PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2611, 3 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, August 2. LICENSING RILL. Mr Whitaker gave notice to strike out all the clauses concerning clubs, and to insert a series of new clauses far more favorable to clubs than those in the Bill as it came from the Lower House. Several minor amendments were made anl there was an animated debate on clause 12, providing for an Elective Licensing Bench, Mr Miller moved its rejection, but the elective principles wore cairied by 19 to 9, , For the elective principles—Messrs Acland, Brett, P. Buckley, Chamberlain, Dignan, Fraser, Grace, Henderson, Holmes, G. Johnson, Martin, Menzies, Peacock, Pharazyn, Scotland, Waterhouse, Whitaker, Williamson, and Wilson voted ; and for the nominative system —Messrs Lahmann, Miller, Nurse, Peter, Pollen, Reynolds, Richmond, and Wood. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NEW RILLS. Mr Hall gave notice that he would ask leave to introduce the Railway Constructions Bill. Mr Dick gave notice (hat ho would ask leave to introduce the Town Dis trials Bill. THE TEN I’EU CENT REDUCTION. Sir George Grey gave notice that he

would ask if the ten per cent reduction had been made from civil servants’ salaries last month, and, if so, by what authority. MONEYS -PAID TO ME W. L. BEES. A communication was read from the Auditor-General stating that the sum of £3O, illegally paid to Mr W. L. Rees, had not been refunded. READJUSTMENT OF REPRESENTATION. Mr Hall moved for leave to introduce a Bill to readjust the representation of the people. Mr Barron moved as an addition—- “ That it be a recommendation to Government in framing the Bill that the present number of representatives should not be exceeded.” Mr Hall said that the unusual circumstances nnder which the amendment was proposed, as also its unusual character, compelled him to suggest that it should not be pressed, for if it was it would be hardly doing justice to the amendment itself. It was one requiring debate and consideration, that could be best given on the second reading cf the Bill. Mr Brown, spoke in favor of the amendment being pressed. Instead of increasing the number of members, he thought it would be very wise to reduce it to, say, sixty, instead of the number returned-at present. Mr Bowen thought great injustice would arise from having too few representatives.

Mr Levestam objected to the opinion of a district caucus being thus used to influence Government in preparing its measures.

Mr Macandrew denied that the intention was to influence Government by a district caucus. The whole framework of the Bill would, ho apprehended, depend upon the number of members to be provided for. Mr Shephard without committing himself in any way, denied that an increase in the number of representatives would be necessary.

Mr Moss contended that if the Government was strong enough to establish an efficient system of local government, forty members would bo quite sufficient for that House. Mr Andrews would oppose the amendment, so as to get the Bill before them as soon as possible. Sir George Grey suggested, if the Government would accept it, that the debate should be adjourned. The amendment had taken many of them by surprise. He moved a motion to that effect.

Mr Hall opposed the adjournr&ent, reiterating that the present was not the proper time to discuss the point. That had been shown by the whole tone of the debate. MrDeLautour did not think that the Government would allow any alteration to bo made if once the Bill was brought down. This was the only opportunity they would have of guiding the Government in framing this Bill. Mr Montgomery was opposed to an increase in the number of members, but he objected to the amendment being forced at this time.

Mr Sheehan thought that eightyeight members were sufficient for the work. Still he was not prepared to reduce the number as had been proposed. The amendment was negatived by 40 to 22, and the Bill was read a first time.

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The House then went into Committee of Supply to consider the Estimates. Class five —Postal and Telegraphic, £227,640.

Mr Johnston said that by the amal gamation of these two services they had been enabled to dispense with the services of 31 officers. The saving in salaries alone was £5931, and in other respects the saving had been equally great, In all they had been enabled to bring down a sum this year less by £37,000 compared with those of previous years. That saving had been effected without impairing the efficiency of the service. Messrs Sheehan and Turnbull and Sir George Grey complained that, as the Estimates had only been'in the hands of members for a couple of hours, they should not be gone on with until time had been allowed for their perusal. The form of having the whole class as one vote was also objectionable. In reply to a question put by Mr Montgomery, Mr Johnston said that the ten per cent, reductions had been practically abandoned, but reductions had been otherwise made. In accordance with the circumstances of each case the salaries had been fixed at what was fair, and would be paid so. Mr Stewart moved that progress be reported. He blamed the Government for attempting to force the Estimates upon such a very short notice. Mr Hall said it was a mistake to say that the Government attempted to force on the Estimates. If desired the Government would not object to the postponement. The question for reporting progress wbs then put and carried at 9.55 p.m.

INSPECTION OF MACHINERY BILL. The Inspection of Machinery Bill was introduced by Message from the Legislative Council, and read a first lime. GAMING AND LOTTERIES BILL. This Bill was further considered in Committee. Mr Dick moved the addition of the following amendments : After paragraph one, section 8, “ every person who uses, exhibits, or keeps any book, paper, writing, or other means or substance for the purpose of entering, recording, or noting any bet, wager, or game for any purpose by this Act declared to be unlawful, or who invites, solicits, or procures any person to bet or make any wager, or enter into such game as aforesaid, shall be liable to the penalties prescribed by this section.

Mr McLean objected to the clause, and remarked that ho fully expected the next Bill they would introduce would be one to compel persons to go to church and attend Sunday schools. Messrs Sutton, Bowen, Gisborne, and others declared that the new clause was going too far. It would make it illegal to bet a pair of gloves or a shilling at whist. If it passed they would oppose the Bill.

The new clause was carried by 21 to 14.

Mr Do Lautour moved that a new clause bo added rendering proprietors of Chinese gambling houses liable to a penalty not exceeding £SO, or in default of payment three months’ imprisonment without hard labor. The clause was added to the Bill. An amended clause that the Bill should come into operation on November 1, 1881, was carried. The schedule was passed and the Bill reported as amended. The House adjourned at 1 a.m.