GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2720, 4 October 1894, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Monday. CONSOLS BILL. The Consols Bill was read a first time. LAND TOE SETTLEMENTS BILL. The Land for Settlements Bill was recommitted on a division by 23 to 8. Iu clause B—" Compulsory taking of land " the foil wing clause was inserted : —"Provided that Buch section may be composed of first class, second class, and pistoral land, and that the area selected ■hall be ao determined that the acreage of each, class shall not exceed proportionately the prescribed maximum," Mr Boweu: moved a new clause, its effect being that no land shall be taken compulsorily until the county council or road board interested has reported as to |ts suitability. A division resulted in a tie, the voting being—ayes 15, noes 15. The Chairman gave his casting vote with the noes, and declared the clause lost. A new clause was added to the Bill, to the effect that nothing in the Act shall authorise the compulsory purchase of lands which have been set apart as endowments or reserves.

The Bill was reported, and the Council adjourned. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS BILL. The Land for Settlements Bill passed it< final stages. BATING BILL. The Biting Bill was further considered in Committee, and was reported with unimportant amendments. CONSOLS BILL. .Sir Patrick Buckley moved the second reading of the Consols Bill. Mr Bowen opposed the Bill, which he considered would not encourage thrift in colonists. He thought it better that people should invest their own money in the land of the colony rather than leaving it for the Government to invest for them. Regarding the measure as novel and' dangerous legislation, he moved as .an amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. Mr Bigg supported the Bill. It would be as well for people to invest in consols placing their earnings in the Savings Back. Mr Pharazyn viewed the Bill as merely a borrowing measure under another name, and therefore should support the amendment. Sir George Whitmore, although not satisfied with the Bill, would give it a trial. Mr Stewart opposed the measure, as being an attempt on the part of the Government to borrow money in an objectionable manner. He knew that the Dunediu working people were opposed to the Bill, and so he believed were the majority of the people of the colany. ,Mr Stevens opposed the Bill, partly because it was absurd to suppose that the working classes somewhere or other had wast hoards of wealth laid up which they were anxious to lend to the Government a$ 3J per cent. This Bill and the Cheap Money Bill were utterly inexcusable. Mr Macgregor opposed the Bill, principally on the ground that it was •imply a borrowing measure in disguise. It was not a Bill for the encouragement of thrift, as the loans were open not to colonists, but to the entire world. He alto objected to the Bill because the Government had neglected to say to what parpose the loan would be devoted. The debate was adjourned till next day, and the Council rose at 5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 7.30 p.m. on Monday.

FACTORIES BILL. \

The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Factories Bill came up for consideration. Mr Reeves said that he could not ask the House to agree with all the amendments, but it was hia pleasant duty to express his appreciation of the fair, reasonable aud business-like manner in which this Bill appeared to have been treated in the Legislative Council. He agreed with; many of the amendments made, but others were distinct blots on the Bill, and he would therefore ask the House to appoint mauagers to draw up reasons for disagreeing with them. The Council had struck out the clause which allowed all factory hands, male and female, a half-holiday in each week, and he had not very much hope of saving this clause. If it were finally lost it would be inserted in the Eight Hours Bill, which he hoped would be passed into law this session. If the Council met the House iu these amendments in the same conciliatory spirit as they had treated the Bill, there would be passed into law the best Factory Act in the empire, if not the best Factory Act appeariug on.any Btatute book in the world. Mr Reeveß's motion disagreeing with certain amendments was carried on the voices, and Sir K Stout, Mr J. W. Kelly, and the mover were appointed managers to draw up reasons for disagreeing. ADVANCES TO BBTTLEES BILL. The Government Advances to Settlers Bill was recommitted on the motion of Mr "Ward for the consideration of certain clauses. Iu clause 42 Mr Steward moved to reduce the minimum of advances from £6O to'-£25... Mr Ward accepted the amendment, as it would enable a large number of small people to obtain advances. The amendment was agreed to on tho voices. Clause 74, providing that the Bankruptcy Act ahould not apply to this Act, was amended by the addition of the following, words —" except in cases where the Colonial Treasurer shall certify his consent to the discharge of the bankrupt from the debts payable under this Act." The Bill was then reported. Ou the motion for the tfoird reading, Sir R. Stout eutered his fiaal protest against the passage of the Bill, ou the ground that it contained borrowing proposals and wonld therefore iujuro tho colony. As to the mortgage tax ho said that every mortgagor who borrowed from the Crown would be let oHkilf per cent,, and if the same concession we-«> #/?>rded to private loan compauiej they would be able to charge lower rates of interest. In his opinion the Government should have utilised the Public Trust (mice and Government Life Insurance Department fuuds, and by this means would have realised £500,000 a year for the assistance of small settlers. This was fur pr ferable to going ou the London market for moueyDr Newman thought that the rate of inliirast in the Bill hud been fixed too low io pay expenses. .Mr Steward agreed with th« general policy of the Bill, and he should bo glad if |t was pulsed into law. Mr T. .Mackenzie held that but for tho interference #t the Government tho rates of interest w*ni/l have beou reduced in tie ordinary way by tho operation of trade.

