GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 285, 3 September 1877, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.] , HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, August 30. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Barton's petition debate was adjourned, and Mr Fox moved the Local Option Bill into committee. In doing so he spoke for an hour and a quarter. In replying to the second reading of the debate he accused Mr Wallis of having" broken his election pledges incoming forward -like a high piiest of Bacohus in defence of publicans. Mr Wallis explained he had broken no pledges. . , „

Mr Fox continued to defend the principles of the Bill. He denied its provisions were arbitrary. He cared very little for statistics regarding drunkenness increasing or decreasing, while the fact remained that we were drinking . too much. He denied the existence of ' any claim for compensation, and he would rather lose the Bill than admit It. Remedial, not merely palliative, measures were demanded by the urgency of the evil. No regulations for the con-duct-of houses, or punishment to the drinker or seller, would be efficacious, j No punishments could be inflicted on the drunkard greater than those following this vice. As to any understanding about the right to renewal of licenses, there could be none; licenses are only annual, and by Sunday trading, adulteration, and breaches of the lay publicans forfeited all claim to compensation. Instead of being too strongly spoken of they had been too lightly let off. He gave a sketch of the fearful state he found the hotels in in Hawke’s Bay. The local option principle was accepted aeven years ago, but the claim to compensation wars quite new. He would resist to the last taking working men’s •money to bribe liquor dealers. He Would remove their blood-stained hand from people’s throats. He had drafted new clauses to meet objections regarding the boundaries of licensing districts. Mr Balance and Mr Joyce replied warmly to the remarks made by Mr Pox regarding their former speeches. Mr Gisborne said if licenses were abolished on the grounds of public policy, compensation world undoubtedly be due. Mr Wallis condemned Mr Pox’s intemperate language and defended him■self. Fairness and Justice necessitatd compensation. Mr Swanson complained of Mr Pox arrogating all credit to himself, while lie and 'the Auckland Provincial ■Council had .Carried a far better Bill long before Mr Pox took the subject up. He, felt humiliated at the manner Mr Pox talked of publicans. He referred to many he knew in Auckland of the highest character. It was a disgrace • that he should have the whole class dragged through the mire. It would he well if politicians were as pure. There was a want of thoroughness about the Bill which would leave Bellamy's and the Clubs alone. Compensation would be due in some but not In, many cases. , He was willing \o do anything fair to reduce intemperance, bnt dissapproved of Mr Pox’s tone and method. The Bill went into Committee, and a great variety of-amendments were proposed. The Honse adjourned at ll 30. The House mot at 2.30. The Hokitika Gas Bill was read a second time. A fortnight’s leave of absence was granted to Mr Kennedy. The. debate was resumed on Mr Barton’s petition, and Mr Curtis moved an addition to Mr Whitaker’s motion, , to the effect that the House declined to receive the petition, because its allegations Were specific, or such as, if proved, would justify the House in removing the Judges. Mr Pox, Mr Reynolds, and Mr Rees strongly condemned the conduct of the Wellington Bar in presenting an address to the Judges; and of the Judges in 1 permitting it. Mr Moorhpnse and Mr Travers defended their action in the matter. Mr Button admitted he had acted indiscreetly without considering his position as a member of the House when taking part in the demonstration. Mr Gisborne, Sir George Grey, and Mr Montgomery, while agreeing that the petition allowed no sufficient grounds for removing this ' Judges, thought that a dangerous precedent would be established in refusing to receive the petition. Mr Bowen thought the motion if mot altogether satisfactory even m amendment, was the best House could adopt under its present Standing Orders. Mr Stafford supported the motion. He considered the petition frivolous and vexations,. The motion as amended by Mr Cortis was agreed to on the voices. Hie Government promised to conaider the I question of giving compensation for long service and special pay to certain members of the police force who had lost it when they ceased to bo provincial servants. Mr Pyke accordingly postponed his resolution on the subject, Mr Travers’ motion, that pending legislative action no purchases or negotiations for purchase of Native Bands made or entered into since the withdrawal of the Native Land Bill should be valid unless sanctioned by a measure introduced in the House, was 1 passed, M ijm> Atkinson stating the Government wer • making enquiries, and intended to introduce a Bill for the pur- \ I»°se. ■ •. The House adjourned for dinner. 1