GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2560, 26 September 1893, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL. The Privileges Committee brought up their report, which was to the effect that the control of officers of the Legislative Council should remain with the Speaker and not be vested in the Government of the day, The Government Bail ways Act Amendment Bill was read a first time, the second reading being fixed for Monday. The Native Land Validation of Titles Bill, was passed through Committee without material amendment, was read a third time, and passed. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill was further considered in Committee. On Mr Montgomery's motion all the clauses in the Bill, relating to arbitration, were struck out on the voices, consequent upon the excision of clause 47 the previous day. On reachiug clause 81, bringing the Government Railways under the provisions of the Bill, Mr Montgomery called for a division and the clause was lost by 19 to 11. The Bill was subsequently reported with amendments.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. COLONEL FOX’S REPORT. After 2 a.m. on Friday, Mr Ward said that Colonel Fox had made a serious mistake in his system of examination, and he thought that officers should not have been subjected to deliberate insult. Colonel Fox had made 'statements concerning his command of the Bluff Navals that were totally untrue. He had never neglected his duties and had endeavoured to make himself as efficient an officer as possible. What he complained of was that officers who had done their best to maintain their corps should be subjected to condemnation and ridicule. Judging the report by what had come under his own observation, he must say it was not a correct one in many respects. The result of the report in his district had been very disappointing and would have a retrogressive effect. Re thought the district examination of officers should be dispensed with altogether, and a central board of examiners set up. This would ensure the selection of competent officers He could not agree with Colonel Fox’s proposal to dispense with the country volunteers, but concurred with Captain Russell that the defences of the forts at the principal centres were useless. The report was an able and fearless one, but was wanting in tact. Despite its faults ho would do all that lay in his power to assist Colonel Fox to make the Volunteer service of the colony efficient. The debate was adjourned on Mr Valentine’s motion. The Premier said that at this late stage of the session it was extremely improbable another opportunity could be given for discus"' ttie re P orfc > an(£ VHentine remarked that i£ had been aware of this intention on trie part of the Government, he would not have tiiOVed the adjournment of the debate. The House met at 2.30 p.ni. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Rolleston, the Premier said that if members would only take off their coats and get on with business there was no reason why they should not close up the session about Wednesday next. Replying to Mr Fish, the Premier said that it was impossible to find work for 100 unemployed in Dunedin, as the Government had only a certain appropriation to go on with, and could not be expected to find work for all and sundry. Mr Fish moved the adjournment of the House, and about an hour was spent in a discussion on the unemployed question. In reply to further questions, it was stated that the Railway Commissioners had promised to investigate the charges of alleged favouritism that were made by apprentices in the railway workshops; that the Government intended to put £2OOO on the Supplementary Estimates for improved flax-dressing machinery, but they would like to have an expression of opinion from the House as to whether that sum was sufficient; that the Government had decided to issue new electoral rolls, the names for which would be received up to 7th October, but supplementary rolls would be issued. In reply to Mr Saudford, the Premier said that his opinion was that the law under which the Salvation Army officers were imprisoned at Milton should be altered ; he did not think that our fellowcitizens should be imprisoned for blowing musical instruments in the streets, but he thought that the Salvationists should respect by-laws as long as they existed. ELECTIVE GOVERNORS.

On a motion by Mr Taylor for leave to introduce the Elective Governors Bill, a short discussion ensued, several members objecting to a Bill of this kind being introduced by a private member and treated in such a loose manner. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m.

THE LIQUOR BILL. The Speaker announced the result of the free conference between the two branches of the legislature over the Alcoholic Liquors Bill. His statement was to the following effect—that the disputed elapse struck out by the Legislative Omuieit has replaced by anew clause providing that every club shall be inspected by some person appointed by the Colonial Secretary; clubs moreover are to bo subject to those provisions of the Licensing Act prohibiting gambling or any other unlawful game, requiring houses to be conducted m a proper manner, and rendering punishable the harbouring of a constable during the time he should be on duty. Proceedings against a club for breaches of the Act can pnly be taker by directioil of the Colonial Secretary, and no new charter shall be issued to any club unless it is applied for by fifty people of the district. In the event of a prohibition vote the question of the issue of a new charter for any club in the district is to be decided by the Colonial Secretary. An amendment of chure 12 has been made so that the present law prohibiting the supply of liquor in hotels to any person under 10 years cf age is retained, but it is further provided that no liquor shall be sold to any child under 13 years. Sir John Hall said that when members iiad had time to consider the amendments they would agree that a very reasonable arrangement had been arrived at. On the motion of the Premier consideration of the report of the conference was made the first order of the day for Monday. TUB SHOP ASSISTANTS BILL. After a couple of hours’ debate the third reading of the Shop and Shop Assistants Bill was carried by 30 to 18, and the Bill passed. LAND BILLS. Several hours were spent in the discussion of the motion for the committal of the Land Act Amendment Bill, the fiairna Laud Bill, and the Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill. Mr McKenzie replied on the motim :or the committal of the three Bills. He

said Mr Richardson's statements consisted largely of gross inaccuracies, and that settlement under the present Government had prospered.

At 2.31> the motion for commmittal was carried bw 25 to 6. In Committee on the Land Act Amendment Bill, Mr Rolleston said the proceedings throughout the evening had been so utterly disorderly and opposed to the standing Orders and Rules that governed the House, that he hoped members who supported him would show their disapproval by refusing to stay in the chamber. He himself would remain to watch the conduct of business, but as the minority would not have the slightest heed paid to their representations, there was no necessity for them to stay, and by withdrawing they would emphatically enter their protest. The Premier said these Bils had now been under discussion for five hours, and it was not fair for the leader of the Opposition to predjudice their position by making the statement he had just done. It was not fair to say that amendments could not be made.

A motion by Mr Rolleston to report progress was lost by 22 to 4, and the Bill went through without amendments. The Tairua Land Bill was passed through Committee with slight amendments.

In Committee on the Laud for Settlement Act Amendment Bill

Mr Rolleston protested against going on with a measure of such importance at 3 o'clock in the morning, but a motion to report progress was lost by 22 to 2.

In clause 2 Mr Rhodes moved an addition makiug the compulsory taking cf land conditional on Parliament giving its assent.—Lost by twenty to 5. Clause 3—The Governor may prohibit the sale of pastoral land in Nelson and Marlborough.—Carried by 22 to 3. The Bill was then reported, the third reading being postponed.

The Land Act Amendment Bill and the Tairua Land Bill were put through their final stages. Before adjourning Mr Rolleston again protesced against the manner in which the Government had conducted the business throughout the sittings. The Premier in reply blamed the leader of the Opposition for pursuing questionable tactics in endeavouring to secure a count-out, and thus retard the progress of public business. The House rose at 430 a.m.