PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 209, 30 September 1903, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. . 1 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 1 Tuesday, September 29. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. , The Public Petitions Committee re- , ported on the petition of shareholders : of the Colonial Back for inquiry into certain matters with regard to the winding up of the Bank, recommending ; that the Government be requested to set up a Commission. The Attorney General moved the reeojnmital of the City Single Electorates Bill to further consider the clause making the licensing district in cities co-terminous with the three electoral districts. I After some discussion the clause was passed, the Bill repotted, acd the third I reading fixed for Friday week. The Life Assurance Policies Act Amendment Bill was read a second time without debate. The Imprisonment for Dabt Limitation Bill was read a third time and passed. The Goutcil adjourned at 4 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, September 29th. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Seddon, referring to the debate on the Cook Islands Bill, desired to make it clear that the Government did not send aboard the Mapourika for the Islands excursion any alcoholic liquors at the cost of the taxpayers. The liquor was supplied by the Union Company in the usual way, and what wae used was paid for privately by the members of the party. The Coroner's Act Amendment Bill was read a first time. One week's leave cf absence was granted to Mr Herries on account of family bereavement, NEWTOWN HOTELKEEPEBS. j Mr Buddo brought up the report of the Public Petitions Committee on the petitions of the five Newtown hotelkeepers, who prayed that they be allowed to continue to sell alcoholic liquors until the result of their appaal to the Privy Ccuncil is made known. The report stated thai: the Committee considered the present position of the pet.itionei s was d.te to deftc s in the Act, and recommended tha G-v. j rnmsnt to bring down legislation to remedy such defects, particularly as to providing for a second poll in cases where a poll has been declared void. Mr BuJdo moved that the report ba referred to the G jvornment for consideration. Mr R. McKetziesaid the Committee bad en'irely evaded the prayer of the petitioners, and thu report was likely to prejudice their case before the Frivy Council. He considered the Newtown ho f-lkeepera had suffjred quite enough without beitig trampled on by a partiil committee. He moved as an amendment that the report ba referred back to the committee for reconsideration. Mr Ruherford seconded the amendment. Mr Hanan hoped the report would not be referred back. Mr Davey said if the second poll was tak<m it would be a perfectly fair course to adopt. Mr Seddon decied tha'. (ho Government had influ?nced the Committer in any way in this c»so, Wuh regard to the Brooklyn ballot papers, it had not bopn proved that they had been touched. The Government had investigated the maiter, and the ordy p rson found illegally in posses ion of on 9 of the voting papers was .hs R-v. Mr I*kt.. Ho did rsot think if the r.iport wont back the result wou'd be differed. I The debate was interrupted by the dinner adjournment. Evening Sitting, The House resumed at 7.30. p.m. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill (Seddm), and Libour Department Bill (Soddon) were rend a second time pro forma and referred to the Labour Bills Committee. I Sir Joseph Ward moved the second readicg of the Ganeral Assembly Library Bill, which provide? that two; copies of every work published in New Zealand stall be sent to the General ( Assembly Library. Agreed to on the. voices. municipal corporations. J Sir Joseph Wf.rd moved the second reading of the Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill, v.hich embodied several resolutions passed by the recent

j Municipal Conference. He pointed out that cbuue 3 provided that where the population of a borough exceeds 30,000 the Council shall consist of not less than 15 nor more than 25 members. Clause 11 gave Councils power to lease pirt of any public reserve or recreation (ground for recreation purpoees, Mr Ai'ken said that with 25 members a Council might become a debating society arid so block business, Mr Ell advocated more care being taken of ballot papers. 3 Mr Laurenson opposed the clauses enabling Councils to lease reserves. Mr Maesey agreed entirely that municipalities should provide homes for the working clisses. Sir Joseph Waid said that when the ■ Bill was in Committee he would be \ be prepared to accept a verdict of the majority as t) clause 3. The second reading was agreed to. GRADING PRODUCTS. Sir Joseph Ward moved the secosd reading of the Products Export Bill, designed to make the grading of grain, fruit and poultry compulsory. Mr Massey did not think the Bill would attain all that was expected of it, He obj cted to the prevision that the Bill should apply also to "such other products as are from time to time declared by the Governor in Council to be within the meaiiing cf the Act," He did not thick it should include meat. Sir Joseph Ward said the grading would not aflVcfc the present brands of meat. The companies cou'd still sell on their own brands. The desire was to enable our products to obtain the 1 best prices and to uphold the reputation os the colony. The second reading was agreed to, 1 and the Bill referred to the Industties 1 i and Oommerca Committee. I Sir Joseph Ward moved the second I reading of the Animals Proteo'ion' Amendment Biil, which provides a' ■ uniform season for game from Ist May to 31st July in eich year, (Left sitting.)'