and Stocks Committee have recommended that the Noxious Weeds Bill be de-. ferred and brought up at an early date next session.

As Chairman of the Native Affairs Committee in the Legislative Council the Hon Mr Williams moved that the evidence taken by that committee on the petition of Hipa Whatanui, respecting his petition, be printed. This was objected toby the Minister of Education, but was carried by 18 to 16.

The Council yesterday afternoon passed the Abattoirs and Slaughterhouses Act Amendment Bill and the Chinese Immigrants Bill through their final stages.

The Ngatitoa Trust Bill and the Poverty Bay Land and Deeds Registration District Bill went through committee, the latter with a new schedule. Again Ministers in the House declined to answer questions on the order paper.

It was decided at the Premier's instance that no deduction be made from the honararium of Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.ft., on account of his absence at the begining of the session in connection with his iron-sand mission to England. Captain Bussell and Mr Crowther expressed dissent from the resolution. Mr Flatman was assured by Mr Seddon that the Amending Liquor Bill would be produced this session. The second reading of the Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill, a technical measure to clear up doubts which have arisen in respect to previous legislation on the same subject, was agreed to, and the measure was referred to the Goldfiel&s Committee. Members generally concurred in the principle of the Eight Hours Bill, in moving the second reading of which Mr Seddon said it was merely intended to apply to factories, gold and coal mines, and persons employed by local authorities. Many counter objections were raised. The only real out-and-out opponent of the measure was Mr Willis, who spoke of it as an electioneering measure, but the idea of doing away with the overtime was freely condemned, it being pointed out that there were occasional rushes of business in every trade, and that unless overtime were allowed under exceptional circumstances, the Bill would be unworkable. Sir R. Stout thought the Bill ought to be made more general. He saw no reason why it should not apply to all Government employees as well as employees of local bodies and agricultural laborers as well. The Premier, in replying, thanked members for the way the measure had been treated. He said that thirty-two years ago he had taken part in an eight-hours' demonstration. That the Bill was brought in for electioneering purposes, he warned the house that if those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits were brought within the provisions of the Bill then the Bill was as dead as Julius Csesar. As to over-time, labor must be spread over as large a surface as possible, having at the same time a practical application. The second reading was agreed to on the voices and the committal of the measure was fixed for next sitting day.

The Hon Mr McKenzie, in moving the second reading of the Government Valuation of Land Bill, explained that the object of the measure was to have one valuation for all the requirements of the colony, and that valuation should be available for local bodies. Private individuals, too, should have access to the Government valuation, if they desired it, on payment of a small fee. It would be possible, too, with such a valuation as was provided by the Bill, to get loans at much shorter notice and at less expense from the Government Advances to Settlers Office, the Government Insurance or Public Trust Departments. There would be no necessity to set up new departments, for valuation could be done in connection with the Land and Income Department.

Captain Kussell supported the principle of one general valuation for the colony, but said that if the gentleman whose name had been associated with the position (Mr Kennedy Mac Donald) was to be appointed superintending valuer it would suffice for his opposing the Bill. 5 At the evening sitting the second reading of the Land Valuation Bill was carried on a division by 88 to 22. The Native Land Laws Act Amendment Bill was referred to the Native Affairs Committee. The second reading of the Excise Duties Bill, increasing the duty on cigarettes (if manufactured by machinery) from Is 6d to 8s 6d per pound, was agreed to without a division. The Premier moved the second reading of the Tobacco Act Amend; meat Bill, to amend tbe law relating to thie manufacture and sale of tobacco. After a short debate the second reading was carried by 27 to 22 t