PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4766, 1 July 1876, Page 3

PARLI AMENT.

legislative council. Friday, June 30. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at two o’clock. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN moved that the above Bill be read a second time. He explained that its object was to consolidate ana amend the laws relating to friendly societies m the colony, which requiced'considerable amendments in various directions. He would before this have attempted to remedy the existing want of proper administration by introducing a new Bill the session before last, but it was then known that a commission in England was 7 making; inquiries into the condition of the ' - friendly societies there, and was almost certain there would be legislation iu the Imperial Parliament on this subject; therefore, - it was thought well to wait and follow in the steps of. the Imperial Parliament. That was 1 what was now proposed, the-present Bill, being as nearly as possibly a transcript of the Act passed by the Imperial Parliament last session, with certain necessary alterations to make it suited to this colony. The principal changes proposed to be effected by the Bill were of an administrative character. It was proposed that a registrar should be appointed by the Governor, and such person might hold that office in connection with any other office which the Governor deemed to be not incompatible with the office of registrar, and means would be taken to provide the assistance of an actuary to assist in preparing tables of statistics and forth, for the information of the public and instruction of the societies themselves. It was also proposed t© appoint a revising barrister, whose duty it would be to peruse the rules and alterations and amendments of rules of such societies. He would not, however, refer to each of the clauses, as members had doubtless made themselves acquainted with the proi isions of the Bill He then referred to the communications received from the various friendly societies, making certain suggestions as to amendments. In some parts of the colony, notably Napier, objections were raised to certain of its prolusions, but generally speaking approval of the Bill was expressed. After some discussion, The Hon. Dr. POLLEN, in reply to Major Richmond said the suggested amendments (of which he laid a number on table) would receive the fullest consideration in committee. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Tuesday next. The Hon. Mr. HABT gave notice,—That on the Building Societies Bill coming on for its third reading it be recommitted, for the purpose of considering a clause prohibiting in societies to be hereafter constituted the practice of disposing of the privilege of realising shares by competition. WELLINGTON RIVERS BILL. The above Bill was read a second time, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. "Waterhouse, passed through committee and all its stages. DEED, y-SUPERINTENDENT 0? WELLINGTON BILL. ’ This Bill was read a second time, passed through committee without amendment, and was read a third time and passed. The Council adjourned at half-past 3 o’clock. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, June 30. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30. PETITIONS AND NOTICES. Several petitions were presented and notices given. questions. In answer to questions various members of the Government stated that no correspondence had been received in, reference to a petition, from South Rakaia, Canterbury, asking for increased railway accommodation ; that the report of commissioners appointed to consider the question for compensation of the tramway proprietors in Westland, would he laid on the table; that the Government intended to make amendments in the Public Health Act, but the Bill was not ready, and as some of the machinery for giving effect to it would depend upon the fate of other Bills, it would not be brought down until after those Bills were introduced—the Bill would meanwhile be proceeded with, and as soon as completed distributed ; that the Government intend to bring down a Bill relating to public works, iu which Government, as railway carriers, would recognise their responsibility to private individuals who were injured by accident crowing to the negligence of servants. new bills. The following bills were introduced and read a first time, and second readings fixed ; —By the Government — Education Boards Bill; Registration of Electors Act 1876 Repeal Bill; Debtors and Creditors Bill ; Coroners Act Amendment Bill; Stamp Act Amendment Bill; Waste Lands Bill, By the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel—Wanganui Harbor Board Bill. By Mr. Lusk—Auckland Waterworks Act Amendment Bill; Hawke’s Bay Rivers Bill. DIPBEST SUPPLY. A resolution, that supply he granted to Her Majesty, having been passed through committee and reported, The Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL introduced an Imprest Supply Bill for half a million. It was read a first time, and second reading fixed for Tuesday. The mover explained that he proposed to ask the House to pass the Bill through all stages on Tuesday afternoon, so that the House might go into Committee of Ways and Means on Tuesday evening, when the Financial Statement would be made. STANDING ORDERS AMENDMENT. All the amendments proposed by the Standing Orders Committee were agreed to. On the question whether the house should take new business after half-past 12, the House divided, ■with the following result: —For the proposal, 49 ; against, 22. A long discussion then took place as to whether a new standing order in reference to strangers, recommended by the committee, should be adopted. Ultimately it was passed in the following form,; —“ Strangers may at any time during debate be ordered to withdraw either from the body of the House or the galleries, on a motion, without notice, to that effect being put and earned, but no amendment or debate shall be allowed on that question; and in his own discretion, Mr. Speaker may at any time order strangers to withdraw either from the body of the House or the gallery.” Ou the House resuming, A telegram was read by Sir Julius Vogel, to the effect that the New South Wales Government had made arrangements to charter the Simoon to carry telegrams between J ava and Fort Darwin, and so soon as it was definitely arranged, particulars would be forwarded. QUESTION OP SUPPLY. The House went into Committee of Supply, on a resolution for imprest supply of an amount not exceeding £500,000. The resolution was passed. On the Speaker resuming the chair, the Chairman of Committees reported to the House, and the resolution was confirmed. IMPREST SUPPLY BILL. A Bill in connection with the resolution passed as above, was introduced, read a first time, and, on the motion of Sir Julius Vogel, , ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday. CANTERBURY RAILWAYS. Mr. WASON moved for all correspondence between the Provincial Government of Canterbury and the Colonial Government as to the break in gauge on the Canterbury railways ; as to the course which it is intended to adopt for the future with regard to a uniform gauge in the province ; and in respect to the general arrangements purposed to be made at side, and more especially terminal, stations. The Hon. Mr. RICHARDSON said there had been some correspondence on the subject, and of the most amicable nature. The Superintendent had applied for informamation to the Engineer-in-Chief as to the management of the Christchurch and Lyttelton stations’; but as’the reports were of a purely departmental character, ho failed to see that the production of the few papers there were, would be of any 'particular use. If however the hon. gentleman particularly de-

sired that those papers should be placed on the table, the Government would offer no objection. Some discussion followed on the system of management of the Canterbury railways. Ultimately the motion was carried. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE. Mr. REYNOLDS moved, and it was agreed to, —That he be relieved from serving on the Public Accounts Committee. The [Hon. Sir JULIUS VOGEL moved that the name of Mr. Macfarlane be added to the Public Accounts Committee. Carried. OTHER COMMITTEES. The following motions, moved by Mr. O’RORKE, were carried:—That the Joint Committee of Standing Orders on Private Bills be appointed for the session. To consist of Mr. Brandon, Mr. Montgomery, and the mover. That the Committee of Selection be appointed for the session. To consist of Mr. Brandon, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Moorhouse, Mr. Rees, and the mover. That the following members be appointed to the Joint Committee on Private Bills, to consider and .report respecting every Bill that may bo referred to them by either House upon the question, whether it be a Private Bill or not. To consist of Mr. Brandon, Mr. Button, and the mover. The House then adjourned.