HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 150, 25 June 1881, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Friday night. The House met at 2 30. Mr Fulton gave notice that he would ask if the Government intended bringing down a measure for the ihoro effective suppression of wife desertion, thereby preventing women so deserted becoming chargeable on the Colony. Sir G. Grey gave notice that he would, on the 30th instant, bring down a hieasure for Local Self Government. Replying to questions put, it was stated that the Government had under consideration the propriety of introducing this session an Amended Qualification of Electors' Act, 1879, in the direction of giving rotes to leaseholders and ratepayers. — The existing land Act gave full power to open land in Canterbury. All lands now held Under pastoral lease would fall in in May, 1882. For pastoral and deferred payment purposes, plans and reports on these lands were in course of being prepared, and when these were completed fuller explanations as to the intentions of the Government would bs given.-^-Government did not intend introducing a Native Land Sale Bill this session, but some suoh measure would probably be brought in next session. The following Bills were introduced and read the first time: — Bill to make provision for regulating and conducting election of members of House of Representatives, Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill (lion Mr Johnston); Maaterton and Greytown Lands Management Act, 1878, Amendment (Hon. Mr Dick). The Licensing Bill was further considered in Committee. ' A motion by M> Turnbull that licensing fees be made Colonial instead of lecal revenues was lost on a division of 5 to 54 A motion "by Mr Murray that packet licenses be treated as Colonial revenue, and not the revenue of the locality by which the license was issued, was also lost. Clause 126 was, on a motion by Sir W. Fox, altered to read, " No woman other than licensee shall be employed in the bar of a licensed bouse more than eight hours each day " ; and on the motion of Mr Bowen it was agreed that no female, except as aforesaid, shall, with or without her consent, be employed in the bar after 10 p.m. On Clause 129, Sir W. Fox moved that tea, coffee, &0., should be supplied at all times at bars of licensed bouses, but this was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. < The House resumed at 7 30 p.m. i The amendment of Clause 129 in Licensing ; Bill regarding tea, coffee, &c, at all bars, was negatived on the voices. Mr Levestam moved a further amendment rendering it compulsory to Bupply liquor as well as meals or lodging, unless with a valid excuse. The ; amendment waa negatived by 32 to 25. The Clause passed. Clauses up to 134 were passed. On 134, SirW. Fox moved an amendment to prevent publicans cashing cheqneß unless drawn by the person supplied. He referred to certain classes of publicans who kept men's cheques until they wore sweated out, or alleged to be exhausted by the score run up. Amendment negatived on voices. Mr J. B. Fisher moved an addition, which is calculated to prevent the evils complained of, by providing that no licensee should receive payment in advance for any liquor, and that any money so received might be recovered, even if the liquor had been supplied. On Cleme 154, Mr Sutton moved an amendment in favor of opening houses on Sundays from one to two in the afternoon, and from eight to ten at night. It was strongly opposed by Sir W. Fox, and negatived on the voices. Saturday. The Licjnaiog Bill continued. Mr Murray moved au amendment that all public bouses within a mile of any, polling booth should be closed on eleptiou doys.

The amendment was withdrawn after a dis* cussion during which Sir W. Fox suggested the propriety of all elections for local bodies in a district faking place on the same day, as in America. Col. Rusßell proposed an amendment fo exempt clubs from having to close at 10 o'clock on week nights and all day Sundays. After a discussion the amendment was withdrawn and the clause passed on the understanding that the Bill would be recommitted for further ton eider at ion of the whole question of Club licenses Mr Bowen 'moved the insertion of the words " 10 miles" in place of "3 miles" in tbe clause defining bona fide travellers. Negatived by 33 to 18, Snveral amendments tfefe propossd in other clauses but hone of an important nature were made; Those making complaints about habitual drunkards being heard in private instead of in open Court were negatived. Mr Ba9ting9, believing that time was only being wasted over the Bill which wou d never pass, moved that the Ch&irman leave the chair; The Premier Btrongly opposed tbe abandonment of such a valuable measure, and Sir W. Fox also opposed, the proposal, which was supported by Mr B\arron. The motion v/os negatived, i After further discussion Clauses 168 to 229, the last, were agreed to. Progress was reported aud the House rose at 12 80 a. tn, During the silting the Premier said the Government could not consent to any adjournment of the House to enable members to attend tbe Dunedin Exhibition, but if any considerable number wished to go the Hinemoa would' be placed at their disposal.