GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2548, 29 August 1893, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. The Customs Duties Bill, the Lyttelton Orphanage Lands Vesting Bill, passed their final stages. Owing to the absence of the Chairman of Committees, the committal of the Electoral Bill was deferred till Tuesday.

The Companies Act Amendment Bill was read a second time.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday.

REPLIES TO QUESTION'S

In reply to Mr Earnshaw, the Premier said that he had no information that gambling to a large extent was carried on in a newly-established club in Wellington. A short debate followed, in which several members resented the slur which was cast on all clubs in the colony by this question. Replying to other questions, it was stated that the Government did not think that they would be warranted in appointing a Royal Commission lo enquire into the financial condition of Friendly Societies, but they had a largo amount of information on the subject, and enquiry would be made into their position ; that it was the intention of the Government to increase the detective force in the colony. GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. The Premier announced that he hoped to set apart Monday evening next for Labour legislation, and he proposed to take the taxation proposals ou Tuesday. The Government would then be in a position to state what amount of revenue they would receive from the proposals. The Bjll relating to the Justice Department, the Government Railways Act Amendment Bill, and the Mining Bill, would probably occupy the House till the end of the week, and he hoped in the following week to bring down the Public Works Statement. After that he would be able to say what BilL the Government proposed to go ou with this gession. He miMit be in a position at the end of fjext week to mention the likely date of the prorogation. The House roso M 5.30 p.m, and resumed at 7.30 p.m. THE LIQUOR BILL. The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 17 was amended so as to allow local authorities to supplement the loss of revenue from license fees by an increase of general rates, notwithstanding that the maximum amount of general rates may thereby be exceeded. Clause 3,8—-If licensed premises are closed by the electors, the licensee shall be relieved of his lease. Tbe clause was struck out with the object of substituting a new clause.

Clause 19, providing that all clubs shall be subject to all the provisions of the Licensing Acts, elicited a long discussion. Mr Fisher moved that this clause be struck out, but after discussion, withdrew it.

Mr Buckland moved an amendment that the Parliamentary Bellamy’s should be included in the provisions of this clause.

The amendment was carried by 30 to 29.

The Premier regretted that there were thirty members in the House who thought it necessary to call in the police at Bellamy’s.

The following is the division list: — Ayes Buick, Carncross, Fish, Fisher, HallJones, W. Hutchison, W. Kelly, Lake, Lawry, M. J. S. Mackenzie, T. Mackenzie, McLean, Meredith, Mitchelson, Moore, Newman, Reeves, Rhodes, Sandford, Saunders, W. C. Smith, Swan, Taipua, Taylor, R. Thompson, T. Thompson, Valentine, Wilson. Noes Cadman, Carroll, Duncan, Duthie, Fergus, Fraser, Hall, Hogg, Houston, Kapa, J. Kelly, McGowan, 0. H. Mills, Mills, Parata, Pinkerton, Richardson, Rolleston, Russell, Seddon, Shera, E. M. Smith, Canner, Ward, Willis, Wright. Pairs. A yes Harkness, Hamlyn, Stout, Earnshaw. Noes Dawson, J. McKenzie, Mackintosh, J. Mills. Mr McLean moved, in the sub-section providing that no new charter shall be issued to any club except upon the recommendation of the Licensing Committee of the district, that it must also be upon application of not less than 50 persons. The amendment was agreed to by 30 to 27.

The Premier moved an amendment that if the poll is carried against the granting of any licenses, the charter shall be withdrawn by the Colonial Secretary from any club in the district on the recommendation of the Licensing Committee.

Mr Fish protested against the amendment on the ground that it would take away all the power from the people. Captain Russell said that this would be the first step towards total prohibition. After further discussion, the Premier asked leave to withdraw his amendment, but leave w r as refused.

The amendment was lost by 37 to 18. Clause 19 as amended was added to the bill by 42 to 14.

Mr McLean moved a new clause that all contracts or agreements now in existence compelling a licensee to deal exclusively with any person or company for any liquor which the licensee shall require to purchase shall be void,—The amendment was lost on the voices.

Mr Mills moved a new clause, requiring three year's’ notice to be given before a license could be cancelled after the determination of the electors to that effect. —Lost by 40 to 9.

Mr Thomas McKenzie moved a new clause that no license to sell alcoholic liquors shall be granted to railway refreshment rooms except subject to the provisions of this Act. Lost by 29 to 21.

The Premier moved a new clause (in place of clause 18 which was struck out) providing that if the premises directed to be closed by the poll of electors are vacated at the end of two months from the date of the poll, and all rent and other liabilities are paid, the lease or tenancy shall be deemed to be determined as far as the leasee or tenant is concerned.—The clause was agreed- to on the voices.

A new clause placing a sub-leasee in a similar position to a leasee or tenant was added to the Bill.

Mr Willis moved a new clause preventing any prohibited person from purchasing liquor within the district in which the prohibition order is in force against him, under a penalty not exceeding £lO, and in default of payment three months’ imprisonment.—Agreed to on the voices.

Mr Buick moved a new clause inflicting a penalty of not less than £5 and not more than £2O on any person (not connected with the house) found on licensed premises fifteen minutes after the hour of closing. The clause was lost on the voices.

The Premier said that he desired to incorporate in the Bill Section 41 of the Electoral Bill, providing for the purging of the rolls. He thought that the Electoral Bill would pass, but, in case of an accident, it would be as well to ensure this clause being included in the present Bill.

After some debate the Premier’s clause with regard to purging the rolls was agreed to with some modifications. The Premier remarked that the Bill would have to be recommitted to strike out the inclusion of Bellamy’s in the club clause.

Tne Bill was reported, and consideration of the amendments was set down for Monday.

The House rose at 2.15 a.m,