PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 406, 4 July 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

Yesterday’s Sitting. The House rose at 2.30. The Wellington Harbour Board Reclamation Bill, the Farriers’ Bill (Mr Major), Municipal Corporations Act, 1900, Amendment Bill No. 2 (Mr Fisher) and Hokitika Harbour Act, 1905, Amendment Bill (Mr Seddon) were read a first: time. On the motion to set up Public Accounts Committee, Mr Massey thought 'the Committee should have power to call for persons and papers. The Colonial Treasurer said he could not agree to give such powers to the Committee. There was no precedent for it. The Prime Minister moved the second reading of the Meikle Acquital Bill. < He reviewed the circumstances of the case, and said bethought that, as an act of justice, the House should pass the Bill. Mr Massey supported the Bill. Mr Hornsby opposed the Bill as introduced, but if the measure were made of a general character, he would withdraw opposition. In the meantime, he moved that the Bill be read a second time six mouths hence. , Messrs Hanan, Herries, Samuel, Laing, Barclay and Izard supported the Bill. Messrs Remington, Ngata, Malcolm, Arnold, Heke, Poole and Hogg opposed it. Some of the latter members explained that they were actuated by a desire for a general Bill. The Prime Minister pointed out that a general Bill was out of the question. The amount of compensation suggested was The Premier said he intended to put the Bill through. On a division Mr Hornsby’s amendment was rejected by 40 to 10, and after a further brief discussion, the second reading was carried by 41 to ro, and committal set down for next sitting day. The Premier moved the second reading of the Incorporated Societies Bill, designed to make more adequate provision for the incorporation, control and dissolution of societies to which it related. The second reading was carried on the voices. On the Premier’s motion the second reading of the Accountants Bill was agreed to. The Bill provided for the training and examining of members, but places no restrictions on non-members, of the Society, and permits members of Incorporated Societies outside the Dominiou to be admitted, without examination. The second reading of the Secret Commissions Bill, on the motion of the Premier, was agreed to. The chief- provisions are that agents are not permittted to receive secret bribes from third persons, nor are the latter permitted,to give such bribes. Hon. J. McGowan moved the second reading of the Coroners’ Amendment Bill, permitting a coroner to hold an inquest without a jury, unless he thought a jury desirable, 'or the Attorney-General ordered it. After a brief discussion, the second reading was carried.