GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1238, 11 September 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. Dr Pollen asked the Government if they knew that in the Native Court nowsitting in the Waikato district the English language is officially prohibited, the public business in Court being conducted in the Maori language,—The Hon. the Colonial Secretary said the Council was indebted to Hr Pollen for having brought this matter forward. He had no doubt that the lion gentleman’s information was substantially correct. Ho had endeavored to ascertain whether that were so, but had not been able to get the necessary information at present. He hoped to do so shortlyr and would then inform the Council.

Mr Chamberlain moved—“ That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that the licensing laws of the colony be amended in the direction of prohibiting the employment of women or girls at the bars of hotels or public-houses.” In \ speaking to the motion Mr Chamberlain said that barmaids lured young men to destruction. —The motion was lost on the voices. The mover then demanded a division, when it was found there was not a quorum present, and theJSpeaker held that it must be deemed a lapsed question. Mr Nurse moved—“ That in the opinion of this Council the Government should take some steps for the prevention of lads under a certain age* carrying firearms, either by imposing a gun license or otherwise.” The motion was lost ou the voices. Mr Nurse’s name was added to the Committee to enquire into the working of the Sheep and Rabbit Act, and the Council adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. Sir George Grey gave notice that he would move in the direction of getting a sura of money provided for supplying the people of the colony, through the Press, with a telegraphic summary of events occurring throughout the world. The Hon. Sir Julius Vogel gave notice he would introduce a Members’ Honorarium and Privilege Bill. Replying to Mr Peacock, the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel said arrangements were being made, and would be completed oa the Ist prox., for receiving newspapers as well as letters at postal boxes situated in suburban districts.

Replying to Mr Johnston, the Hon. Mr Richardson said the cost of erecting a new printing office be so great that Government would not undertake the work at the present time. Replying to Mr Steward, the Hon. Mr Tole said the Government was in communication with the District Judge as to the propriety of establishing periodical sittings of the District Court at Waimate. Replying to Mr Steward, the Hon. Mr Ballance said authority would be asked for setting aside blocks of land for securing to Waimate half-castes areas of land contemplated by the Half-caste’s Land Act, and the blocks would be laid off in sections of the requisite sire. Replying to Mr Steward, the Hon, Mr Richardson said a Government passenger bridge would be erected over the branch line at Studholme Junction. Replying to Mr Menteith, the Hon. Mr Richardson said the Goverhment had no objection to lay before Members the plans and estimates of detailed surveys recently made of the Canterbury and West Coast Railway. Replying to Mr Menteitb, the Hon. Mr Stout said that the provision hitherto made for hospitals would be again made. The general question of the provision to be made for these institutions was one of serious import, and would demand careful consideration. Replying to Mr Beetham, the Hon. Mr Stout said no step was contemplated in the direction of amending the Registration of Electors Act 1879.

Replying to a question put by Mr Moss relative to certain returns, the Hon. Mr Stout said it was quite true that a sum of £76,000 and not £55,000, had been advanced out of the Insurance Department to the Waimea Plains Railway Company. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time To Abolish the Postage Rat" on Newspapers Printed Within the Colony (Sir George Grey) ; Wellington Harbor Board Loans Consolidating and Empowering Act (Mr Johnston) ; Gaming and Lotteries Act 1881 Amendment (Mr Fitzherbert.) On the motion for going into Committee on the Married Women’s Property Bill, Mr Wakefield objected to the measure as altogether uncalled for. It was simply a transcript of a similar Bill which had lately passed the English Legislature. He protested against the system of accepting a measure fo r no better reason than that it had become law in England. Moreover, in England it was a well-known fact that the measure was looked upon as being most pernicious. Its tendencies were to divert the woman from the control of her husband, and get some other third party interposed. It was designed to promote a diversity of interests, which, if carried out to a certain extent, would he most subversive cf domestic felicity. He moved that it be committed that day six months.—The motion for going into Committee was carried, and after consideration was reported with a few unimportant amendments. Mr Wi Pere moved—“ That the administration of native lands is most unsatisfactory and ought to be reformed ; that the system frequently adopted by the Chief Justice in causing cases in regard to land situated in certain districts to be heard at sittings of the Court held at places far distant from the blocks in question, is wrong in principle, and the cause of unnecessary hardship and loss to native owners; that it is wrong for the Chief Judge to hear new claims, because if the natives are aggrieved at his decision there is really no appeal, he s having heard the case; that the fees charged are too high, and in many cases the real ovmers are debarred from prosecuting their claims on account of the excessive charges, and lose their land in consequence.”—The Hon. Mrßallance said the matter would be carefully enquired into and every effort made to remedy any defect that might be found to exist, — Mr Wi Pere then withdrew the motion. Mr Levestam moved—“ That the enormous cost of paying civil servants and high railway officials tor holidays ought not to be considered to press

lighter upon the taxpayers than the payment for wages for holidays to the lowpaid railway day laborers.” Mr Joyce moved as an amendment — “That the wages of these employees should not be deducted on the holidays named.” The Hon. Mr Stout suggested that they should test the feelings of members by moving that a sum be placed on the Estimates for the purpose. He said the proposal meant an expenditure of £IO,OOO, and because the Government would not at once agree to it, all manner of abuse was hulled at their beads. The rule was that men who were paid for overtime did not get paid for holidays, but those who were not paid overtime were paid for holidays. If this all round payment was to be for holidays, then the cost to the colony would be at least £30,000. Mr Steward contended that if these estimates were correct for five holidays, then over a million of money must be paid per annum for wages to these men. That estimate was altogether absurd. The amendment was then put and carried on the voices, and the House adjourned at 11.20 p.m.