PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 181, 29 July 1873, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

_From the Wellington Independent."]

House of Representatives.

9000 or thereabouts, who petitioned during the previous session, it is the intention of the Government to bring in any measure to amend the law for licensing public houses in the colony ? Mr Yogel stud it was very clear that the hon member wanted to ascertain the viewa of the Government upon the question — one from which it was impossible to dissociate the hon member's name; for compared with the great and disinterested efforts with which he bnd distinguished himself on this question, all others were small by comparison. While deeply regretting the abuses and misery attending the liquor traffic, ho felt that the Government could not go so far as the hon member desired them to do. The hon member then proceeded to explain the position in which the owners of public houses would be placed by the operation of the permissive clauses of the bill proposed by the For remainder of news see four th page.

INSOLVENCT BILL. Mr. Bathgate, who moved the second reading of this bill, said that the principle on which it was based is that of the existing law— viz., that when a man becomes insolvent, his property belongs to his creditors, who may realise upon it in in such a way as to them may seem best to their advantage. The chief recommendations of the bill were that it was an improvement on previous measures in point of economy and expedition — it saved both timo and money — and so protected the interests of creditors as to prevent collusion on the part of the bankrupt and someone else, and it prevented one creditor taking an undue advantage over another by the appropriation, or the obtaining more than his just share of the insolvent's property. The interests of the insolvent were also carefully provided for, and every facility afforded for enabling him to procure a speedy discharge. In every way the bill provided preventatives to and safeguards from the fraudulent practices which had grown up with tbe working of the old insolvency law, and enabled insolvent estates to be distributed in the most Bpeedy and satisfactory manner. He had no desire, however, to press the bill unduly before the House. In reply to Mr Sheehan, Mr Bathgate said he had no objection to postpone the second reading in order to elicit the opinion of the Chambers of Commerce of tbe colony, though he believed the bill had been sufficiently circulated in quarters from which opinions were desirable. Mr Reynolds said that he knew that the Chambers of Commerce of Dunedin and Canterbury thoroughly approved of the bill. Sir J. C. Wilson, Mr Rolleston, and Mr Clarke hoped that the Government would not postpone the second reading of the bill, as probably no other measure bad been more discussed beforehand, or had received more warm approval. The bill was ordered to be committed that day week. LICNNSING PUBLIC HOUSES. The Hon. Mr Fox asked the Government whether in response to the request of the 17,000 persons who petitioned the House during the last session, and the

hon member for Rangitikei, anfli he felt bound to say that he did not think those clauses at all calculated to bring about tbe result expected by the hon member; indeed, he thought the reverse might be expected. There were, however, directions in which the Government were prepared to go to the full extent with the wisheß of the hon member. In the first instance they were prepared to concur with him regarding adulteration — the retailing of poison j and In that of the granting of licenses by unpaid justices. That system was admitted on all hands not to have worked well. He was inclined to think tbat great reform might be effected in tbe granting of licenses by the assistance of commissioners, who would keep a watchful eye over public houses, and who should have discretionary power to recommend or refuse to recommend the granting of a license; and who should also be expected to make themselves intimately acquainted with the appointments and facilities of public houses generally. He thought the interests of temperance and morality might be promoted by the establishment of working men's clubs, where the working man could get pure liquor. If these ideas were carried out, he thought the present facility of obtaining licenses would be removed; and if there ensued a financial loss to the Provincial Government in consequence — for he believed in the Provincial Governments still retaining the control of public houses and the proceeds arising therefrom — that could be amply met by an increase in the license fee. He trusted the hon member would consider these suggestions when preparing any bill on the subject, as he would thereby secure the co-operation of the Government.