GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1248, 4 October 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The New Zealand Shipping Company's Empowering Bill was read a third time and passed. Replying to Mr Hamlin, the Hon. Mr Ballance said it waa not intended to take special steps for introducing from Cornwall a number of fishermen for the establishment of fisheries on these coasts, but the nominated system of immigration when resumed would enable anyone interested in the question to introduce this class on favorable terms. Replying to Mr Seddon, the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel said the Life Insurance Policy Bill introduced to-day would deal with the matter of married women borrowing money on their Life policies with the consent of their husbands. Replying to Mr Holmes, the Hon. Mr Richardson said no special arrangement existed between the Railway Department and any carrying company. These companies were in operation under arrangements with consignees, the Department having no right to interfere. It was found that these companies could distribuie goods and collect charges nvn-e advantageously than could be done by the department. The following bills were introduced and read a first time: —Waikato Confiscated Lands (Hon. Mr Ballance) ; To Encourage the Production of Sugar from Beetroot and Sorghum (Hon. Sir Julius Vogel). Mr Walker moved that country volunther corps should be placed on a more satisfactory footing. Mr Seddon bore testimony to the fact that country corps were most anxious to be placed on a more satisfactory footing.—Carried. Mr Bradshaw moved that a medical practitioner, while in tli9 practice of his profession, should not hold the office of coroner in Now Zealand. Mr Levestam moved as an amendment that the office of Coroner be abolished altogether. The office was in his opinion an antiquated one, and notwithstanding the verdict of such a tribunal it was open for the police, if they were dissatisfied, to institute independent proceedings. The motion was carried.

Mr Dargaville moved thd second reading of the Bank Notes Security Bill. The object of the Bill was to provide sufficient security for the paper currency. The public impression was that such was at present the case. The better informed, however, knew that such was not the case. The not© circulation was about a million sterling, upon which a large percentage was yielded, equal to 2 per cent. The State largely participated in these profits, consequently it was incumbent on the State to afford the general public the utmost possible security. These notes circulated for the most part amongst the wages-earning class, and it was well known that the principle of giving special protection to that class had been in many ways recognised. In the bankruptcy laws they had certain preferential claims provided for them, and in many other ways the principle was recognised.—The motion for the second reading was carried. Sir George Grey moved the kecond reading of the Justices of Peaca Act 1882 Amendment Bill.—Carried.

Mr Hobbs moved the second reading of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1881 Amendment Bill (No. 2). —Carried. Mr Conolly moved the second reading of the Alienation of Land Bill. Its object was to prevent the entailing of an estate. —Carried. The Anatomy Act Amendment Bill was considered in Committee, and reported without amendment. The Employment of Females and Others Act Amendment Bill was considered in Committee, and reported without amendment. The Bills of Exchange Act 1883 Amendment Act was considered in Committee, and reported with a new clause. The House rose at 12.15 a.m.

In the House on Thursday, on the motion of Mr Barron, the Trustees Executors and Agency Companies Act 1882 Amendment Bill was read a, third time and passed. Sir George Grey read the introduction of a Bill to provide that Judges of the , Supreme be henceforth appointed for the I term of five years and no longer. The House divided, Ayas 31, Noes 26. On the motion of the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel it was agreed that they meet for Government business on Monday evening. In reply to a question, the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel said the Government could not fix a time for the delivery of the Public "Works Statement. It would come down within the next ten days, and that was the nearest indication he could give. In Committee on the Otago Harbour Board Loans Consolidation Bill. On a division, £600,000 was substituted tor £700,000 in clause 3, by 41 to 21. _ The remainder of the Bill passed without material amendment and was reported as amended'

Tim Affirmation in Lieu of Oaths Extension Bill passed through Committee, whs reported without amendment, reud a third time and passed. The Town Districts Act 1883 Amendment Bill was discharged on the application of Mr White. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Commercial Law Procedure Bill, which was carried. The debate on the Native Lands Amendment Bill was adjourned for a week. The debate on tha Gold Duties Abolition Bill was resumed by Mr Buckland, who opposed the measure. The Hob. Sir Julius "Vogel said that this duty was wholly indispensable. It was in reality a royalty, and not a duty, It was a fair tax.—Mr Wakefield supported the Bill.—The motion for going into Committee was carried on the voices. —ln Committee on clause 2an amendment was carried on a division of 38 to 9 providing that the abolition of duty should be brought into operation on an Order-in-Council being issued. After another amendment had been proposed by Mr Seddon and lost, the Bill was reported with amendments, and the House mljourned.