PARLIAMENTARY

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2090, 3 December 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

[ls v Tklkgkaph.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, Dkc. 2. xi long discussion took place on the petition of the late Chief Surveyor for Wellington, but nothing was done. Sir F. D. I3ell gave notice to move — “That this Council deem Sir Julius Vogel justified in believing he had the Government sanction to join the Laud Company.” Mr Whitaker notified the introduction of a measure to prevent indecencies in theatres.

Aii Imprest Bill for L 250,000 was passed. A number oE important measures advanced a stage either in Council or Committee. HOUSE OE BEEB E SEN TATI A'E S. Tuesday, Dec. 2. Mr Downic Stewart presented a petition from the licensed victuallers of Otago, praying that the duty on spirits do not exceed 13s per gallon, and that spirits in bond be not exempted from the operation of the property lax. In reply to Mr George, the Native Minister said no reward had been ottered for the capture of Iloriki ; also, that the Government considered it necessary in the meantime to keep the A.C. force on the AVest Coast, but expected that the necessity would shortly pass away. Be plying to Mr Eishcr, Mr Hall said the Government did not see their way clear to provide on the supplementary .'estimates for suitable accommodation for His Excellency when he visited Christchurch or Dunedin. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply being put, a motion was made for the recommittal of the EsHr"-.>tcs for the purpose of reconsidering proposal to reduce the amount to be paid as honorarium. Major Atkinson proposed the sum as

originally printed be passed. It was explained that the 10 per cent, deduction on the previous occassion reduced the item to £20,525 3s 2d. A division was taken, when the proposal that the original sum be passed was carried by 36 to 26. An Imprest Supply Bill was granted for £250,000. The Land Act was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, Amendment Bill was committed. A motion was made that workmen’s wages should be protected as a preferential claim for a period of two months. Mr Andrews maintained that a provision of the kind was liable to abuse, inasmuch as preferential claims of that kind were found to swallow up the available assets of small estates in liquidation. Mr I)c Lautour showed that the expunging of a provision of the kind would be a hardship both to workmen and employers. Good workmen stuck to employers, even though they might bo a few weeks in arrears. If fins provision were expunged the effect would bo that employers of that particular class would be debarred from carrying on operations. The clause as printed was put and carried. [Bv Tm.KOHAi’Ji.] The House sac till 3.15 this morning in Committee on various bills. Nothing important was done.