PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81847, 14 September 1906, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, I By Telegraph.—Press Association. Tin' Council met at 2.30. TOWN DISTRICTS BILL. The Town Districts Bill was read a third time and passed. The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading- of the Juvenile Offenders Bill. • The Attorney Genera' pointed out the importance of the measuie, and hoped the Council would aflirm the principle involved.

After a brief discussion, the se cond reading- was agreed to. The Training- Ships Bill was amended in committee on the motion of the Minister of Defence, by eliminating tli provision for fees to be paid by youths admitted, and the substitution of a provision that the regulations should fix the amount to " e P a 'd t0 youths admitted. The Sale of Explosives Bill was amended in Committee, on the motion of the Hon. Mr Trask, by fixing the age limit for the purchase of explosives at 15 years, instead of 18, as provided in the Bill.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.! The House met at 2.30. PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE OF THE SPEAKER. Mr SPEAKER explained that in the case °f Julia Walsh, to be heard at Hokitika on the 20th inst., he and another had been made defendants as trustees, and summoned to appear. He explained that all members of Parliament may obtain exemption from such processes by certificate of the Speaker of the House, but the Speaker had to ob" tai " a certificate from the House. Phe PREMIER moved tho necessary certificate of exemption, which the House granted without discussion.

i? v Plymouth Borough and the Taranaki School Commissioners' Exchange Biil (Mr Smith) was read a second time. MARRIAGE VALIDATION ACT EXTENSION BILL. Sir W. STEWARD moved the second reading-. T he Hon. Mr MILLAR opposed the further tendencies favoured in the Bill. Mr J. ALLEN was glad to see the Minister taking up the attitude and would support him. The House divided: Ayes. i 6' Noes, 44. ' '

EVENING SITTING,

The House resumed at 7.30.SATURDAY UNIVERSAL HALF HOLIDAY BILL. LAURENSON moved the second reading. He urged the benefits to the community generally of the measure, and said he had evidence of the experiences in various cities Which encourage the belief tnat the shopkeepers will not suffer. H claimed that the experience (rf the Closing of the factories, banks, and other houses of business proved that the public would easily get accustonr .1° tlle c - osin S of the shops. Mr ARNOLD could not give a snent vote on such an important measure, which ought to be fully discussed even if it had no chance of getting on the Statute Book this session. He would prefer a measure confining the universal Saturday half holiday to the chief centres, and larger boroughs, on condition ot a plebiscite. Nevertheless, he would support the principle of a ocituiday half holiday by voting for the second reading. Ho urged the importance at the same time of removing the anomalies on -ffo existing la\Vj instancing particularly the difficult and unfair position of what might be termed the combined trades us complicated by recent decisions, lie would like an expression of opinion from the country parly, not only about this Bill, but about tinLabour laws generally, as affecting their constituencies. The Hon. the PREMIER hoped the country would not embark on such an expensive subject. Re' ferring to the Bill, he criticised it as ignoring the local option principle which suited all the various interests affected. The passing of the measure would oniy increase the present chaos so much complained of. He objected to any proposal confining the half holiday to the boroughs without reference to the country districts, whose interests would be affected, As to the universal half holiday, he thought, for his part, that if such a thing' ever came to pass, Wednesday would be found, judging "by the present experience of that dav, to be the fa,vouri|e wi)Vi' the public. Before making any change, lie strongly urged they ought to ascertain very carefully the results of tile present system. Mr McLACHLAN opposed the Bill.

Mr MANDER thought Wednesday suited town and coointry better than Saturday. It would be impossible for the working people in the country to come in for their purchases any other day than Saturday. He spoke from experience of the com billed district of VYhangarei. Mr ELL denied that the people are now consulted, the matter being settled by the local bodies. There ought, of course, to be local option, and the vote should be taken over a wide area, so as to secure a representation of all interests. Replying to the argument o» behalf of the. workers, he said that the workers were the very people who were calling for the universal Saturday half holiday. That day certainly suited the vast numbers of people addicted to sport of various kinds, and thev wero probably the bulk of the population. ■ Much had been said about Shopping needs, but the average man could do all tho shopping he wanted in 1 one or two hours every month. Moreover, the wives could do the family shopping at any time they )ikpd, find probably did it now. fje hoped the jjjll would be passed, and certan areas of voting fixed.

Mr FISHER, commenting on the division among the city men, said lie would vote against the Bill. The Bill of last year had dislocated trade from one end of the colony to another, and the Bill proposed to do that over again. With a proper proviso for local option lie wou'd have supported the Bill.

Mr HOGG opposed the Bill. His impression was that the people behind the Bill were going too far. Restrictions wero getting so numerous that attempts presently would be made to regulate everything in the universe, including the sunshine. It reminded him that he knew of a man from Mount View whose fixed idea was that the world was wrong because it went round too fast by two i: j;rs in every revolution. He denounced these attempts at restrictions as exceedingly selfish and ridiculously drastic.

The Hon. Mr MILLAR objected to tin' lii", as not representing public opinion. The various decisions proved that incontcstably. lie would advise the member for Lyttelton to take the second reading if he could get it, and bring- up the Bill later on in an improved form.

Mr GRAY favoured n direct vote of the electors of each district.

Mr IZARD did not like the Hill, but would vote for the second reading with the intention of making- It more in accordance with the democratic principle of local option. Mr MILLS thought it well the'ugh preferring Saturdav for his own part, to 'cave welt alone.

Mr GRAHAM thought that as the people are just settling down after a great disturbance, it would be best to leave tilings ns they ar. Mr pointed out that tap Saturday ha ! f holiday was now compulsory tor factories and ofliceSj and he could not see why not shops. It had been said there was no desire for the Bill outside, but he thought that a petition wilh 26,000 signatures represented a substantial demand. The House divided: Ayes 23, noes 47, and tin- Bill was lost. FARRIERS BILL. Mr MAJOR moved the second reading. Mes'rs McLachlan, Stevens, Bennett, Witty, and the Hon. J, Carroll

approved, and Mr Mander opposed the Bill, which provides for the registration of farriers before January ist next, the qualifications being (i) not less than a year's practice of fan riers, (2) the passing of such examination as may be prescribed by the Chief Veterinarian. The second rading passed on the voices. LAMPS IN VEHICLES BILL. The second reading was moved by Mr Major. The Ilo'use divided: Ayes 17, noes 30. The Bill was -Ost. Th House adjourned at 11.40 p.m.