PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2866, 1 June 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. FIRST READING. The following Bills were introduced and road a first time To Amend the Dog Registration Act 1880(Mr Steward) to Amend the Resident Magistrates Act 1862 ; to Amend the Debtors and Creditors Act 1867 (Mr Holmes) ; to Amend the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1881 (Mr Steward) ; the Westland Educational District Subdivision (Mr Seddon) ; Hokitika High School (Mr Fitzgerald) : to Amend the Contractors Debts Acr 1871 ; to Provide for the Projection of Telegrams from beyond the colony of New Zealand (MrFeldwick) to Amend the Corrupt Practices Prevention Act 1881 ; Alienation of Life Assurance Policies (Hon. Major Atkinson) ; Licensing Act Amendment (Hon Mr Dick).

THE EIGHT HOURS BILE. Mr M. W. Green moved the second reading. He asserted that it was a general custom for men to he ex cessively overworked in this colony. He instanced engine-drivers, postmen, and clerks, as victims of the pernicious system. Mr Bracken seconded and supported the motion ; hoping theßill would serve two purposes, viz.:—develop the moral and physical capacities of workmen, and assure them that their country cared for their interests. Colonel Trimble thought no good would be gained by the passing of the Bill. Employers and employees could privately arrange for extension of ordinary hours of labor, if the Bill did pass. He would oppose it As a useless encumbrance. Mr Barron supported the Bill if only to have the hours of labor defined, as the weight of a loaf is defined. Mr Holmes also supported the Bill, on the ground that it would assert the principle of extra pay for extra work. Mr Fergus would vote for it on the ground that it could not do any harm. At (he same time he regarded it as a mere bit of sentimentality, Mr Shephard tpok a similar view. Mr Lovestam supported it, hoping it would be amended in Committee. Mr Fish supported the Bill on the ground that it would have a grand moral effect on the labor question. He spoke strongly of the case of enginedrivers, and stated that he was credibly informed that a driver of a train who recently met with a fatal accident, had been employed 45 hours at a stretch just before. Mr Bathgate also supported the Bill, The Hon. Mr Johnston supported the Bill. Regarding what had been said about the engine-drivers, he had made enquiries and h could notjfind that any driver had ever been required to work more than 12 hours per day. He had asked for a return of all work performed by the engine drivers, and if he found more than eight hours performed by each, he would see that it was at once put a stop to. Respecting' telegraph operators, they were only required to work eight hours, and if it was shown that they had worked raoro than that they were allowed overtime. The motion for the second reading was carried on the voices. GAS LIABILITIES. Mr Hutchison moved the second reading of the Gas Company and Consumers Liability Bill. The object of the Bill was to limit the liability of consumers, and prevent a new tenant of a house being held liable for an unpaid gas account of the previous tenant. Mr Fulton supported the Bill, stating that he had been a victim to the law as it now stands. * The motion was passed on the voices. THE NATIVE QUESTION. , The adjourned debate on the West Coast Peace Preservation Bill, was resumed by Mr Holmes, who desired to postpone consideration of it until after the trial of Te Whiti. He considered the action of the Native Minister had been unjust. In the course of his speech, Mr Holmes characterised the Hon. member for Rangitikei, a “ land shark which term, at the demand of the Speaker ho withdrew. Mr Taiaroa supported Mr Holmes’ view; he considered the whole trouble arose out of the failure to carry out promises ro the reserves j and he was sure the Bill, if passed, would not put an end to the troubles. „ Mr Weston opposed giving the Maoris Crown grants. They would squander the proceeds and become a burden on the state. Mr Sheehan and Mr Fitzgerald deprecated the offensive personalities of Mr Holmes as derogatory to the House and calling for direct reproval from the Chair. The latter supported the Bill. Mr Steward would support the Bill if somewhat amended. He thought future peril should be guarded against, and the Native Minister strengthened. On the motion of Mr Tawhai, the House rose at 12 o’clock.