PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 193, 6 September 1900, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

(PKR PRESS A8S00IATI0K.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, September 5. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Paeroa Gas Works Bill was read a third time and passed. Oa the motion of the Hon. W. 0. Walker the New Zealand Ensign and Code Signals Bill, Shopa and Offices Bill, and Sale of Poiaona Amendment Bill, were read a first time. The Hon. Mr. Peldwiok moved the committal of the Criminal Code Act, 1893, Amendment Bill, and gave evidence of need for making incest crime punishable by law. Hon, Mr. Whitmore moved that the Bill be committed six months hence, The committal was carried by 24 votes to 8. Progress was at once reported. Hod. W. C. Walker moved the second reading of the Customs Duties Act Amendment Bill. Hon. Twomey commented on the abandonment of the self-reliant policy inaugurated by the late Mr. Ballance and on the attack made by the Bill on local industries. Hen. Mr, Scotland said that protection was the very essence of industrial welfare in a new country. Hon. W. 0. Walker, in reply, said the Colonial Treasurer in his proposals had not exceeded the limits of safety. The second reading was agreed to. The Council rose at 4 30 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. p.m. NEW BILLS. The Gastlepoint County, Provision for Members of New Zealand Contingent, Porirua and Wairarapa Native Trust Reserve Bills, were introduced = and read a first time. On introducing the Industrial Acts Extension to Private Institutions Bill, Mr. Seddon explained that it applied to all private schools. Power was given to the Government to take over the management of industrial schools, and to appoint visitors to such schools. Any institution not complying with the conditions imposed, that would bo considered sufficient authority for not sending children thereto. An opportunity would be given to discuss the question of private industrial institutions upon the second reading of the Bill. The Bill was read a first time. j QUESTIONS. , Replying to questions, Ministers said the question of election and travelling expenses of licensing committees, and the administration of the Licensing Act by Stipendiary Magistrates in lieu of committees would be discussed in connection with the Alcoholic Liquor Sale Control Act Amendment Bill shortly to be introduced. In reply to Mr. E. G. Allen, who asked if the Government would take steps to prevent for a time the exportation of ewe lambs, Mr, Duncan said he did not think the time had arrived when the Government would be justified in interfering in the matter. Answering further questions, Mr. Seddon said the question of dealing with licenses in the King Country was a most perplexing one to the Govern- ** ment, but as to whether or not a Royal _ Commission should be set up to inquire into the matter, he would give a definite reply in a day or two. With regard to the Press Association, Mr. Seddon said if a Bill were brought down to restrict the monopoly enjoyed by that Association he would, if the provisions were approved by him, sup-, port it. He said he did not agree with - the reduced entrance fee offered by the Association, neither did he think, with the supporters of the restrictions, that the entrance fee of .£lo'was sufficient. PRIVATE MEMBERS BILLS On the motion of Mr, Steward that the Roads Obstruction Bill be set down for committal on the 12th insb,, a dis- . cussion arose in which a number of members protested against the faci'ities for private members Bills being restricted, Mr. Hall-Jones said the Government had no intention of curtailing private members bills. The motion was agreed to. MEAT FREEZING COMPANIES. Mr. Duncan moved that a select committee be appointed to inquire into the question of meat freezing manufacturing and exporting, and the purchase of sheep and cattle, to examine into the affairs of companies carrying on such 1 businesses, as to their profits, and as ' to whether there had been compacts as i between the said companies to the prejudice of breedjrs and farmers. i Mr. Earncros? considered the prolosal was one of the most preposterous le ever heard of, and was surprised r he Government had taken the matter ' ip. If the Government was going to , inquire into the profits of such com- i panies, why not include other piivate < jompinies such as caodlemakers, jrewers, lawyers, and other?, Such a ( jroposal would have a very detrimental 1 :ffect upon the colony. I Mb. Hornsby could not understand a iberal such as Mr, Oarncross opposing mch a motioD. He did not object to she companies making large profits, but he objected to such profits being made at the expense of producers. Buyers for two meat compini s in Wellington it any rate had combined, he asserted to obtain stock at less than the fair value, and it was to remedy these evils that a select committee was asked to be set up. He considered that it was quite within the scope of Parliament to enquire into the profits of rings and companies with a view to protect the public, and where where the people to go to for red* ess but to Parliament ? Mr, Buddo said Mr. Hornsby'a tirade was the greatest piece of flapdoodle he had ever heard in the House, He asserted that freezing companies had proved the salvation of the colony, and was the bridge that had carried it over to prosperity. | The debato was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment, EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p m, Amendments made in the Rating on Unimproved Values Act Amendment and Testators' Family Maintenance Bills were agreed to, and the Bills were read a thud time and passed,

sales by mortgagees. The House went into Committee on the Sales by Mortgagees Bill. Mr. Hemes moved that progress be reported. There had been a good deal of opposition to the Bill, and objections were very valid against it. Mr. Mills, who was in charge of the Bill, pretested that any objections that might be levelled against the Bill were mere Committee objections, and he was prepared to deal with them on their merits. Mr. Ward opposed the motion to report progress. Mr. K. Thompson objected to the Bill being forced- through the House. The majority were against it, lock, stock, and barrel, andj its retrospective character introduced a most pernicious principle, and struck at the security of every existing mortgage. Mr. Tanner supported the Bill as far as it applied to restricting powers of mortgagees, but he insisted that provision should be made for confining the mortgagees right solely to the security over which the advance was made. Mr. Pirani urged proceeding with the Bill, which would prove a useful measure. Mr. Atkinson said the Bill was full of dangerous proposals. Mr. Fraser objected to the personal security being ignored in the Bill. In course of the discussion that followed several members suggested that the Government should take up the Bill and redraft it. On the motion to report progress, the voting being equal, 20 for 20 i against, the Chairman gave his casting vote against. A motion that the chairman leave the chair moved at a later stage, was lost by 26 to 24. On reassembling after the supper adjournment no quorum being present the speaker declared the House adjourned. The House rose at 10,37 p.m.