PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4540, 8 October 1875, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, October 7.

The Hon. the Speaker having taken the chair,

Mr. HOLMES asked the Hon. Dr. Pollen whether the Government was m possession of any communication from Sir Penrose Julyan or Mr. Sargeaunt, complaining of the official conduct of Sir Julius Vogel, or declining to hold any personal intercourse with him in business affecting the colony? The Hon. Dr. POLLEN saw no reason for plachi" such a question on the order paper. For the satisfaction of the hon. gentleman, however, he stated that there had been no correspondence except what had already appeared before the House. BAILWAY COMPANIES BILL. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN moved the second reading of this Bill, which provided for the construction of branch lines of railways by private companies, the object being to promote industry and develop the resources of the country. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE supported the measure, and he believed the placing of the power of authorisation in the Governor was a feature in its favor. The Bill was read a second time, and •rdered to be committed presently. NEGLECTED AND CRIMINAL CHILDREN BILL. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN moved that the Neglected and Criminal Children Act Amendment Bill be read a second time. The object of the Bill was to remove an ambiguity resulting from the insertion of the word " nonage," which, in a recent case in Auckland, was held to mean under fifteen years. It was therefore proposed to alter the clause conferring upon the authorities of industrial schools power over their pupils, by substituting for "in their nonage," the words " under twenty-one years of age." The Bill was read a second time. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The above Bill was read a second time, on the motion of the Hon. Dr. Pollen. EVIDENCE FURTHER AMENDMENT BILL. The second reading of the above Bill having been moved by the Hon. Dr. Pollen, The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE took exception to the sth clause, which provides that in criioinalsummaryproceedingSjpunishablebyfine orby fineand imprisonment, the persons charged and their husbands and wives should be competent to give evidence, hut not compellable unless the person charged had voluntarily submitted to examination. He suggested that they should wait until the Imperial Legislature experimented in this direction. He believed the result would be, in many cases, that innocent but nervous persons would commit themselves, while the actual but cool and selfpossessed criminal might give a favorable impression of himself. The brow-beating practice common to lawyers of late years was most objectionable, as it tended to confuse the mind of the witness, and frequently to lead him into error. The examination of criminals, if they were to be examined at all, should be left solely to the Judge. In committee he should propose that the sth clause be struck out. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed presently. I IN COMMITTEE. . The Council went into committee for the consideration of various Bills. Considerable discussion arose with regard to the Piako Land Exchange Bill. The majority of the Council appeared to be antagonistic to the system of exchanging lands. A motion was carried ultimately that progress be reported, and leave was obtained to sit again. The Railway Companies Bill was reported with amendment, and read a third time. The Neglected and Criminal Children Act Amendment Bill was disposed of in a similar manner. ABOLITION BILL. - The Council then went into committee on the Abolition BilL Sir. J. C. L.. RICHARDSON delivered a very able and effective speech in reply to the hon. Dr. Pollen, and especially with regard to that gentleman's remarks touching Sir George Grey. He gave a history of past administration of the colony, and spoke in high terms of the conduct of Sir George Grey while acting as Governor and since. He was quite content to leave it to the verdict of posterity, which he felt confident would be that as Sir George Grey commenced, so did he continue and end. With regard to expressions of opinion favorable to the Abolition Bill, of which so much had been said, he must affirm that he had heard rothing of such unanimous approval of abolition. He had heard no such utterance from a single individual, simply because the people could not see what was to be substituted for the institutions which it was proposed to abolish. He should on a future occasion move for the introduction of a clause, or part of a clause, to this effect—" That there shall be two provinces created, which shall be called the provinces of Munster and Ulster, and which shall be separated by Cook Strait." Nature, he thought, had appointed that such a Bystem of government should exist in this colony by its insular description. He felt sure moreover, when that was fairly put before the colony during the election which was shortly to come on, that there would be but one response. If they were to do away with the local form of government which they had learned to love, though estranged from it for the moment, the voice of the people would be unanimously in favor of insular separation and a federal form of government. (Applause.)

The several clauses of the Bill were then passed without comment, the Chairman was instructed to report the Bill without amendment, which he did on the Speaker resuming the chair, and the third reading was made an order of the day for next day. The Council then adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, October 7. The Speaker took the chair at the usual hour.

NOTICES OF MOTION, &C A number of papers were presented, and notices of motion given. QUESTIONS. In answer to questions, it was stated that the Government did intend to give effect to the recommendation of the Ohinemuri Miners' Bights Committee in reference to the sum of £l5O to be paid to Mr. Adam Porter.—That correspondence with the provincial authorities of Marlborough with reference to the Blenheim and Picton railway should be laid on the table. OKDEKB OP THE DAY. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the "Wellington Tollgate 3 Bill were agreed to. The Wellington Rivers Bill, passed by the Council, was read a first time, and its second reading was ordered for Wednesday. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Goldfields Act Amendment Bill were brought up for consideration. Major Atkinson said he saw no chance of an agreement, and proposed that the present Bill be let drop, and a Bill identical with it in all respects brought up, passed through all its stages, and Bent up to the Council. The House went into committee on the Dunedin Corporation Borrowing Powers Extension and Debentures Bill, which was considered, reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. The report of the committee on the Westland Waste Lands Act Amendment Bill was agreed to, and the Bill itself read a third time and passed. On the question that the House go into committee on the Employment of Females Act Amendment Bill, Mr. Bradshaw protested against the measure, and moved that it be postponed until that day six months. After discussion, a division was taken, resulting in ayes, 25; noes, 22. The amendment was therefore lost, and the House went into committee. —Mr. Reid moved an amendment, making the Act only applicable to woollen and other factories where the motive power was supplied by steam or water, thus retaining the application of the old Act in the case of large clothing factories in towns. The amendment was agreed to.—An amendment, extending the

