Parliament.

Manawatu Herald, 2 September 1893, Page 2

Parliament.

HOUSE OF EKPKHSBNTATIVES.

Wkdnksday, AiuaisT #0. The Speaker took the chair at 2 :-50 p m.

The Pharmacy Bill (passed by the L gislative Council) was read a first time.

The Premier moved the third reading of the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Bill.

(From the Times we obtain the report of the following speeches : —

'I he Hon Mr Rolleston said that if voting for this Bill meant voting for t.'inpeianco on the one hand as against drunkenness on the other, he would have h?.d no hesitation in supporting it. But it was crude and imp.-rfect, and would suti-fy neither the Prohibitionists nor Chose who held views similar to his own. It had been hastily put together and rushed through the House, and was not likely to effect the object which was desired. This Bill and the one giving the franchise to women were Hills which ran together, and neither of thsm had been dealt with pro perly. The women's franchise had not had fair treatment from Parliament during the last throe years. All admitted that the liquor traffic should be dealt with, but it would not ho dealt with by rushing to extremes. This question had been the victim of too much zeal on the part of the Temperance Party and too little judgment, and had been the victim in that House of hasty and ill- considered legislation. Social reforms should proceed by evolution, not by violence. This Bill, if passed, would prejudice the chance of dealing with this great question on a comprehensive basis nexs year. The principle of applying the bare majority to a question involving administrative functions, or calling for the exercise of the judicial faculty, was going backwards instead of forwards, and led to a tyrannical over-riding of the rights of the minority and was destructive of freedom. Absolute Prohibition had been shown by all experience in other countries to be a failure. It had led to drinking in cellars and other out-of-the-way places, to sly grog selling, and a constant evasion of the law. It had been said that the publicans liked this Bill because it would be inoperative from a Prohibitionist's point of view. He did not believe that it would be inoperative if women were on the roll. (Hear, hear.) He believed the Bill would reduce publichouses. The provision which added the votes given for Prohibition to those in favour of a reduction of licences would do that. He would have stricter regulations for early closing. Strict police supervision was needed ; what was wanted was a system of inspection by persons other than police. The Bill proposed districts which were grotesquely large, and which would tend to make it inoperative. He would vote against the Bill.

Sir Robert Stout thought that Mr Rolleston, holding the views he did, should have moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. He would do so himself. Mr Rolleston had argued against all regulation. He might have said that because men were earning their livelihood by bar-selling and by long hours, they should not be deprived of that right to live. The Temperance Party had not asked for Prohibition. They had asked that this question should be sent to the people, and if the people decided that licenses must continue, they would

The House adjourned at 2.50 a m. Thursday, August 81. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m." The following Bills were read a first time : — Halswell River Drainage District Bill, Blind Asylum Reserve Bill. The Dunedin Garrison Hall Trustees Empowering Bill was passed. The Christ church Hospital Act 1877 Amendment Bill was also passed. The Palmerston North Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Empowering Bill was read a second time, and the Harbours Act Amendment Bill passed through committee. Progress was reported on the Egmont County Bill The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Otago Harbour Board Empowering Bill were agreed to. The Minister of Lands nv,ved the second reading of the Native Land Purchase and Acquisition Bill. After a long discussion the motion was agreed to.

The House adjourned at 1 25 a.m.