PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXV, Issue 180, 13 August 1903, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. T&cbsday, August 12. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. ' The following Bills were read a second time: Waimate Racecourse Reset Yd Act Amendment, Go;e El ctiic Power Ac: Amendment, trnd I Chrisfchurch Tramway District Act Amendment. , In Committee on the County Act! Amendment Bill, cab-clauses a and b of clause 3, providing a 3d rate in outlying district and l|d in other pans if the county wer* s ruck out,, sub-chusis being substituted for a 3d rate in ccunues where there are no' road or town districts, and in counties where ttere are road and town dis-| tricts, a 3d rate in outlying districts, ljd in all other parts of & county. A new clause was inserted for making a sep irate rate by special order in addition to or lieu of the general rate, both together not to exceed the maximum ; of the general rate. Cliuse 5 wa3 intended and the Bill reported. The Council adjourned until 27th Instant. ————_ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WiDHTSDAY, AugOSt 12. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Speaker announced the following result of the poll as to whether alcoholic l:'quor should be sold in Bellamy's Legislative Council: In favour of sale 34, againßt 4. House of Representatives: In favour 42, against 27. _ The fo'lowing Bills were read a first time:—Patea Harbour Board Foreshore (Byrnes), School Committees Election Act 1891 Amendment (Ell), Ohristchurch District; Drainage Act 1875 Amendment (Davey), and City of Auckland Empowering and Reserves Exchange (Kidd). Ur Seddon announced that the Government had received a reply conveying the cardial thanks of the King and Queen for the message congratulating theii Majesties upon the anniversary of their coronation. BBFLIBS TO QUEBTIONS. In reply to questions Ministers stated that the Labour Department is not aware that there is any unusual number of men out cf employment; that under the Postal Convention roles the Government had no power to prevent .the canvass through the New Zeals nd post offices for subscriptions to German lotteries; that thsra was no intention to introduce legislation to give Crown tenants some representation on L«nd Boards; that wher. s'eriling plants had been eree'ed at the Buff and Auckland imported bones would not be allowed to be landed at any other forts in the colcny. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. Evihifs SJTTKO. The House ruumed at 7.30 p.m. The Lyt'dtcn Harbcur Boards Bill Wis fiom the Order Paper. BBUCa POLL VALIDATION Mr James Allen mwed the second reading if the Biuce Licensing Poll Validation Bill. He briefly related the citcumstances leading up to the poll being declared void, and la : d stress on the point that the Magistrate in giving a decision, on, which he npset the poll, said be did so with reluctance, having no discretionary power in regard to irregularities at the booths. He urged that it was immaterial phetker or not there was a precedent for legislation of this kind, £. cr whether the case was going to tie Privy Council or not, His Bill was simply to make clear what ought to have been made clear in previous legislation, and he considered lrgal tftect should be given to the wishes of the electorate. Mr McLaughlin seconded the motion. Mr R. McKtiz'e raised a point cf order, contending that the Bi l should firet be sect to the Local Bills Committee to see whether it was a local or public bill. The Fpeaker ruled the Bill was a public bill, since it emounts 1 to an amendment of the Act of 1895. Mr Seddon eaid he had an open mind on the question, and did not rise to oppose the Bill, but simply to do his duty. He felt sure no member of the House would do anything to violate i he secrecy of the ballot and in the Bruce ewe it had been admitted and proved tbat the sccrccy of the ballot had been violated. The poll had not fceen declared votd on mere technicalities for the question of the violation of eeerecy of tbe ballot was involved, and it was on the wh< la of these grounds that the magistrate had declared tbe poll void. The House should be in pofs?ef-icn cf ccmplete evidrnre before it took the grave and txtraordinery eti p of validating the poll. He ULdt-retocd ti;c matter wrs still before the Liw Courts and if tie House passed the Bill in these circumstances it would be taking a grave resjoisibility on itself. Bis sympathies were with the rosj rity, and tut fur the negligence of rfficitds the will of the people would have prevailed' He wculd st vi rely putisb negligence of this kind, but be wculd not agree to validate the illegal acts of the retuning officer?, Mr. Bedford accused tbe Premier of being tbe representative in the House of the liquor pirty. Be did not think the Piemier wanted to do justice Th> in'en'ion of the law h' d been s'ul'ified. Mr. J. A. Millar said he would vote in favour of a Bill providing fcr a second poll in Bruce, Newtown, and Chalmers, with a clause that it shall not be necessary for half of tbe electors to vote. He thought (he ancmalits and defects in the licensing law should be dealt wi'h this session. Mr Ell said the temperance party simply wanted this question settled fairly at the polls. Mr Barber would support the Bill Hsj; for want of a better way of dealing with the difficulty. Mr McGowan oppoeed the Bill. Mr Duthid moved an amendment that the eeccrd reading be postponed for a for'night, and that the Government be eeked to b:ing down a Bill providing for a second poll with the If aft pcssible delay, the clause for halt of electors to vr<c inoperative. Mr Kirkbiid* the amendment. Mr Seddon regarded the amendment •8 a motion of no cot fide nee. He hid been a member of the House for 25 set sums and had never met with su h a proposal, and Mr Duthie must f-se there was no justification for it. Mr Barber did not think the amendment was a reflection on the Govern nut. S-.r Jj-eph Ward spoke in justification of tha action of Mr Seddon r ga ding tbe motion bb one of no confience,

J The whole business of th 9 House would ■ have to be sapped to carry the ameud m -nt into » ff cr, if ft was carried, and if the Gjvernment accepted such an amendment thpy wouM not bs fib to continue in t'cesr resp'jßfiib'e positions. The debate wes proce : dicg vhen the ptele graph- office closed.