PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5140, 13 September 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, September "12. PETITIONS. The Hon. Air. FOX presented a number of petitions in favor of the Local Option Bill. Captain KENNY presented a petition from a number of Roman Catholics against the religious clauses of the Education Bill. SAVINGS BANK ACT. In reply to Air. Dignan, the Hon. Alajor Atkinson stated that it was not the intention of the Government to introduce during the present session any measure relating to the amendment of the Savings Bank Act, ' QUESTION. Mr. ROLLESTON, in the absence of Air. Travers, asked the Commissioner of Customs, —Whether it is the intention of the Government to connect the lighthouse on The Brothers with the main land by a telegraph wire? The Hon. DONALD REID stated, in replg, that although it was.most desirable to have all the lighthouses connected by telegraph, yet in many cases the cost would be so great that at present it would be hardly justifiable to incur the expense. BILLS INTRODUCED. The Dunedin Reserves Bill (Mr. Larnach), the Dunedin Gas and Waterworks Bill (Mr. Larnach), the Lawrence Alunicipal Reserves Leasing Bill (Mr. J. O. Brown.) EMPLOYMENT OF LOCAL INDUSTRIES ON PUBLIC WORKS. Mr. BURNS, in an able and exhaustive speech, moved, —That Government be requested to call for tenders within the colony for any further rolling stock and other plant required for railway purposes ; also, for any timber and iron piles and other iron and wood work required for bridges, wharves, and all other public works in course of construction by Government, or by contractors under Government ; also, for any iron or wooden ships of any class, dredges, lighters, & 0., required for the public service of the colony ; and that a clause be inserted in every specification giving sufficient time for the execution and delivery of the first article required. Air, SHEEHAN moved the insertion of the words “ and the Government shall take steps to use New Zealand coal instead of imported coal on Government railways, and in all offices and institutions under Government control.”

The Hon. Mr. ORMOND, in replying, said the question was one of the greatest importance to the colony, and the bon. member was quite right in bringing it forward. The Government had already advanced considerably towards carrying out the object desired by the motion. The engineers were instructed some time ago in the matter, and were at present engaged in preparing estimates to be submitted to. the Government. The object of this was to enable the Government to call for tenders in advance of the period when the material would he required. The engineers have been also requested to state what portion of the rolling stock can be manufactured in the colony, the Government acting upon its own opinion iu the matter. There was one class of locomotives that the Government could not at present get made in the colony. The Government desired to have as much of the work as possible done in the country. With regard to the other portion of the motion, referring to other articles, the Hon. Mr. Ormond said that it would be the endeavor of the Government to utilise as much as possible the natural products of the country. With regard to some of the timbers imported for public works, they had not proved as durable as the New Zealand timbers. In the case of jarrah piles, used in Hawke’s Bay along with totara, it was found after nine or ten months that the jarrah iu certain positions was injured by the effects of toredo, while the totara, which had remained in use for years, was perfectly sound. It was said that the toredo only worked a certain distance into the wood, and did no further harm, so that at present the Government had no absolute evidence as tO’the durability of the one over the other. With regard to the remark made by the hon. member for Eoslyn respecting the bad quality of certain railway material, the Hon. Mr. Ormond stated that all the railway material imported into the colony had been subject to the strictest inspection by engineers at Home prior to shipment. In reference to the Dunedin graving dock he' would say distinctly that it was not tho intention of the Government to use the Government

workshops unduly. The Government quite recognised that the system of calling for public tenders was a better way, although more should be paid than the imported article would cost; still the effect of competition would tend towards bringing things to a fair price. Speaking to the amendment of the hou. member for Rodney, he said it had the entire sympathy of the Government so far as it could be carried out. But where other than the New Zealand coal could be got suitable and cheaper, it would not be desirable for the Government to incur unnecessary expense. Air. AIACANDREW was perfectly satisfied that if the matter were depending on the reports of the engineei's of the colony nothing would come of it. The Government should at once give explicit instructions to do everything that could be done for having the necessary material manufactured in the colony, even though it were at a little greater cost. He would th refore move, as an addition to the original motion, the insertion of the words “ and further, that all orders on the way to England for the Public Works Department for manufactured articles that could be produced in the colony be countermanded by telegram, and tenders for their production in the colony be called for.” The Hon. Mr. ORMOND opposed the last amendment. Mr. TRAVERS would support the motion ; but he trusted the Government would not sacrifice the public interests by gaining popularity through calling for tenders in the manner indicated in the motion. Mr. J. C. BROWN thought every encouragement should be given to the establishment of local manufactories. Ho would support the motion.

