GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2706, 1 September 1894, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. IN COMMITTEE. The Legitimation Bill was considered in Committee. A new clause was inserted providing that the claims of legitimate children in regard to property shall take precedence of the claims of legitimatised children, and that no children can be legitirnatised if any impediment existed at its birth to the inter-marriage of its patents. SECOND READINGS. The Invercargill Racecourse Empowering Bill, Animsds Protection Act Amendment Bill (to prevent the introduction into the colony of objectionable birds or animals), and Oiths Act Amendment Bill were all read a second time. Bins PASSED. The Wellington City Drainage Empowering Bill and the Timaru Harbor Reclamation Bill parsed; through Committee without amendment and were put through their final stages. divorce Bin In Committee on the Divorce Bill an amendment was inserted to the effect that divorce cannot be granted for desertion that has taken place prior to the passing of the Bill.

At 6.30 the Council adjourned till 7.30 p.m. The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. in Committee on the Divorce Bill. In clause 4 the term of desertion necessary to form a ground for divorce was increased from three to four years. ■ Sub-section 3 of the same clause providing that divorce may be granted 1 bn the grounds of habitual drunkenness for three years was struck out by IB to 11. A motion to strike out sub-sectibh 4, which provides that divorce may be granted on 'the'grounds that a husband 1 or wife' has beeh committed to prison for a period of not less than three years, was negatived by 15 to 13, and the, clause retained; A motion to strike but the provision that divorce may be granted for repeated assaults, was lost on the casting vote of the chairman. Progress was reported, and the Council rose at 9.15 p.m. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. Blits PASSED. The Animals Protection Act Amendment Bill and Legitimation Bill were put through their final stages. SECOND READINGS. The Shipping and Seamen’s Act Amendment Bill, after a short debate, was read a second time, and referred to the Labor Bills Committee. DIVORCE Bill. The Divorce Bill was further considered in Committee. cussion when the Council took the dinner adjournment. On resuming', Mr Steward moved that progress be reported. He said that as there was little chance of thb Bill passing the other chamber it would be idle to proceed further with it ip the Council during the present session. The motion was carried by 10 to 8, with leave to sit again.

IMPREST SUPPLY. , The Imprest Supply Bill was put through all its stages. At 8 p.m. the Council adjourned till next day. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House rose at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence for one week was granted to Mr Diithie on account of' illhealth. BEFLIES TO QUESTIONS. In reply to questions it was stated that the Government had not yet decided on increasing the import duties on wheat and flour, but , when they had decided they would not publish it on the honse tops; that an offer had been made to engage Colonel Fox as military adviser to the but not at £7OO a year; Colonel Fox had not yet replied accepting the proposition of the Government.

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. Captain Russell (Hawke’s Bay) brought up the report on the Midland Railway. THE VAILB SYSTEM. Mr Pirani moved that it is desirable that effect should be given to the report presented to - tbe House in 1886 that a (rial of the Vaile system should be made on some section of the railway under the direct supervision of Mr Samuel Yaile. The motion provoked a long debate in 1 which a large number of members took part. The Premier said that there was 1 no doubt that Mr Yaile had given greatattention to this subject, but it would be very difficult to select a particular portion; of the railway line to be operated upon/ He understood that Mr Yaile himself' wished to superintend the trial of his system, but as* the law stood (hat was not possible, as the Railway Commissioners! were in charge of the railways. He should! oppose the resolution and ask the House to negative it. Several other members having spoken i the motion was put and lost by 27 to 20. i The House rose at 6.30 p.m. and resumed at 7.30, THE GAMING BILL. Mr Bell moved that the amendments' made by the Legislative Council in the' Gaming Bill be agreed to. Mr Lawry : moved an amendment that they be agreed to with the exception of a new clause 1 inserted by the Council to the effect that the president of the representative racing l club may issue totalisator licenses. After 1 some discussion Mr La wry’s amendment; was carried, and a committee, consisting l of Mr George Hutchison, Mr Bell, and l Mr Lawry, were appointed to draw up! reasons for disagreeing with tbe amendment made by tbe Council. BEFBBEIfDUaI BILL. Mr O’Regau moved tbe second reading of the Referendum Bill to refer to the' elector* of the colony certain questions or Bills for their decision. He explained that the Bill was in most respects the same as that introduced by Mr O’Couor, the late member for Biller, and embodied the great principle of government of the people by the people. Amongst d*her things the Bill provided that whenever the House shall have passed a resolution in favour of referring any measure which has been twice passed by the House and twice rejected by the Council to the vote of the electors, then such reference to the electors shall be made. He said that at present the colony had not representative government at all, and they never would have it until they had proportional representation on the Haro system. Mr \V. R. Reeves said that under some circumstances he might bo found voting for this Bill, but those circumstances had not yet arisen. He believed himself to be a Democrat, but ho did not think that he would forfeit his right to this title by opposing this Bill. They held that they had sufficient checks already, and it was not advisable to burden themselves with another chock in the shape of referendum. If tbe people of New Zealand had not complete control over their representatives ho would support a proposal of this kind, but as they had such control the Bill was not required. In theory it was a backward step, because it took from Parliament the

