Parliament.

Manawatu Herald, 1 July 1893, Page 3

Parliament.

HOUSE OF BEPBESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY. The following Bills were read a first time : — Restraint of Monopolies ; Egmont County ; Alcoholic Liquor ; Coroners' Inquests ; Deceased Husband's Brother's Marriage ; Californian Thistle Eradication ; Taranaki Relief Fund Distribution Bill ; Prohibition of the Importations or Manufacture of Intoxicating Liquorg; Riverfcon Harbour Board Empowering Bill. On the motion for leave to introduce the Electoral Bill. The Premier, speaking in reply to Sir John Hall, said that the measure contained a provision for women's franchise, and that the date for the second reading of the Bill would depend upon the progress of other business. The Bill was introduced and read a first time. The Address-in-Reply was further debated and agreed to. THURSDAY. An Imprest Supply Bill, for £258, 500, was passed through all its stages. The following Bills were read a first time : — Bill to confer the Electoral Franchise on Women ; Property Law Consolidation Act Amendment ; Direct Veto ; Native Trusts and Claims Definition and Registration ; Distress for Rent Abolition, Imprisonment for Debt Abolition. The Public Accounts Committee was appointed, viz., Mr Guinness, Sir John Hall, Messrs. G. Hutchison, J. Mills, Dr Newman, Hon R. J. Seddon, Messrs Saunders, Shera, Tanner and the Hon J. G. Ward. The Hon W. P. Reeves moved the second reading of the Shops and Shop Assistants Bill. He explained that it simply contained the principle of the half-holiday which the House affirmed last year. There was a general objection to last year's Act, on account of its injustice to shop assistants, who were not certain of j the day on which they would obtain their half holiday in any week, and its injustice to masters, because of the want of uniformity. In the new Bill it was proposed that the shops should'close on Saturday, any local body being given the power to fix another day if Saturday would not suit. The Minister explained certain alterations which he would propose in committee, one of them being that the power of boroughs to combine with cities to select the day should be compulsory, instead of permissive. The Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Labour Bills Committee. A Bill providing for a refund to the Public Works Fund of certain moneys accepted in payment for the purchase of land at Lake Ellesmere, was read a second time. The Premier moved the second reading of the Electoral Bill. The debate was adjourned, the House rising at 10;80 p.m.