The Hon. Air. RICHARDSON entirely agreed with the motion of the hon. member for Roslyn (Air. Burns). The course the Government had taken, as stated by the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, was as much as the House could be asked to do at present. Air. LARNACH would accept the course adopted by the Government; but be thought it should go further and provide that henceforth the material required would not be imported. Air. BASTINGS urged strongly the importance of using the New Zealand coal instead of imported coal. He concluded by stating he had full confidence that the Government would act upon the course they stated. Air. MACANDREW’S amendment was put, and a divisl m called for, when it was lost by a majority of 13. Air. STOUT moved to the effect that in all specifications for rolling stock and other material for public works that can be manufactured in the colony it should be stated that they be so manufactured. The Hou. Air. ORaiOND opposed the amendment proposed by Mr. Stout. Air. J. 0. BROWN supported the amendment. A division was called for :—Aves, 27 ; noes, 28.

DECEASED wife’s SISTER MARRIAGE BILL. Dr. HODGKINSON, in introducing the Bill, pointed out that ou former occasions when the measure was brought before the House the religious element provoked very considerable debate. The evils that had been dreaded from 1 the passing into law of such a Bill were quite imaginary. A number of arguments from eminent authorities were put forward by the hon. member in charge of the Bill strongly in favor of such a law being passed. He thought the argument that had been advanced against the Bill setting forth that should it become law, it would lessen the social intercourse between the wife and sister, was quite groundless. In limited portions of society such might happen. As to what had been said of the evils that would arise from such marriages, he considered they were the offspring of sentimentality and a prurient imagination. It had been said by those who opposed such ,a Bill that it would tend to abolish sisters-in-law. In the New England States, where this law prevails, it has never been heard that sisters-in-law have been abolished. The notion that sisters-in-law would be abolished was preposterous and extravagant. It had also been contended that as the sister bore the same relation to the wife as she did to- the husband, the relaxation of the law would destroy this feeling. If the argument should be accepted the, principle would go so far as to convert a man’s mother-in-law into a mother. He would refrain from touching upon the religious aspect of the question. The hon. member then proceeded 'to 1 quote from high ecclesiastioarauthorities, who saw no objection to the law either on social or religious grounds. With respect to the opposition (hat might be expected from the Roman Catholic section of the community, Cardinal Wiseman had said that those marriages were not prohibited, but the matter was for ecclesiastical discipline. In the Presbyterian Churches a variety of opinions existed on the subject. In other Churches those marriages were often considered very desirable. Considering the weight of the religious testimony, and the practical experience that had been obtained on the subject, he trusted hon. members would not shrink from voting for the Bill. In conclusion, he hoped the voice of reason, humanity, and justice would prevail. He could conceive nothing more intolerable or selfish than, a small and select class of society, in the face of, the opinions of men of the' highest character, endeavoring to prevent such a measure from becoming law. Dr. WALLIS opposed the second reading of the Bill. He considered the Bill, If carried into law, would have the effect of demoralising a large section of society. The Bill, he said, was always turning up, and over and over again it had been turned out. The question involved in such a law was quite a political one. The effect of such a law would put all the sisters of all the.wives in the colony in a false position in order to gratify the vitiated taste of a few wanton widowers.

Mr. BARIT thought that at the present time there was no necessity for it. In England the subject received much attention, for there the object to be attained was to legitimise bastards. He felt assured that the arguments put forth by the bon. member who just sat down would be sufficient to convince the House of the propriety of throwing the Bill out. The Bill passed the second reading. Ayes, 41 ; noes, 23. OTHER BILLS. The second reading of the Provincial and County Libraries Bill was postponed until next Wednesday., The Auckland Foreshore Sale Bill passed the second reading, and was ordered to be committed on Wednesday next. The Canterbury Reserves Act Amendment Bill was postponed for a week. The Christchurch City Reserves Bill was further considered in committee, and postponed for a week. The Port Chalmers Mechanics’ Institute Bill was considered in committee, amended, and passed its third reading. LOCAL OPTION BILL. The Local Option Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 9 was so amended as to increase the power of the chairman. Clause 12 was so amended as to require two-thirds of the qualified voters, instead of a simple majority, in favor of adopting the prohibitory clauses of the Bill. Clause 13 was so altered as to further provide against knowing and wilful impersonation in the matter of voting. Progress 'was reported, and the. Bill was ordered to be further committed on Wednesday next. sharebrokers’ act repeal bill. Oii the motion of Mr. Swanson the debate was adjourned until Wednesday next. The House then went into committee on the Tapanui Pastoral and Agricultural Association Bill, and adjourned at 12.35.