GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1112, 23 June 1883, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In the Legislative Council on Wednesday, the debate on the Address in Reply was continued, Sir G. Wlritmore stated that that part of it which le ferred to the Legislative Counail was the greatest insult ever offered to a body of men.

Several Bills wrre read a second time. In the House of .Representatives on Wednesday, Leave of absence for two weeks was granted to M-'sers Hobbs and Pilliet. Replying to Mi Fish, the Hon Mr Conolly said the Government would not introduce a measure to alter the Licensing Act by reverting from Ihe elective to the nominated Bench system. Replying to Mr Fish, the Hon Mr RoJleston said provision had been made for the introduction of 5000 immigrants each year, or at the rate of about 45ft by each monthly vessel. A few single wotUHii in excess of th<) nominated immigrants were not provided for in this number. Among the new Bi Is introduced and read a first time, was one by Mr Sutler, ' Timaru Racecourse,' and one by Mr Postlethwaite ' The Com;ty of Geraldiue Waterworks.' On the motion of the Hon Mr Rolleston for fixing a date for the second reading of the Affirmation and Declaration Bill, Sir G. Grey demurred, stating that the -neasure in question was in effect exactly similar to one already introduced by himself this session. Major Atkinson replied. He said the subj.-et was one which the Government must deal with, and they could not give way to any private member. The motion for the second reading on Friday was put and carried. A discussion took place en the hours of sitting, Mr Macandrew moving that during the remainder of the session on ordinary sit;ing days the hours be from 11 a.m. to 5.20 p.m. Major Atkinson sympathised with the motion, an 1 ilih question was ref-nvd to the Standing Committee. Mr Seddon resumed the debate on the Address in Reply, and after a number ot Speakers had given their opinions it \ias agreed to. The Hon Mi.jor Atkinson promised to state on Friday when the Fii-ancinl and Public Works Staiements would be brought down, and other Governnvnt business. On Thursday, Replying to Mr Daniel, the Hon. Mr Johnson said there was no need for any Bill for the purpose of compelling Government contractors and sub contractors to pay their workmen in cash at the end of each fourteen days, a* a clause to that effect was inserted in all Government contracts. In order that the men might more fully understand their rights in the matter, the clause would be notified in the public Press. A penalty of £SO was to be imposed for every violation of such mode of payment. The Working Men's Lifln Bill wag introduced by Mr Feldwitk. Mr Bathgate supported the Bill. The hardships of the Act of 1871 were that the plaintiff had to get judgment before he could endorse his lien, and the result was that when a contractor absconded, as was very often the case, it was impossible to serve the summons, consequently no judgment could be got. This Act provided against such a difficulty. It provided that on the contractor getting notice from the workmen thai operated as an arrest of all moneys in his hands belonging to the debtor until the debt had been satisfied. It wa« a fact that this was done in Scotland.

The motion for the second reading was carried.

Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners Bill. Its object was to get iid of the examination clause in general knowledge provided for under the Act of last session. After a Ion:? debate the motion fi the second reading was carried on the voices.