right- 'of : people, who had not studied the measures in the way Parliament had done. If the Upper House persisted in thwarting the will of the people, and it was found necessary to abolish that branch of the legislature, some such 1 check as a referendum would be necessary, and be would support it, but as long as they had a revising chamber he did not think that the Bill wasatall necbssary; Mr Russell (Riccartdn) supported the Bill.

The Premier opposed the Bill, and held that it would be very unwise to make any such change' as that 1 proposed. He agreed with Mr Reeves that this was a Conservative measure, and he would ndt be surprised to see the majority of the Conservative press pf the colony supporting it. This chamber really reflected the opinion of the people, containing, as it did, the people’s representatives. If the measures passed this session - wereref erred to the people the vote of the House would be endorsed by largely increased majorities. New Zealand had a peaceful and happy people, and in spite of adverse” circumstances was in h fairly proSpeWds condition, arid 11 the I people had every safeguard in their free constitution. He asked the House not to take a leap in the dark by voting for the Bill., , Mr McKenzie (Boiler) supported the Bill.

Mr Collins, Mr Hogg, MrWi Pere,and Mr Stevens opposed the Bill, and Mr Hone Heke would support it if purely native legislation was referred to. the natives alone.

The motion for the second reading was lost by 24 to 19. The House rose at 12.40 a.m. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. IMPREST SUPPLY Bill’. An Imprest Supply Bill for £380,000 was read a second time and committed. In reply to Mr George Hutchison, Mr Ward said that if possible he would furnish to the Bouse the amount of Customs revenue for July at the evening sitting. Mr Hutchison expressed his dissatisfaction at the nature of this reply, ! and a discussion lasting over two hours took place. Several Opposition members complained of their inability to get’from 1 the Colonial Treasurer information respecting public accounts.

Mr Ward asserted 1 that there had never been a Government which put fuller information before the country than the pres'eut one, and he had received letters and, telegrams from all parts of the' colony which bore but this statement. The Premier referred to the extraordinary course adopted by the Opposition in itercepting imprest supply. Mr George Hutchison 1 held that' the circuirstaucea were extraordinary. Mr Ward pointed out ’ that there was certain information., which it was not proper to give the House. Eventually the Bill was passed through all its stages. DAIRY INDUSTRY BILL. Ou the motion 6f MrJohu McKenzie; the Dairy Industry Bill was read a second time pro fonnd , so that the Bill could be sent to the Agricultural Committee forthwith. The debate on that Bill will take place when it returns from that Committee. RAILWAY BILL. The Premier asked the House to read the Railways Bill a second time pro forma., as he desired to send it to the Railways Committee, but if members did not concur in this course he would postpone the second reading. l Mr Mitchelson said that the Opposition thought that a Bill of such importance should be debated on' the second reading | and they could hot agree fo let that stage go pro forma. The Premier said that in face of this he would ask to postpone the Bill, which was agreed to. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. On the motion that the House go into Committee of Supply, Mr Ward said that he should now reply to Mr George Hutchison’s questions respecting the Customs revenue. The amount collected for the month of July was £130,343 15s 9d, an increase of £14,600 as compared with the June returns.

Mr McKenzie (Bailer) moved an amendment to going into supply—-“ That the time has arrived When an import duty should be imposed bn coal;” Mr Morrison seconded the motion. Mr E. M. Smith spoke against it. The debate was interrupted by the 5,30 adjournment. ' The House resumed at 7.30 p.m.

