PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 July 1916, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, By relegraph,—Press Association. Wellington, July 23; The Council met at 2.30. Hon. J. McGregor asked whether the Government will invite the judges to give their opinion on the question as to whether the Juries Act, 1908, should be amended, go that the verdict of threefourths majority shall be taken as a verdict of the whole in criminal cases. Sir P. H. D. Bell said he would communicate with the judges on the matter. ihe Council then adj mrned out of respect to the memory of Mr. Esoott, member for Pahiatua, until Monday, at HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

: HOTEL HOUBS. After the Telegraph Office closed, Mr. Anderson moved an amendment provid* i?® *? r * a kin£ of a poll in regard to the limitation of hours during which licensed houses shall be kept open. Mr. Wilford argued that the proposed amendment was valueless and would plaoe some members in a false position as to the referendum. Mr. Isitt deplored the fact that the national Government was placing itself as a buttress and barrier between the people anil their wishes. If s referendum were taken on the subject the opponents of prohibition would be "snowed under" three times over. Mr. Wright commented adversely on the attitude of the National Government on this question. Mr. \\ dford defended the Government and said if the leader of the Prohibitionists would consent to a referendum on State control he (Mr. Wilford) would agree to a referendum on the question of hours. Mr. \\ right approved the amendment. Messrs. liindmarsh and Field (Nelson) supported the idea of a referendum. Mi. Payne said he had not heard a word in justification for the heavy expense which would be necessitated by taking a referendum. Mr. Anderson's amendment wag rajected by 28 votes to 44. , Mr. Wilford , then moved that the opening hour for hotels be 8 o'clock. This was lost by 31 votes'to 38. Mr Hindmarsh moved that the opening hours should be 7 o'clock, explaining that he did so in the interest of the employees This was lost by 31 votes to 38. . . Mr. Herdman moved a series of amendments giving power to make regulations for the cancellation of publicans' licenses in certain cases. These were agreed to and the Bill was renorted with amendments. The House rose at 3.20.

ALICE PARKINSON CASH. Wellington, Last Night The House met at 2.30. The M to Z Petitions Committee, rft> porting on the case of Alice May Parkinson, now under sentence for manslaughter at Napier, stated that they had no recommendation to make in the matter of tlu petition praying for clemenc;', and for the reduction of the sentence. Mr. L. M. Isitt said lie had been informed that the use of a schoolroom in his district had been refused lo the Roman Catholics. He asked the Minister for Education to refer the matter to Cabinet. Mr. Hanan said he would have pleasure in doing so. DEATH OF MR. ESCOTT. The Premier moved a resolution to the effect that the House record its high sense of the services rendered to New Zealand by the late Mr. Escott, member for Pahiatua, and of sympathy with his relatives. ITe said his late comrade was a man of high principle. He had fought in the South African War, and would have joined the Expeditionary Forces in the present war had his health permitted. He was a consistent supporter of the side in politics that he favored, and was highly respected "by men of all shades in politics; and was widely respected throughout the electorate lie represented. He had left many friends and not a single enemy. Mr. Russell, in the absence of S;"r Joseph Ward, seconded the motion. He said the late member has always shown a generous spirit. He would he alway remembered as one who was thoroughly sincere and panly in all his- public actions. Messrs. Forbes, (Sykes, Harris, Payne. Guthrie, Buick, and Wilkinson added their tributes of respect. The motion was carried. The House adjourned at 3.35 p.m. out of respect to the deceased member, until 2.30 to-morrow.