GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1742, 26 May 1888, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

On Wednesday Ur Buckley introduced the Indictable Offences Act Repeal Bill 1888. The Criminal Code Bill was read a read a second time* The following Bills passed all their etages“ Penalties Recorery and Remission Bill," “ Justices ef the Peace Act Amendment Bill,” “ Demise of the Crown Bill," "Weatlaod and Grey Education Boarda Bill.”

HOUSE OF BBPRESENXATIYBS. On Wednesday Lssre of absence tor on* month was granted to Mr Valentine on private busi ness. It was agresd that (be House at its rising adjourn till Friday next. Replying to questions, it was stated that Government would' see if the halfyearly payments from settlers in special settlements might be paid to locui postmasters instead of being remitted to Weliogton; that Government could not l gro9 to issue privileged railway tickets to

employees whose salaries f’o! not exceed £llO per annum ; that it wap the practice in the oo'onios to issue railway passes of n durable character to members, and tbs' the cost of the new passes was £220; that no instructions bed been issued for a redistribution of boundaries under the Representation Act 1887, but if necessary instructions would be, given ; that, it necessary, steps wouldbo taken to inflct a penalty on persons;. who under thf designation of “ faith healers” extracted fees froti weak-minded jor ignorant inyilide; that a Bill repealing the Graymomh Harbor Act would be brought in thia session, and Government coaid give no explanation as to the removal of the late mambars of the Grey Barber Board till the Bill was brought in ; jthat Gove*noaent bad been compelled to refuse collect telegrams from members, ia of the great abuse of the privilege, and that Minister* would the right to return them if they considered; they did not relate to public matters ; that it whs not considered advisable to make any change in the banking arrangements of the colony at present, and that it would be very unwise to keep the public l account with the associated banks in New Zealand ; that instructions would be issued to charge for wheat on railways by actual weight. A lengthy discussion took placs on the whole question of railway ;charges for carrying wheat, etc , the adj'onrnm n nt of the House having been moved. —Mr Ward objected to Mr Mitchelson’s statement that 2401 b should be the limit for wheat on the railways. -—Several other members took the same view, and urged that the farmers of the country should receive more consideration in the matter of railway charges.—Mr Milchelson ■ said h<* should take c«re that wheat was charged for by weight before next season, and farmers would be notified of the change.

Replying to Mr O’Callaghnn, Mr Fergus said there was no truth whatever jh the report that war in Europe was imminent ; neither the (Governor not any member oil the Ministry had received;any intimation of it. Mr Hutchison moved the second reading of the Employment of Females and Others Act Amendment Bil!, restricting the lion's ef female emplovment to not more than eight hours.—Agreed to. Mr Mackenzie (Clutha) moved the second rending of the Californian Thistle Eradication Bill,—The second reading was carried on the voices. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Limitation of Vote* Bill, Mr Hislop having remarked that any support he might give must be taken without prejudice to . the Electoral Bill.—Agreed to. Mr Samuel moved the second reading of the Diverce Extension and Amendment ■Bill, Its principal, prbvisionsiextended^ the grounds for divorce to adultery by either party, attempt to murder, desertion for seveo years continuously, and sentence to penal servitude for seven yearsi Mr Samuel urged, th«t the time had now arrived when the law, of divorce demanded reform, and he deprecated the objections which bethought wers likely to bo brought forward. He was prepared to acc.apt amendments in committse in the direction of preventing the Bill being made retrospective, and limiting the time within which a petition must be presented. Mi Taiwhanga supported the Bill, because be was a sufferer under the existing law. He would like to eee habitual drunkenness included among the grounds for divorce.—ln replying to the various arguments against the Bill, Mr Samuel said since its first Introduction, five yeare ago, he bad received close on ; a thousand letters, etc,, urging him to push it through. —The House divided, and the motion was carried by 37 to 21. The Educational Franchise Bill wae considered in committee. Clause 2 was amended that ,V householder *’ shot Id mean every adult person residing in the district, end any parent or guerditn of a child attending any school in the district. Clause 4 was amended bjr striking out “ publication of nominations to school committees in newspapers,” The Bill was reported with amendment*, and the House rose till Friday.