HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 147, 22 June 1881, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30. Mr Dick presented a petition from the Otago Bible ip Schools Society that pro*

vision be made for Scripture reading in the schools. Mr Pitt gave notice that he would move the introduction of a clause into the Licensing Bill providing compensation for loss of licenses. The Post Office Acts Consolidation Bill was. introduced by a message from the Governor and read the first time. Replying to questions, Ministers stated \ that the Government did not intend introducing a Bill providing for compensation for losses incurred by subjects of both races during the past recess.— -The official designation of High Commissioner of the Western Pacific was a descriptive personal title and it was customary for a Governor to be desig nated by his titles preceding the mention of tho office by virtue of which he signed any official documents. Thus in documents relating to the Pacific islands the title of Governor of New Zealand took precedence of the other. — Arrangements would be made for the fortnightly payment of all wages in the railway department. — The wages of platelayers aud laborers on eel-tain of the Now Zealand railways had been re-adju9ted in I accordance with the current market rates. The reduction caused thereby did not exceed j from 10 to lfl per cent — Government would take into consideration the necessity of introducing a Bill for In endowments with waste lands of Hospitals and Charitable Institutions, similar to that intr- diced last session by Mr Stevenß. — The provisions of the law would be strictly enforced against the introduction of small pox from the Australian colonies. — Government would, if time permitted, reintroduce the Town Districts Bill of last session. — Government proposed introducing a local Public Works Bill, the provisions of which would ba more ample than the Bill of last session.— Step3 had been, and would continue to be, taken with the view of Carrying out the recommendations of the Industries Commission re assistance to be given in the development of coal, gold, iron, and other minerals on the west coast of the Middle Island. — Enquiries would be uiads relative to the best means and the probable coat of improving the outer harbor at Nelson in respect to any iujury resulting from the Waimea river changing its course. On the motion for reporting the Chinese Immigration Bill Mr Reeves moved that the Bill be recommitted in order tint the £10 penalty be increased to £50. Major Atkinson objected to the amendment which was negatived on a division by 35 to 23. The Bill was re id the third time and passed. | The Licensing Bill was further considered in Committee. On clause 31 relating to bottle licenses, Mr Swanaon moved that the clause be struck out. Mr Stewart moved a further provision that these licenses ba restricted to the Provincial district withiu which they are at present granted, Mr Btewart'a anlsndrilenfc w&3 carried on a division by 37 to 27. Mr Tole moved a further amendment that no licensee be allowed to carry on any other business within t le premises so licensed. The House divided : — Ayes : 39. Noes 28. A motion to report progress was rejected by 53 to 11. The House rose for dinner at 5.30 p-m. Wednesday. The, Licensing Bill was resumed in Committee. • Clause 31 providing for bottle licenses was ultimately negatived without a division. Clauie 3% providing for New Zealand wine licenses was passed after a discussion. Mr Dick, in tefprtncß to a generally expressed opinion, withdrew Cause 33 for billiard table licenses. Clause 34 for packet licenses was passed. On Clause 35 for wholesale licenses Mr Andrews moved to alter the minimum quantity from two gallons to one bottle. Lost on a division by 33 to 23. On Mr Trimbje's amendment, the words requiring the two gallons to be of one description of liquor were struck out. Mr Barron moved an addition to the clause allowing sales by the bottle on the payment of an additional license fee, but was ruled out of order. Mr Luodon n 6 red! a proviso restricting wholesale to towns and boroughs. Lost on a division by 32 to 29. On Clause 36, for additional licenses, Mr Bowen moved to alter the maximum cur rency of such license from 7 to 3 days. Mr Pitt objected, alluding to the Rifle Association camp, which lasted ] over seven days. Sir W. Fox urged the abolition of all canteens. The Cause was pasted as printed. Clause 37, providing for midnight license* and additional bars, the former on payment of an additional £10, and the latter one-third of the license fbr every additional bar, was passed. Clauses 39 to 42 inclusive were passed with verbal amendments. These provide bb follows: — 39, for the amount of accommodation required in public houses within boroughs; 40, for the requirements of houses outside boroughs ; 41, for quarterly licensing meetings to be bold ; 42, for one month's notice of such meetings to be given. Clause 43, providing for applications to be heard in open Court, was postponed. Clauses 44 and 45, providing that licensing meetings may be adjourned; and regulations for the conduct of business before Licensing Committees, were passed. On Clause 46, restricting local option to new licenses, Sir W. Fox moved the omission of the word " new." Mr Saunders, as a member of the Te mper«nce party, urged them to be content with having got local option to the fullest extent in elective Licensing Benches, and urged them not to endanger the. Bill altogether by asking for too much. After a brief discussion, the amendment was negatived on the voices, and the clause was passed with the proviso that Clubs existing on the Ist June last should continue after the Ist January until they had the opportunity of obtaining a license. The Clauses (local option) up to 60, were passed with verbal amendments. Clause 62 waß postponed. Progress was then reported and the House roße at 12 5 a.m.