PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 191, 17 August 1900, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, August 16. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. NOXIOUS WEEDS BILL.

A message was received from the House of Representativesgiving reasons for disagreeing with the amendment made by the Council in sub-clause 3 of clause 9 of the Noxious Weeds Bill.

GOVERNOR'S SALARY. It was agreed that the Council should not insist on,its amendment to the Governor's Salary and Allowances Bill, which was put through Committee without amendments, read a third time, and passed.

IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. The Imprisonment for Debt Limitation Bill was further considered in Committee.

On the motion of the Hon. W. C. Walker, clause 3 was amended by the omission of the provision that there should be no order of committal where the judgment debt (exclusive of costs) did not exceed £2O.

The Hon. W. O. Walker gave notice that ho would move to recommit the Bill in order to provide that there should be no imprisonment for debt except in the case of debts which came under section 3 of the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Act and debts incurred by fraud.

COLONIAL SECURITIES. The British Investors in New Zealand Government Securities Bill was passed through all stages. The Council rose at 2.55 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, Augast 16, The House met at 2.80 p.m. NOTICES OF taOTION.

Mr. MasEey gave notice to ask the Government if they would encourage ostrich-farming by Betting apart a block of land for the purpose in the North Island. Mr, McLachlan gave notice to introduce Libel Bill No. 4. Mr. Hogg gave notice to ask if the Government will introduce penny postage, FIRST READINGS. The Fair Rent Bill, Hobson Bay Watershed Sewage, Land Act 1892 Amendment, Native Land Administration, Maori Councils, and Uriwera District Native Reserve Act Amendment JBills ware introduced and read tii st time, DEFENCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

The Defence Committee reported recommending that the services of all volunteer corps shall be accepted, which, with existing corp*, will bring the total force up to 18,000. QUESTIONS. In answer to questions as to the profits of tho Wellington Meat Export Company, the Premier said bis attention did not require to be called to the profits tho Company was making,,as he was ,UTH"UU "Witt auU -waaaA^a one interests of small farmers fhat enquiries jgijould bo made into the matter, and suggested that a committse be appointed for that purpose. In reply to other questions, Ministers said they did not propose to set up a Committee to consider the question of prison reform, although they were alive to the recommendations contained in the report of the Inspector of Prisons, but with regard to utilising prison labour on certain kinds of public works they that it could be done if free labour were not interfered with.

Replying to Mr. Hornsby, Mr. Ward said the only privilege enjoyed by the Press Association was copyright in cablegrams. The Government had the matter under consideration, and intended introducing legis'ation on the subject this session, which would act impartially and do away with the monopoly. It was further stated that an amendment in the Land Act of 1892 would be introduced, when the question of altering the condition that prevented selectors from obtaining reasonable advances on improvements 'until they had been 12 months in occupation 1 might then be considered; that the question of introducing weekly market tickets at reduced rates was one that should staud o>er until it was seen how the recent reductions in fares would succeed. I

In reply to Mr. Smith, Mr. Ward said he hoped to submit an amended Electoral Act, so as to remove some of the defects of the present law. Answering other questions, it was stated that the question of increasing fines under School Attendance Act would be considered; that the Government could not promise an increased grant to tho Ohris'church Normal School, as other districts would be equally entitled to consideration.

Mr, Ward, replying to Mr. G. W. B/issell, who wished a reduction in railway fares, and referred to certain anomalies in tho charges, said in the Imny of making arrangements fcr the late reduction in charges certain anomalies did exist, which would bo removed. He was pleastd to say that since the late reduction in rates the increase in the number of tickets issued had bean extraordinary, and surprising to him, ind showed that the policy had been a SUCC. Si,

The House adjourned at 5,30 p.m,

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30, COMPANIES ACT.

Mr. Ward moved the second reading of tho Companies Act Amendment Bill, which provides that holders of promoters' shares shall not sell them until investors have time to seo if the venture is a legitimate one. The second reading was carried on tho voices. ANIMALS PROTECTION. Mr. Ward moved the second reading of the Animals Protection Act Amendment Bill, and explained that tho season for both nativoand imported game was fixed as from Ist May to 31st July. The Hill also provides that nativogame is not to be exported or held in possession moio than seven days after the closing of tho season. The Hon. J. Carroll was glad the I Southern members wore in favour of tho Ist May as the opening date, as jtUali quite early enuugb,, Ho he..

Heved the only way to settle the matter satisfactorily was for the Government to take over the administration of the g ame . la ws, using acclimatisation societies as an executive.

Several others spoke, and the House took the 10 o'clock adjournment.