PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 9417, 10 June 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

QUESTIONS. In reply to questions, Ministers stated that diamond drills would be purchased for the purpose of letting them to local bodies , that no steps would be taken for the purpose of testing the weight of loaves of bread, as buyers could demand that they should be weighed ; that a measure to throw reserves in Otago and Southland open to the public would bo introduced; and that arrangements would be made for the establishment of female immigration. NEW ZEALAND COLLIERIES. Mr Munro moved for a Select Committee to report on how to improve the

for shipping in Westport in order to develop the coal trade. Amendments to the effect that ports cont'gious to coal fields in all parts of the colony be reported on were added, ard after some debate, in the course of which Mr Macandrew said that the coal deposits on the West Coast would pay all tbe National Debt, the motion was agreed to. EMPLOYERS LIABILITY BILL. Mr Green moved thesecond reading of the measure. , Its principal feature is that em-; P'.oyersareto be rendered liable for injuries sustained by their employees owing to the negligence of their employers or their managers. The question was debated at some length, most speakers favoring it,and ultimately, the Bill was referred to a select committee to report on. DISTRESS AMENDMENT BILL. Mr Holmes moved the second reading of the Distress Amendment Bill. The Bill was designed ,o protect the goods and chattels of persons other than the tenant found upon premises from being dis. trained upon for rent. There was also a clause enacting that property to the extent of £25 belonging to the debtor could not be distrained upon. The latter enactment extended a provision of the kind contained in the Debtors and Creditors Act. Mr DeLautour moved as an amendment That it is desirable the Bill should be withdrawn, and Government be requested to introduce a Bill similar to that of the last session for the total abolition of disvraint for rent.” Mr Dick said Government had not made up their mind on the subject. If landlords were placed in the same posit’on as shopkeepers, they could turn out a tor ant any day, and that would not be to the interest of the tenant. ■ After considerable discussion the Bil 1 was read on a division of 42 to 21. EVIDENCE BILL. Mr Hutchison moved the second reading of the above Bill, and it was carried on the voices. EIGHT HOURS LABOR BILL. This Bill was considered in committee. Several members proposed amendments to the Bill but they were negatived. F VITANGATA RELIEF FUND. On Thursday the principal question discussed was the Kaitangata relief fund. Mr Joyce moved for a select committee to report as to whether the conditions on which the funds for that purpose had been gathered had been fulfilled ; what was the legal standing of the trustees, and whether legislation on the subject was necessary to prevent any misappropriation of the funds. He said the trustees acted like a board of guardians. They relieved cases they thought proper, and never since asked whether relief was necessary in any disaster which had taken place. Mr Dick said that £16,000 had been subscribed,and that the trustees had done their duty faithfully. The surplus, after providing for the sufferers, in whose behalf the money was collected was set aside to relievo similar disasters, but nothing similar had since occurred. Several members having spoken, some supporting and some condemning it, the debate was adjourned.