Messrs Lang, Massey, Earnshaw, and O'Regan spoke against the Bill. In the course of his reply Mr Ward said that the mortgage tax would be paid by the mortgagee per se, bat in case he was not liable the superintendent would have to provide the mortgage tax. The money required under this scheme could not be obtained from the Public Trust and Government Life Offices because these departments could not even now meet the requirements of settlers for loan money. The Bill would do more to add to the prosperity of the country than any measure ever introduced in the colony. The third reading was carried by 36 to 11,'and the Bill passed. The House rose at 1.20 a.m. The Houbo met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. NEW BILLS. Mr Ward gave notice to introduce a few new Bills, including the Government Life Insurance Act Amendment Bill and the Sea Fisheries Bill. MINES STATEMENT. The Premier laid the Mines Statement on the table. ANSWERS XO QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr Larnach, as to whether it was the intention of the Bank of New Zealand to continue the risk of carrying on business in Australia and other places outside of the colony, Mr Ward said that he hoped, within the next few days to announce the appointment of the president of the bank, and the Government could scarcely deal with such an important matter as that contained in Mr Larnach's question until they had the information that that officer would be in a position to obtain. In reply to Mr Larnach, as to whether in the interests of the colony early action would be taken to insist upon the separation of the Estates Company from the Bank of New Zealand, Mr Ward said that the Government were of opinion that the separation should be effected, but the question was one upon which they must await the guidance of the new president. In reply to Mr Larnach, as to whether steps would be taken to ascertain to what extent', if any, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company is conI cerned in its financial relations with the Bank of New Zealand, Mr Ward said that this was a matter which in the ordinary course of business could not fairly be published, but the prosident would be iu a position to enquire into the matter. The Government had no information aB to whether either company or bank was indebted to the other. The president would be required to devote his exclusive attention to the bank. His duties would be of a controlling character and safeguarding the interests of the colony. In reply to a question by Mr O'Began, with regard to the duties of the president of the bank, Mr Ward said that that officer would be expected to conserve the interests both of the colony and the bank, and to see that no improper business was undertaken. It would not be his duty to report to the Government on transaction's between the bank and private individuals, but to exercise a general supervision over the affairs of the bank, so that if any improper business was being done it would be reported to the Colonial Treasurer.

In reply to Mr Bell, Mr Ward said that the Government could not see their way to take charge of the Guaranteed Bank Amalgamation Prohibition Bill introduced by the member for Wellington City. The Government were of opinion that under proper safeguards amalgamation would have been satisfactory, and would still be so. In reply to Mr George Hutchison, Mr Ward said that a short time ago the Colonial Bank had applied for a share of the Government account. The matter was not then decided, and was still under consideration.

Iu reply to Dr Newman, Mr Ward said that the £2,000,000 guaranteed to the Bank of New Zealand would not be raised till the 26th of this month. It was not yet decided what was to be done with the £1,000,000 under the control of the Treasurer. _ In reply to Mr Collins, the Premier said that he did not think that a Royal Commisuou would bo able to solve the " old age pension " question. The matter would require to be dealt with by the House itself. In reply to Mr W. Hutchison, the Premier said that he had joined with the Premier of Victoria in inviting the Duke and Duchess of York to visit Australasia.