hours of labor to ten hours, wa3 lost. The hours between which women might be employed for eight hours were fixed at from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. —An amendment of Mr. Reid's, extending the hours to 9 p.m., was ] os t.—A new clause was proposed, enabling saleswomen in retail establishments to work after 2 o'clock on Saturdays, and was carried. —A new clause was proposed by Mr. Bradshaw, setting forth that it should be the duty | of all constables and inspectors under the Act to see that the restrictions imposed on em- ' ployers by the Act were carried out, and to report any departure from the provisions to the nearest Resident Magistrate. The clause was negatived by 24 to 21. —During the discussion on other clauses, Mr. Reynolds expressed the opinion that there should be no restrictions placed on women's work, but that they should be able to work in printing offices, or follow any other avocation they choose. — The Bill was reported with amendments.—On the motion that the report be now considered, a discussion arose, in which Mr. Rolleston characterised the Bill as one of the worst petty pieces of localism which had been ever transacted in the General Assembly.—The report and third readiDg were agreed to, and on the question that the Bill do now pass, Mr. Rolleston called for a division, which resulted as follows :—Ayes, 29 ; noes, 16. The Bill therefore passed. GOLDFIELDS BILL. A long discussion took place on the question whether the Treasurer should be allowed to bring in a Bill giving effect to the amendments made in the Goldfields Bill by the Council. It was explained by the Speaker that the House could not merely agree to the amendments made, but it was necessary to begin de novo, if the House were favorable to the amendments made. The old Bill must be let go altogether, and another introduced in its place giving effect to the Council's amendments.—The Hon. Major Atkinson eventually obtained leave, and the Bill was read a first and second time, and ordered to be committed next day. THE CASE OP PETER ROBERTSON. The select committee on lands having in its report recommended that the House grant £l6O to Peter Robertson by way of compensation, the report was taken into consideration, and a discussion arose as to whether he should have £l6O or £IOO, but on a division on the question that the report be adopted, it was thrown out by 25 to 10. The Speaker said the effect of the division was that Robertson would get nothing. Several members said they had voted under the impression they were giving the lesser sum. OTHER ORDERS OF THE DAY. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Auckland City Endowments and Reserves Bill, and Chi-istclmrch Drainage Bill, were agreed to. The Riddle Land Grant Bill was passed. Mr. DONALD REID moved that certain amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Otago Waste Lands Act, 1872, Amendment Bill be not agreed to, and entered at length into the reasons why the House should not concur in them. —Mr. McGilliyray supported the mover.—Mr. T. L. Shepherd opposed, and called for a division, upon which the motion was carried by 45 to 9.

The Napier Harbor Bill was read a second time.

Sir GEORGE GREY moved the second reading of the Goldmining Districts Act, 1873, Amendment Bill.—Sir Donald McLean said the Government offered no opposition to the second reading of the Bill, but in committee should propose amendments to some clauses which interfere with existing rights.—Second reading agreed to. The Tauranga Reserves Bill was read a second time, and the Municipal Corporations Loan Bill passed through all stages. The Coroner's Act Amendment Bill, the second reading of which was moved by Mr. Pyke, was opposed by the Government, the Hon. Mr. Bowen stating that although a reform in the coroner's law might be necessary it must be a more complete reform than that proposed, and must be considered in a future session. In supporting the Bill Mr. Luckje expressed a hope that the Government would see its way clear shortly to appoint a public prosecutor, which would be the first step towards sweeping away the cumbrous grand jury system. After further discussion, the second reading was agreed to, on the understanding that the hon. member would not press the Bill beyond the second reading this session. Mr. TAIAROA moved the second reading of the Maori Representation Act Amendment Bill, the object of which is to give three additional Maori members. Sir DONALD McLEAN said he did not think the House would agree to this Bill, although he should be disposed to support the addition of one member. He traced the history of this special representation, and said he believed that if in the past Maoris and Europeans had deliberated together in more equal numbers, many millions of money would have been saved, and the present feeling between the two races would be more cordial than it was. But his ideas had not found general favor. Mr. ROLLESTON thought it would be better if the Bill were not pressed, for it was now time that the Maoris should lose their special representation and be represented in the same manner as Europeans.—Mr. Takamoana said the Maoris wanted one thing or another—either a, real power in the House, or else a House of their own. It was in the interests of peace and order that they desired this.—Mr. Andrew opposed the Bill.—Messrs. Katene and Wi Parata supported the Bill, and considered there should be increased Maori representation, so that the Maoris might feel they were able to do something, and to instruct the House in Maori matters, of which Europeans members knew nothing. If this were done many of the land disputes might be satisfactorily settled. Mr. SWANSON thought it would be well if the Government would take steps to increase the number of Maori members, for if a few of the prominent men in the Waikato were in the Assembly, a large number of the Armed Constabulary could be done away with, and much expense saved. Mr. PARATA said he had never been influenced in his actions in or out of the House by any promises held out to him. Mr. TAIAORA having replied, the question was put, and a division taken, which resulted as follows :—Noes, 20 ; ayes, 17. A discussion amso as to whether the House should adjourn or proceed with the Otago Waterworks Bill. A division was taken on the motion to adjourn, which was negatived by 21 to 16. A further division took place as to whether the Otago Waterworks Bill should be postponed, in order to go on with other business. Mr. SHEEHAN moved that the Bill stand over in favor of other Bills. A division was taken on the question, resulting in favor of the noes by 18 to 14. Mr. G. McLEAN moved that the House adjourn, which was carried on a division by 23 to 13. The House adjourned at 1.30 a.m.