The Premier said that he sympathised with Mr McKenzie’s amendment, but he suggested that the matter should be deferred for the present, as retaliatory measures would 1 be inadvisable at the present juncture, when a new Ministry had just taken office in New South Wales. If he were free to vote ou the question he should support the amendment, . but, speaking on behalf of the Government, be hoped that the debate would be brought to a close, so that the House could go on with-the'estimates.

Mr McKenzie(Clutha) and Mr O’Regan opposed the amendment, and Mr Thompson supported the amendment. Mr Ward thought that -discussion on this amendment would do good. His opinion was that if a duty was put on Newcastle coal the price of coal in this colony would not increase, but he thought they should wait till they saw what the policy of the new Ministry in New South Wales was to be bafgrp they took any steps in the matter. Hitfa*rtp he had been opposed to an import duty ou cpal, but he now thought that the time had arrived when if the hostile tariffs of the other colonies were kept up it was their bounden duty to put heavy import duties on tbe products from these colonies. With regard to wheat, he must say that if be had his way, and found that continual Importations of Australian cereals into New Zealand effected the local produce, he would favour an increase of the import duty. Ho contended that it tfcjs were done it would not cause au increase in the price of bread, and he gave reasons lor this sonteution.

Mr HliteWwo Baxd that he had heard with mm* regret the speeches of the Premier and Colonic- Treasurer, which he held must cause great alarm. It n}lsht be a serious thing for the colony, especially as there was au implied threat from the Treasurer tha*. au import duty would be pul on cereals. A duty of that kind would make bread dearer, and he challenged the Government to go to the country ou a proposal of that kind. Mr McLachlan, Mr Crowther, Mr Bell, Mr McGowan, Mr Macintosh, Mr Tanner, Mr Hogg, and Mr Earnshaw also spoke. Mr Reeves said that the question of putting a duty on New South Wales coa was not a new one in the House, and i had been kept in abeyance in the belief that that colony w ould keep its porta open for our produce, but it had not done so, and tho question now arose whether retaliation should not be considered if they were to hold their own. They should show New South Wales that they were armed and ready to carry war into her territory. They had already bad a wheat duty in the

bbidhy'hhd tbetfaßSrS price of bread by a The only difference' was that 1 bread ■ was made ! of New Zealand” ffbhtr instead ' of-'Adelaide-flpur. :, lf the price 'of wheat Were raised d penny or twopah'ce per' bushel the'price of bread would hot be raised, and 'the result 6f stopping Adelaide aud Melbohrhe 1 flour from coming in would be to raise the 1 price to the middle man; He had 1 telegrams in his hands showing thatover 600,900 bushels of wheat' in Dunedin and over 200,000 bushels in Christchurch Were’ being held for the groWdr and hot for the middleman; ‘and if there was ahy rise in price the grower would get it. The result df'freetrade iu the colony to-day was the' existence of rings and syndicates, and prices were being artificially kept up all over the colony.: 1 Therefore I ‘he did not' think any evil consequences! could result from a duty on coal. It was their duty to draw the line - between reasonable - and l unreasonable protection. -1 ■ ; MrMasliu,Mr MssSby, 'Mr Meredith' and Mr 6. W. Russell also spoke; - Captain 1 RnsSeil said that the outcome 1 iff ;thb deliberations of the Government during' 1 the last two yean On the' tariff _'queatioh was a decision to impose-furtber' taxation upon the necessaries of life. This wasevideut from the speeches of Ministers that : evening.~ Hecoutendedfhatoue of the immediate effects of taxing coal would 1 be to diminish-the trade of Auckland; where vessels returned with a cargo' of coal after' taking a load of timber to Australia, Thereason why such a large 1 quantity of Adelaide wheat was imported into the last year' was because SrS' had a wet harvest; - and bakers required a extra quantity of dry flour in making 1 bread. ■ It foUowed'that 1 if'thetax on flour were increased ‘people would get an inferior quailit^ l of bread'. Mr Duncan and Mi* Harris also spoke. ■ At 1.20 a.m/ Mr McKenzie’s amendment was put > and lost on the voices, and •the 1 Henke went 1 into' Committee ' of Supply. Objection wastakento going on with the educational ektimkites at' tbat'hohr of the morning, and' a motion by Mr McGuire to report progress was carried by 31 to 27. The House rose at 1.30 a.m.