GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1919, 20 July 1889, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. On "Wednesday The Wellington-Manawatu Eailway Company's Drainage Empowering Bill and the Hawera Borough Endowment Bill were passed. The adjourned debate on the second reading of the Legislative Council Bill was continued by Mr Oliver, who spoke strongly against it. Mr Walker and Mr Wilson also opposed it. Mr Reynolds, Mr Pharazyn and Mr Barnicoat supported the Bill. Dr Pollen moved an amendment that the Bill be read a second time this day six months. The debate was adjourned. On Thursday, 'On resuming the debate on the second reading of the Legislative Council Bill, Mr Robinson, Mr Mantell, Mr Hart, and Mr A eland spoke against the Bill, and Mr McLesn supported it. The Attorney-General replied, and the Bill was thrown out after a division by 11 to 10. The., Otago Marriage Bill, the Marriaga Bill, and the Registration of Births Extension Bill were committed. The first named and the last were passed, and the Marriage Bill was reperfced with amendments. The Canterbury Society of Arts Reserve Bill was read a second time.

HOTJJE OF SEPSESENTATIVES. On Wednesday, The .Napier Oddfellows' Lodge Site Bill was read a tkird time and passed. Heplyiag to questions, Ministers said that some alteration was necessary in the audit of accounts of local governing bodies. Provision would be made to remedy the inconvenience to which local bodies were exposed by reason of the delay in the audit of accounts. Government had no intention of filling the vacancy on the Representation Commission. A number of Bills were read a first time. Mr Withey moved that it is imperative that the Government should without delay introduce a Bill giving power to the people by direct vote at the ballot box periodically taken to prohibit the sale of liquors within the district in which they reside. He said he aimed at an extension of the present Act.—Carried by 46 to 26. Mr Barron moved that a gradual annual decrease of the property tax be made.—Lost by 60 to 12. Mr Joyce moved the second reading of the Shop Hours Bill, proyidiug for the limitation ot the hours of attending in shops. He spoke at length in support of the measure. After some debate Mr Joyce agreed to insert a clause, making it optional for any city or borough to have it if required. The motion for the'Second reading was agreed to on the voices. The Criminal Evidence Bill passed through Committee. On clause 3, providingjthat an accused person, when not defended by counsel, be allowed to give .evidence in answer to the charge, a lengthy discussion ensued. Mr Khodes moved to report progress, as the clause was evidently not understood. He eventually withdrew his amendment;. —The Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed.

Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the ©old Duty Abolition Bill, which he explained provided that the duty levied on the export of gold be reduced annually 6d for every ounce, and that four years after passing the Act the duty on gold exported would cease altogether. —The Minister of Mine« opposed, but the second reading was carried by 37 to 22. On Thursday,

The New Zealand Bank Act, 1861, Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Fisher made a personal explanation, in which he stated that the whole Gasparini correspondence up to a certain point had been returned to him by the Premier with the latter's corrections. These documents he held in his hand, and they would disprove the Premier's statement that he had only received a lengthy memorandum from Mr Fisher.

Eeplying to questions, Ministers said that the Agent-General had accepted the appointment of trustee for the Midland Railway Company without emolument, but would resign if any complication arose ; that legislation affecting gas companies was unsatisfactory, and the question was under consideration ; Gfovernment did not see their way to exempt volunteer drillsheds and boatslieds from municipal taxes and rates ; old soldiers' claims, whether by petition or otherwise, would be considered by the Committee not sitting.

The Oamaru Harbor Board Loan .Bill was committed. The Educational Eranchise Bill was considered in Committee, read a third time, and passed. The Trieanial Licensing Bill was passed through Committee, read a third time, and passed:—Aa amendment proposed in Committee, extending the franchise to females, was lost by 35 to 33. The Eight Hours Bill was considered in Committee. Clause 2 Eight hours a day's work; forty-eight hours a week's work. Dr Hodgkinson moved to strike out the clause. After a long debate an amendment moved by Mr Samuel, that the chairjuiiiu leave the chair, was carried. The Town Districts Act, 188 L Amendment Bill was reported, read & #aird time, and passed. I