TEMUKA PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1378, 13 August 1885, Page 2

TEMUKA PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

The weekly meeting of the Temuka Parliamentary Union took place last Tuesday evening. There was a good attendance, and the Speaker took the chair at 7.50. Before the business commenced the Attorney General (Mr Aspinall) apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Premier, who had been called away on urgent business. Mr Levens asked if the Government were in favor of granting a subsidy for the erection of cottage hospitals in small centres of population (for instance in such places as Temuka) it being a wellknown fact that the conveying ot a patient who has met with an accident a distance of 40 or 50 miles to the nearest hospital is a very serious affair, —The Colonial Secretary replied that the Government did not think such hospitals were necessary and therefore were not in favor of granting a subsidy for their establishment. In regard to Temuka there was a first-rate hospital within 12 miles. Mr Smith asked whether it was the intention ot the Government to bring in a Bill having for its object the prohibition of all processions, whether religious, social or political. General said the Government did not intend to make any alteration in the present law regarding processions. Under the Police Offences Act any procession which might bo considered inimical to the public peace could be prohibited. Mr Wills (Waimate) then moved—- *• That ladies shall be admitted to all sittings ot the House, as visitors.’' In doing so he said that the presence of ladies would have a most moralising and beneficial effect on the House. The motion was second by Mr Haines (Kaiapoi), who also briefly ex pressed bis belief that great benefit*' would accrue from the presence of ladies at the debates. Mr Murray (Ashley) moved as an amendment in a very humorous speech —“ That ladies shall not be admitted to the House.” The amendment was seconded by Mr Wood (Avon). Mr Lee (Mount Egraont) and the Attorney-General spoke against tho amendment, and the Native Minister, Colonial Secretary and PostmasterGeneral for it. Mr Bryars in his speech drew attention to the provisions which might have to be made for the ladies were they admitted, but did not state whether he supported the amendment or motion. On a division being taken the amendment was carried by a minority of two. the following is the division list ; Ayes : Murray, Wood, Wood, G«z-‘, Bambridge, Bolton, Qoltman, Mclnn^s,

G. Hraitb, and Mogridge. Noes : Wills, Haines, Hargreaves, Aspinall Hayes, Pinckney, Bryars, and Lee. In the course of the discussion it was pointed out that the rule contained nothing preventing ladies from attending, and that they could attend if they pleased to do so. Mr Mclnness (Inangahua) suggested that a list of the members’ names, with constituencies they represented, should be placed in a conspicuous posin'on in the House.—The Attorney-General said that this would be attended to before next meeting. The Hon, the Colonial Treasurer moved the second reading of the Chattels Secunties Act Amendment Act, or Bills of Sale Bill, and, in doing so, briefly explained its provisions. Mr Wills (Wairaate) opposed the Bill, because it placed too much power in the hands of the Official Assignee. The Attorney-General denied that unler the provisions of the Bill any arbitrary power was placed in the hands of the Official Assignee. The Bill, if passed, would do away with a lot of the swindling that now took place by means of bills of sale, Dr Hayes (Geraldine) supported the Bill. Anything that tended to prevent the giving of bills of sale for dishonest purposes was n step in the right direction. The hon. member then relerred to how unsatisfactory the public examination of bankrupts is under the present Act, and said he was afraid one part of the Bill would tend in a similar direction. Mr Hargreaves (Rodney) said the Bill would be a bar to trade, and he should have to oppose it. It would, for instance, debar an auctioneer taking a bill of sale over any cattle or anything else he might sell, and would thus restrict trade. The Native Minister stated that the Bill might be amended in that direction in Committee, and Mr Hargreaves said in that case lie should support it. Mr Lee (Mount Egraonl) supported the Bill, and gave several instances of how unjustly the present law with regard to bills of sale worked. Mr Murray (Ashley) opposed the Bill. He thought that because a man was up to bis neck in financial difficulties was no reason that he should drown. The effect of the Bill would be to make a man’s private affairs too public. The Bill was then read a second time on the voices. The Attorney-General then moved the second reading of the Tenants’ Rights Bill. Mr Wills (Waimate), Mr Bryars (Christchurch East), Dr Hayes (Geraldine), and Mr Lee (Mount Egmont) supported the Bill. All made very practical speeches in support thereof. Mr Mogridge enquired whether the Bill would apply to allotments taken up by tradespeople and others in towns on lease, and was informed that it would not. No opposition was made to the Bill, and it passed its second reading on the voices. The House then adjourned till Thursday, the 20th inst.