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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 297, 14 August 1865, Page 2

The principal topic of discussion in the House of Representatives since previous advices from Wellington has been on “ the second reading of the Masters’ and Servants’ Bill,” moved by the Attorney-General. An animated discussion took place—the feeling of the House being almost entirely against its provisions, even the supporters of the Government only seem to have voted for the second reading in order that, it might Le modified in committee—the principal speaker for the opposition was Mr Fitzgerald, who in moving that it. be read that day six mouths, took occasion to expose the enormity of the provisions of the Bill, which carried us back to the dark ages; it was suited to a convict or slave population, and the legislation even, of Great Britain was ages in advance of it. The great principle of modern legislation—Freedom— was ignored by it, and servants reduced to the state of slaves. It provided that in the case of breach of agreement by a servant he should be subject to a criminal trial, and made liable to imprisonment; while a similar breach on the part of the master was but a civil offence, and no provision was made for sending him to jail. There was no reason why this class of contract should be treated in a different way from others. Wilful damage was already a criminal offence, and masters and servants should have the same privileges, and be subject to the same penalties. The amendment was seconded by Mr Colenso. He saw that if the law of England was not in force in the colony, some law was necessary ; but this Act went towards tying down servants to actual servitude. By it, even an oral agreement was binding on the servants; any objection he took might be got over in committee, but he feared not. The hon. member then mentioned several clauses to which he objected. The Act appeared to him very stringent, and he believed it would be found to work badly for both master and man. On a division being called, the second reading was carried by a majority of 16, Mr Ormond voting with the Ayes. Working Men ! Remember this when called upon to promise your vote! On Tuesday, the Bth, the question of Native Franchise was debated; but we are unable to give details in this present issue, further than that the subject was debated with spirit, and kept the house until about en o’clock p.m.