Parliament.

Manawatu Herald, 7 October 1893, Page 2

Parliament.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, October 4. The Speaker took the chair at 2 30 p.m. The Minister for Labour moved that the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill be discharged from "the order paper in a speech most hostile to the Legislative Council. The order was discharged. The Colonial Treasurer moved the second reading of the Government Life Insurance Acts Amendment Bill. Its purposes he said, was to prevent delay in dividing the surplus profits between the policy holders. The motion was agreed to, and the Bill was afterwards put through its final stages. The second reading of the Companies Act Amendment Bill passed by the Legislative Council was agreed to and the Bill then read a third time and passed. The machinery Bill enforcing the land and income tax was passed. The second reading of the Public Trust Office Act Amendment Bill was agreed to. The Bill was committed, and in clause 3, the interest upon moneys advanced by the Public Trustee in respect of any estate, the funda of which are not immediately available, was fixed at a sum not exceeding 6 per cent. The Bill was read a third time and passed. The following Bills were passed :— ■ Mangawai Harbour Endowment Reserve, Coal Mines Act Amendment (bringing shale within the provisions of the Act), Gimmerburn Forest, Kyngdon Land Grant, Maori Real Estate Management Act Amendment Public Works Act Amendment, and Colliery Railways Vesting Bill (vesting the Fernhili and Shag Point Railways in their owners). The Minister for Education moved the second reading of the Education Act Amendment Bill, explaining that it provided that the onus of prosecution for truancy should be thrown upon the boards instead of the committees. The second reading was agreed to. When the House resumed at 7.30 p.m., clause 9 of the Bill, providing that the police shall prosecute under the Act was struck out. Mr Fisher moved to add a new clause, giving children attending private schools the right to compete for Education Board scholarships. After some discussion, Mr Fisher amended the clause so that it should allow only children of primary private schools to compete foiv these scholarships with the children of public schools. This was carried by 29 votes to 19. A general discussion arose on the subject, when the Premier said he thought it most inopportune that it should occur at this stage of the session. Members were not prepared for the amendment which hnd been carried. On his motion, progress waa reported, leave being given to sit again. The Premier moved the second reading of the Railways Authorisation and Management Act Amendment Bill, which enables land to be reclaimed from Wellington harbour for Te Aro goods station, which was agreed to. The supplementary estimates were further "considered. Thursday, October 4. In reply to Mr Rolleston, the Premier said there would be nothing in the Appropriation Bill which would affect the appointment or status of the Railway Commissioners and there was no necessity for it. As to what the Government would do next January, when the term of the Commissioners would expire, the

general election Wdiild take piac then. The Government intended to keep strictly within the law in anything they did ; but he was not going to bring forward the .bill as amended by the Council; r J?he Hon Mr Reeves moved the second reading of the Local Authorities By-laws Bill, repealing by-laws prohibiting the playing of musical instruments m the street, which was agreed to. When the Bill Was in committee, clause 2 was amended, so that the playing of a naval, military or volunteer band, or the band belonging to any recognised religious or social organisation, or any dand in a public procession, or .any band engaged by a circus or theatrical company, should be permitted, unless it obstructed public traffic or annoyed any sick person. The amendments made by the Lagislative Council in the Rating Acts Amendment Bill were agreed to. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Public Trust Office Acts Amendment Bill were agreed to. The Premier moved that the Railways Authorisation and Management Act Amendment Bill, giving power to reclaim land for a site for the goods station at Te Aro, be made an order of the day for committal. On a division the motion was lost. The second reading of the Libel Bill was agreed to. A*Vhen the Bill was committed, Mr Fisher refused to allow it to pro- j eeed, and progress was reported. The Premier moved that the present standing orders of the Bouse continue in operation until the fourteenth day after the commencement of the next session, and no longer, unless otherwise ordered by the House. He said it was recognised that an amendment of the standing orders was necessary. The motion was carried by 80 votes to 19. The Appropriation and Public Works Appropriation Bills were passed through committee. In the latter measure, a division took place on clause 14, anthoi'ising the pay ment of honorarium to the twelve naw members of the Lagislative Council from the date ot their ap pointtnent. The voting was even, 18 on either side, and Mr Guinness gave his casting vote in favour of the clause. The Public Works Appropriation Bill was passed. The House adjourned at 4.5 a.m. till 12 noon.