PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 170, 22 July 1904, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

House of Representatives I WEDNESDAY, JULY 20. DIVORCE ACT. Mr Laurcnson's Divorce Act, 1898, Amendment Bill was committed, and some discussion took place on clause 12, which proposed to make confinement in a lunatic asylum for seven years or upwards a ground for divorce. Mr Tanner strongly opposed the cittUMe, saying that New Zealand' promised soon to rival America in Lho facilities given for obtaining divorce. Mr Seddon also deplored the growing tendency to make divorce easy. It was better, he thought, that a few should sutler than that tho moral fabric of Uie qolony shquld be suppcil. Air Laurengon agneod to report progress on the bill, and the House rose at 10.HO p.m. Tiii'KSDAY, JULY 21.

The lion, tho Speaker took the chair at 2,80 p.m.

PETITIONS. Petitions presented in favour of insllruction in temperance tvitd hygiene i* State schools, and praying for compensation for the closring of the Newtown Hotels. ! SHOPS AND OFFICES BILL. Mr J. F. ARNOLD (Dunodiu City) I gave notice to move to include cable | companies and telegraphic press ag- : encies among the exemptions.

FIRST READINGS. Tho Lund Boards Bill (Steward) and Naturalisation Acts Amendment ilill (Baumo) were read a first time. SECOND READING. The Wellington City Leasing Bill (Duthie) was read a second time on the voices. DESTITUTE PERSONS. Mr A. W. HOGG (Masta'ton) moved tho second reading of the Destitute Persons Act Amendment Bill ■which provides that wages may be attached lor the maintenance of a deserted or destitute person, and if an employer makes default the aniount, may be recovered from him. The second reading was agreed to on tho voices without debate. PUBLIC WORKS' ACT AMEND- 1 MENT. Mr J. A. MILLAR (Dunediu City) moved the second reading of the Public Works Act, 1903, Amendment Hill, providing that streets shown on plans deposited before the passing of last year's uct shall bo exempt frpm the provision in that act that all streetß must have a minimum width uf 60 feet. Mr SEDDON (Premier,) hoped the House would not affirm the principle of the bill, which meant legalising narrow streets. After a short debate the second reading was agreed to on the voices. MAORI LIQUOR SUPPLY. Mr C. E. MAJOII (Hawera) In moving the second reading of the Maori Litjuor Supply Bill, said it' proposed to give natives the same power of local option as was posses,sed by Europeans. He referred to the evil effects of drinking among Maoris, and said that under tilio system of tangis there was an excuse for meeting for the purpose of indulging in a dobauch. lie proposed amending tho measure as circulated by deleting tho penal provision against any native "who enters upon any licensed premises under any pretext whatever."

Sir Joseph WARD (Awarua) opposed the bill. It proposed such an important amendment Unit it should only have been introduced by the Government. He thought the proposal would do more harm than good if it was carried Into effect.

Mr T. MACKENZIE (Waiftouaiti) moved tiliut the bill he read a second time six months hence. This was seconded by Air T. I'urata (.Southern .Maori).

lion. J. CARROLL (Native Ministor) urged that the bill should not be allowed to go on at present. Its proposals should be left to bo dealt with when the Licensing Bill came down this session. When that was in committee he woukl mow. an amendment to tile effect that no liquor should be sold to a Maori in licensed premises for consumption off the promises. Mr A. L. II KRAMER (Napier) denied Uiut outside of the Taranaki district the natives as a body were given'to excessive drinking. He recognised the good object aimed at by Mr Major, but tho difficulties in the way of his scheme were so great that he would vote againßt tbo bill. Mr MACKENZIE withdrew his amendment. Mr W. F. MASSEY (Franklin) belioved that to give the natives the power proposed in the bill would work for evil. Mr T. E. TAYLOR (Christchurch' City) declared that if this bill were submitted to the people of the colony the vast majority of them would not vote against it. Messrs lluthie, Lewis, Moss, Lawry, Jas. Allen-, and F. Baurne algo spoke against tho bill. In tho course of his reply, Mr Major expressed his willingness to withdraw the bill on the understanding that the Government would deal With the question in the general Licensing Bill. Mr TAYLOR, however, objeoted to the withdrawal, and tho second reading Was negatived on tho voices. LAMPS ON VEHICLES. Mr MAJOR moved the second reading of the Lamps on Vehicles Bill, to require vehicles on roads to carry lamps at night.

SirtviiUum KUSSELL (Hawke's Hay) objected to a Uxed law covering nil n ttn(l countl 'y roads, "lhe debate was interrupted by the o.du p.m. adjournment.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. LAMIM ON VEHICLES. Some opposition was shown to the Lamps on Vehicles Bill, several country uu'i.ibera protesting against the regulation of such matters being taken out of the hands of the local bodies. They also declared that the bill was quite unnecessary. Sir Joseph Ward thought the bill should be allowed to get into committee, where it <iould be modilled. The bill was thrown out by 41 votes to 24. FARRIERS' BILL. Mr MAJOR moved tho second reading of the Farriers' Bill providing for the examination and registration of farriers.

Tile swam] reading whs carried by 45 votes (o t(i, antl the bill was rolerned to the Slock Committee. I'OUCK OFFENCES. Sir Joseph Wand moved t-Tie- hocoml rending of the I'olice Offences Act Amendment Hill, which aims at regulating boxing contests. Mr WILFOKD (Mutt) did not think the hill would elTect tho purpose desired, being wrongly drafted. Air 11. (!. ELL (Christchurch City) <ml not see the necessity for the bill as under the existing law prize-fight-ing could bo prevented. Messrs W. 11. I'. lUvnber and C Lewis supported the bill, while Mcksts 11. ,M Houston and T II l>tivey oppofv:) it. the second reading was agreed to on tho voices-.