GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2525, 6 July 1893, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Monday. SECOND READINGS. The Magistrates' Courts Bill and Criminal Code Bill were read a second time, and referred to the Joint Statutes lievision Committee.—The first-named Bill extends the jurisdiction of Magistrates up to £2OO in civil cases, and the second measure, which was introduced by Sir ¥. Whitaker in 1883, is simply a consolidation of existing criminal statutes, and amongst other provisions it gives persons the r-ghc of appealing against the decisions of the Supreme Court. The Council rose at 3.40 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. ELLESMERE LANDS. The Ellesmere Lake Lands Bill was passed through Committee without amendment;, was read a third time, and passed. civil service insuravce. The Hon. Mr Ward moved the second reading of the Civil Service Insurance Bill. He said the Civil Service Beform Ace providing that a deduction should be made from each salary, and accumulated in the Public Trust Office, did not in the opinion of the Government go far enough, and the self-supporting scheme proposed in the present Bill would take its place. The Civil Service Association wished to know whether Civil Servants would be treated under the Bill as outsiders were treated by the Government Insurance Department. To that he replied that they would. In answer to another question of the Association, he would state that the amount intended to be provided for at death was one year's salary, an annuity also being paid. It was intended to entirely abolish retiring allowances, except in case of persons incapacitated by accident. Policemen and school teachers would be able to take advantage of the Bill if two-thirds of their number desired it. After a brief discussion, the second reading was agreed to on the voices. ELECTORAL BILL. The Electoral Bill was read a second time on the voices without further amendment. PAYMENT OF MBMBKRS The Payment of Members Act Amendment Bill, to provide for members receiving their honorarium from the date of their election, was read a second time on the voices.—The Hon. Mr Seddon, in explaining the measure, said that as the law now stood members were not entitled to payment till they had taken their seats in the House. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. The Hon. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill, providing that for debts of less than £IOO imprisonment should be totally abolished. He strongly urged the necessity for the Bill, pointing out that great abuses had taken place under the. present law, and they should endeavor to remedy them by a Bill of this character. The Bill was debated At considerable length, a large minority of speakers supporting it, and the discussion had not concluded when the House took the usual 5.30 adjournment. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. ■ On the House resuming at 7.30 p.m., the Hon. Mr Ward, Colonial Treasurer, delivered his Financial Statement, • occupying one hour and a half.