PARLIMENTARY NEWS.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 7, 24 July 1894, Page 4

PARLIMENTARY NEWS.

HOUSE op REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday July 18. AUCKLAKD SUGAR COMPANY. Replying to Mr Lowry, with regard to the difficulty between the Tax Commissioner and the Auckland Sugar Company, Hon Mr Ward said the Government would not be a party to injure any industry in the colony, but he must say the facts as stated in the Press telegram were not correct, nor was the position of affairs as stated by the Sugar Company. STBATPOBD COURTHOUSE. In replying to a question by Mr McGuire, regarding the erection of a new Courthouse at Stratford, The Hon Mr Seddon said that owing to the extensive demands for road work the expenditure had been twothirds heavier this year than for several years past. The Lands and Public,Works Departments were paying away money to the amount of about £20,000 a month for road and other similar works, and while this was the case the Courthouses and such works would have to stand aside for a little time. FAIB KENT QUESTION". In order to frame a Fair Rent Bill it was necessary to treat all the parties fairly, and the Government had not sufficient information before them to warrant the introduction of such a Bill this session. TARIFF COMMITTEE. The Hon Mr Seddon, in reply to Captain Russell said the setting up of a Tariff Committee would not delay the Financial Statement, which would be brought down not later than Tuesday. WOMEN LEGISLATORS. In reply to Dr Newman, the Premier said the Government could not take up Parliamentary Disabilities of Women Abolition Bill as a Government measure. Thursday, July 19. FENNY POST. Replying to Mr Buddo, The Hon Mr Ward said the House had already authorised the penny post system throughout New Zealand, and it would be brought into force by Order-in-Council whenever it was thought advisable. AMENDED COUNTIES ACT. ■ Replying to Mr Meredith, The Hon Mr Seddon said it would depend on the progress of business whether an amended Counties Act would be brought in this session to reduce the maximum number of votes exercisable by one person in the election of local bodies, but the Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill contained proposals in tbis direction. UNEMPLOYED. Replying to Captain Russell, The Hon Mr Seddon said Parliament would be asked to pass a vote for farm settlements, which it was hoped would reduce the ranks of the unemployed. The Government scheme for providing work for the unemployed was not perfect, but it was gradually being improved at present. But there was an extraordinary condition of affairs, and it was impossible for the Government to find work for everyone in the colony. All they could do was to find employment for men on reproductive works, for which Parliament had made appropriation. NATIVE LANDS. Replying to Mr W. M. Kelly, The Hon Mr Seddon said since the passing of the Native Land Acquisition Act of last session natives had offered their land so willingly that there was no occasion to bring an Act into force. LOCAL BILLS. Several local Bills werj advanced a stage. women's political eights. Mr G. W. Russell moved the second reading of the Women's Political Rights Bill, making women eligible to hold any public office or position to which man may be appointed. He strongly urged the necessity for such a measure. No discission took place on the Bill, and tbo motion was lost on division by 41 to 18. STANDING ORDERS. Mr Seddon moved tbat the report of the committe on the new Standing Orders be adopted, but Opposition members strongly objected to this course, on the ground that they hal not yet seen a printed copy of the amended orders. Eventually the speaker interposed, and said that as it had been found impossible to have the amended Standing Orders ready t» be in members's hands that evening, and as he himself had not had time to revise them, he thought the Premier's motiou should be deferred till next day. This suggestion was adopted. Friday, July 20. COUNTRY LIBRARIES. Only for the great drain at present on the Treasury the Premier stated the Government would like to subsidise small country libraries. railways. The Railway Commissioners state they are prepared to make such arrangements for Wellington, Napier, and Taranaki service as will accelerate traffic provided the Manawatu Company will put on trains to meet it. LICENSING FEES. Mr Cadmaa stated the Government intended bringing in a Bill to amend the Alcoholic Liquors Bill to settle the dispute about receipt of license fees amongst the local bodies. CONDEMNED FIRST, TRIED AFTER. The Public Petitions Committee find that E. J. Jackmau, late excise officer, was compulsority retired because of assertions wrongfully made on his' character. They recommend that hr be p-»id €2OO in full satisfaction of all chains. AGE OF CONSENT. The Couucil compromised the difficulty over the age of consent by fixing the age at fifteen years. At present it stands a* fourk-cn.