PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 164, 15 July 1904, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Legislative Counoll.

THURSDAY, .TVLY 14, 1904, 'Mm Council nut ut p.hi. CHINK SB I'OLL TAX. Replying to lion. J. RAgjJ Tho ATTO RN EY-Q ENERAL Bald that if imjtiiry showed that an undue proportion of Chinese were being imported into tile colony the Government would consider the advisableness of increasing the poll tux. J.AW AMENDMENT DILL. Tho Law Amendment Hill wliich passed tho Council last session was re-introduced and read a second limo without dobute. EVIDENCE BILL.

The Evidence Bill, a consolidation of English and New Zealand law will an additional clauso making the l.i.' Meat ion of prohibited questions u contempt of court, was read a second time. CORONERS BILL. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, in moving tho second reading of the Coroners Bill, explained that it abolished coroners and juries, and t>u Instituted stipendiary nuiglstrates. A justice of peace, in tho absence of a magistrate, was authorised to act as coroner. Inquests would only bo held upon tile authorisation of a magistrate after a preliminary in-

quirft '-.iliLl'J Hon. T. KELLY (Tarawa ki) In supporting the bill drew attention to t tie cute of tlie death of a woman in the Auckland Hospital in which lie said a medical officer insisted upon a post mortem, though it was objected to by relatives. Ho cdiaracterisod the action as monstrous.

Hon. F. ARKWRIGIIT (Wellington) thought the proposed changes too drastic, aind would move amendments In committee. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, in replying. promised to make inquiry into the case referred to by Mr Kelly, and the second reading was agreed to. PROPERTY LAW.

The Property Law Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to tlio Statutes Revision Committee. The Council rose at 3.15. p.ui.