HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2920, 4 August 1882, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The debate of Wednesday night was continued from 12.30 a.m. The Hon. Major Atkinson maintained that the working-classes were in reality, all over the colony, doing well, had saved money and were acquiring free, holds and so becoming propertied men. The present taxation did not injuriously affect them. He deprecated constant meddling with the Customs, as likely to paralyze the trade of the country. The motion to go into Committee of Supply was then put and carried, and the House rose at two o’clock. The House met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. BILLS PASSED. On the motion for the third reading of the Trustees, Executors and Agency Company Bill, Mr Bathgate explained that bis opposition to the measure mainly arose out of the fact that it ought to have been a general measure, so that companies in the colony might have taken advantage of it. As it was, any now company would have to come to Parliamont to get the powers now sought to bo conferred on this particular company. Messrs Weston and Williams sp v oke in opposition to the Bill in its present shape. The motion,for the third reading was carried, and on the question that the Bill be passed the House divided—Ayes, 41 ; Noes, 28, and the Bill was passed. TIMARU BILLS. The following Bills wore read a third time and passed Timaru Hasher

Board and Timaru High School Act 1878 Amendment Bills. OTAGO HAEBOB BILL. Mr Fish moved the adoption of the report on the Otago Harbor Board Further Empowering Bill. Messrs Wright, Macandrew and Hursthouse spoke against the Bill, after which the report was adopted, and the Bill read a third time and passed. CHEISTCHUBCH DEAINAGE. Mr Thomson moved the second reading of the Christchurch District Drain* age Bill. Mr Wynn Williams opposed the motion, contending that it would be better to allow the drainage system as it stood, to fall into disuse, and return to the dry system. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. THIED EBADINGB. On resuming at 7.30 p.m., the Mines Act 1877 Amendment Bill was reported, read a third time and passed. The Law Practitioners Bill was reported with further amendments, which were ordered to be considered that day week.

The protection of Telegrams Bill was read a third time and passed. The School Committees Election Bill was reported, read a third time and passed. The Public Offenders Disqualification Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Moss ashed Government if they intended to proceed with their Alienation of Lands Bill this session. He had a Bill similar in effect on the Paper for this evening, but if Government would tnke up the matter, he would willingly withdraw his Bill. The Hon Major Atkinson said Go* vernment would introduce the Bill and and press it forward, with a view to getting it passed into law this sesion. THE TEA TEADE. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Importation, Adulteration and Examination of Tea Bill. The Hon. Major Atkinson said that this was a most important measure. It met with the entire approval of Government, and Government proposed, with the consent of the introducer to take it on as a Government measure. The motion for the second reading was carried. , EMPLOYEES LIABILITY. On the motion of Mr M. W. Green, the Employers Liability Bill was committed and passed. GAMING AND LOTTBBIEd. Mr Steward moved that the Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Bill be read a second time. Mr Oonolly opposed the motion, contending that this was a proposal to legalise the.very evil it was intended to suppress

Mr Pyke spoke in support of the motion. The totalisator legalised gambling to an amount not less than a pound ; this Bill aimed at a small class of stakes amongst a few friends. It was in human nature to risk something in the hope of gaining something. The Hon Mr Bryce said that the Bill was Calculated to fostor the spirit of gambling among young people, and by that means they were, so to speak, initiated into this most pernicious system. From all he had heard in different parts of the colony he was satisfied that the Act bad operated beneficially. The Bill was calculated to encourage the sport of gambling among the rising generation, and that to his mind was most reprehensible. Mr Joyce spoke of the gambling which went on Under the auspices of the church bazaars. The sweep system on racecourses was less pernicious than the church bazaar system. Mr Fish supported the Bill. In his opinion it would repress gambling. The totalisator was the worst gambling machine that could be thought of, and yet it was legalised. Reference had been made to certain transactions on the Dunedin racecourse. He was one of those took part in that transaction, and he did it as a protest against what he considered to be an uncalled-for interference by the Legislature with the liberties of the subject.

Mr M. W. Green criticised the conduct of the previous speaker, who stood up and made a boast that he had openly and wilfully violated the law. If they could he nothing more, it was at least their duty to be law observers. It was pernioions for anyone to take up the attitude taken np by the previous speaker. Horse racing, he understood, was meant to improve the breed of horses, but according to what had transpired to-night, that aim was to be made subordinate to this sport of gambling. The Bill would allow gamling to the extent of £6. That, at all events, legalised the spirit of gambling, and the amount was altogether of secondary consideration. In the case of young men this sum was large, and to them a hazardous anm to stake. The passing of this Bill in reality meant the repeal of the Aot of last session. He would most distinctly say, abolish the totalisator and also ohuroh bazaars. The advertising of sweepstakes he reprobated and expressed a hope that it would be rendered illegal, as it was in the neighboring colony of Victoria. The Hon. Mr Dick would gladly see the totalisator left out of the Aot. It bad not a tendency to improve the morals of the community ; but because the totalisator was bad, that was no argument in favor of; sweepstakes. He agreed in condemning church bazaars. It was difficult to deal with applications of this kind, and be would not object if the law were a little more stringent, and no discretion was left to the Government as to the granting or withholding of consent to these bazaars.

Mr Levestam said the tendency of the Act of last session was to make people violate the law rather than observe it. If the totalisator was objectionable, the Government should either have the Act amended or else withdraw the Bill for a more favorable opportunity. It was not horse racing that gave rise to betting, but betting that had given rise to racing. One man said “I have a better horse thanj you, I’ll bet you,” whereupon the the contest took place. Mr Hobbs objected to the Bill, stating that if they passed it, they would be virtually repealing the legislation of last session. He moved that the Bill be read that day six months. Mr Stewart contended that the feeling of the colony, from north to south, was in favor of the repeal of this Act. It was a leading question at the elections, candidates being asked if they would support such a repeal. He defended tne totalisator as being at least a fair means for gambling. The Hon Mr Bryce said that nothing worse could befall a plae than the growth of a spirit of gambling. It had been the curse of South America, and it was most imperative that so far as the Legislature was concerned it should he discountenanced, and the evil nipped in the bud. The House divided on the second reading—Ayes 43, Noes 17. MORTGAGE RELEASE. The Mortgage Release Bill, on tho motion of Mr Feldwick, was read a second time. 1

NATIVE COMMITTEES BILL. Mr Tomoana moved the committal of the Native Committees Empowering Bill. The Hon. Mr Bryce opposed the motion, and said the Bill was a most objectionable one, and he coaid not conscientiously bring it into operation. He moved as an amendment that it be committed that day six months. After further discussion the House divided at 1.40 n.m.—Ayes, 28 ; Noes, 30. The House then divided as to the Bill being read that day six months—Ayes, 29; Noes, 29. The Speaker gave his casting vote with the Noes. The House then adjourned.