After questions had been answered, the adjournment of the House was raowd, and a discussion took place chiefly on the New Plymouth Harbor Board and the North Island Main Trunk Railway, the debate lastiug until the dinner adjournment.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. INSUKANCB COMPANIES DEPOSITS BIJiL

The Foreign Insurance Oompauies Deposits BIU was further considered in committee.

In the interpretative clause Sir R. Stout moved that " approved securities " should mean the Government securities oi my of the Australian colonies, as well as New Zealand. Agreed to. Mr G. J. Smith moved an amendment to the interpretation oiauee jto exempt fire and mariue insurance companies from the operations of the Bill. Mr Ward said that most discreditable things had bee» 4/?ne by some of the fire aud marine iusuraoea companies, and he wished by this Bill to stop thajc, but he was quite prepared to exempt those companies from the payment of deposits on condition that they gave satisfactory proof that they were what they represented themselves to be. Mr Smith thea withdrew his amendment, and the clauae wftfl eventually postponed so as to prepare other amendments. . Mr Ward Baid that he proposed to amend, the Bill so as to provide that where the policies of a company did not exceed £IOO,OOO, the deposit should be £SOOO, and au additional mm. of £SOOO for every additional £IOO,OOO uujttf jt&e total amount deposited reached £50,000. Clause 3 was amended in this direction. Claw** 4 providing that no foreign company wit& & limited liability shall carry ou life insurance, was struck out. Progress was reported ou tits Bill to enable clause 2 to be redrafted.

LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS BILL. The k&nd for Settlements Bill was racked /rem the Legislative Council withaw9od««t»t« w-Jiicu were ordered to be considered iiczidzy,

Sir Robert Stout bis« 4 ths whether tho Council could ,i.hi3 Bill, which was au appropriation BilJ se<4u£ apart £250,000 a year for five years for £he purchase of land. He thought that it -the Council could alter this Bill they sould ajso amend the Consols Bill, Advances to Sotfjepa J#U, and other money Bills brought down by the Government. The Spoaker said that while tho Council had no power to alter the money clauses in a Bill, they aouid amend the rruchinery clauses. He was not aware of tho nature of the amendments made by the Council iu this Bi!!, but before they were cou-

sidered next day [he. would look into them, and give Mb ruling on the matter. NATIVE LANDS COURT BILL. Mr Mitchslson resumed the debate on the committal of the Native Lands Court Bill. He complimented the Premier on | the grasp he appeared to have of the native question since he took the Portfolio of Native Minister. The Premier had told them that if this Bill were passed it would settle for ever, the question of native legislation, but he (Mr Mitchelson) was not so sanguine of such a result. He quite agreed with the first part of the Bill, and he thought that ,it was a great improvement on the preßeut state of things. Part 2 of the Bill, however, relating to the right of pre-emption, would not in his opinion be acceptable to the natives. The Premier should postpone this part of the Bill for another year. Mr Bell feared that the provisions relating to the rehearing of cases would lead to hopeless and endless litigation. Mr Teao and Mr Button urged that the Bill should shonld be allowed to stand over till next session. Messrs Houston, Stevens, E. M. Smith, W. Kelly, Mill*, Lang, Parata, Massey, and Buchanan supported the first part. of the Bill, but there was a general cousenaus of opinion that the second part, dealing with the pre-emptive right, should be deferred till next session.

The motion for committal was agreed to on the voices.

IN COMMITTEE. The Foreign Insurance Companies Deposits Bill was farther considered in committee.

Clause 5 was struck out and a new clause substituted, requiring every fire and marine insurance company to obtain from the Public Trustee a certificate authorising the company to carry on such business.

Another new clause was added providing that before such a company can obtain a certificate its financial stability must be proved. The Bill was then reported with amendments.

The Native Landß Court Bill was under consideration in Committee when the Telegraph Office closed at 2 a.m.