GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2724, 13 October 1894, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. BEFORTS OF CONFEBENCES. The reports of the conferences on the Shops and Shop Assistants Bill and the Factories Bill were agreed to. PUBLIC WORKS BILL. The Public Works Bill passed through Committee with unimportant amendments. GOVERNMENT ADVANCES TO SETTLERS BILL. The Government Advances to Settlers Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause' 25—Classes of land on which money may be advanced. Mr McLean moved that the term « freehold land" be altered to the effect that such land should not be urban land, The amendment was carried by 18 to 10.

Mr McLean moved that the term " freehold land" should also exclude suburban land. The amendment was agreed to by 15 to 14. The Bill was reported, and is to be recommitted for the purpose of reconsidering the exclusion of suburban land from the class of which advances can be made. The Council then rose. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. BILL PASSED. The Harbors Act Amendment Bill patted its final stages. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS BILL. On the motion for the third reading of the Government Advances to Settlers Bill Mr Morris moved that the Bill be recommitted in order to include suburban land in the classes of land on which advances might be made. Sir Patrick Buckley said that thj Bill had been practically killed, and the sooner it went to a conferenee the better. Mr Morris thereupon withdrew his amendment, and the Bill passed its final stages.

NATIVE LAND COTJBT BILL. Sir Patrick Buckley moved the second reading of the Native Lands Court Bill. The motion was agreed to on the voices after a brief debate. The Council rose at 5 p m. HOUSE OF BEPRESENTATIVES. The foilowiug is the conclusion of the report of Tuesday's sitting : MCBNSIHG BILL. The motion to leave the chair was lost on the voices. After further discussion Mr JJ. Mackenzie was proceeding to speak to the Premier's amendment, when Mr Hall Jones rose to a point of order and asked whether those members who had been obstructing the Bill throughout the evening should not now be suspended. The chairman, Mr Guinness, said he did not think there had been auy obatrjttctioh within the meaning of the Standing Order 170. Sir R. Stout pointed out that Mr R. McKenzie deliberately stated his intention of obstructing the Bill in every possible The Premier said he refused to be a party to the application of the closure in the House. He would always oppose the adoption of the closure in the Standing Orders. . Mr Guinness said he still adhered to his ruling that there had not been persistent aud wilful obstruction of the business of the House by the member for Baiter, After further discussion the Premier's amendment that the licensing election •hall not be held on the same day as the general election was carried by 36 to 8. Mr McNab's amendment, making the committees elective, was agreed to on the Toices, and clause 12 as amended was added to the Bill. Progress was then reported, and the Bill ordered to be again committed agaiu next day. The House rose at 2.50 a.m. on Wednesday and met at 2.30 p.m. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. .Replying to questions it was stated that the matter of appointing the council of the Middle District of New Zealand University would be brought before the Cabinet as soon as possible; that it was intended in a few days to introduce a Bill to give effect to the Government's proposal in the Financial Statement to grant a bonus on exported coal; that as all the money available would be required for ordinary educational purpose* no monetary assistance could be given to kindergarten schools; that if it was found that there was a loss to local bodies in Administering the Alcoholic Liquors Act of last session, as compared with the cost «| previous elections,- toe matter of recompense would be considered by the Government; that the state of public business would not allow of the report of the Tariff Committee being dealt with this session; that the old age pension question was surrounded with difficalties, and and would have to be very carefully considered by the Government durieg the recess; that the Government had not yet decided who was to succeed Sir Westby Perceval as Agent-General; that in order to prevent the wholesale naturalisation of Chinese now going on ia the colony, it was proposed in future to call for a report as to character, length of residence, etc., of the applicant, and the Government considered that this would prevent the naturalisation of undesirable Chinese; that the Government did not see anything in Sir li. Stout's speeeh concerning the "black-luting" of certain railway employees that would justify theta in referring the matter either to a Select Committee or to the Railway Commissioners, who had already stated that there was not the slightest foundation for the statements, and the Govefssjept did not consider that Sir Robert Stoat's charges were sufficient to place the Bailway CoinmU«oners on their trial; that it would be ot sdr/mtage to all the Australian colonies to hfcve a system of intercolonial freetrade, and Sl*#' /Zealand was quite prepared to treat with th* ether colonies on the subject, nnd that this colony had no desire to see a commercial war between the colouies; that the Government hoped b«f jr* long to give the Bous<* proof that th*y were desirous ot encouraging the mining industry of the camy 5 that the Govern ■meat would shortly <;&*' » bimn for the best means of extermination J.ho rabbits in New Zealand. Replying to Mr G. J. Smith, Mr Ward said that the Government would not interfere with the management of the Bank of New Zealand after the executive officers were appointed. The Government also considered that it rfas inexpedient that the details of the working of the Bank of New Zealand should be continually threshed out on the floor of of the House. As to what would be done by thd Government in the event of the directota of the Bank of New Zealand proposiug" amalgamating with auother institution, the Government would place their intentions fully before the House before the session closed. They would place a Bill upon the atatnte book that no doubt would be felt as to ffhat action would be taken by the Governwsut if any such proposals were made,

The House rose at 5.30 p.m. and resumed at 7.30. p.m. SHOPS AND SHOP ASSISTANTS BILL. A message was received from the Legislative GouncU with respect to the conference on the Shops and Shop Assistants Bill. Mr Reeves said that he shonld ask the House to agree to the report of the conference. The principal point of disagreement between the Souse and the Council on the Bill was the amendment by which all shops were exempted from the Bill in which no assistants were engaged for hire. That amendment had now been altered so as to apply to all shops which were owned by bona fide English or European owners, and which was kept by either' a man or his wife, with children under eighteen years of age. This would effectually shut out Chinese shops. He had reluctantly agreed to this amendment, but he thought it was as good a Bill as they were likely to get at the present time. The exemption of hairdressers had been abandoned by the Council. It had also been decided that offices should be allowed to remain open for four weeks every half year, and clerks might return on six days for three hours. On all other days offices were to close at 5 o'clock. • The report was agreed to. FACTORIES BILL. The report of the conference on the amendments in the Factories Bill was agreed to. THE AtTDITOB-GENEBAL. After further discussion Mr Ward's resolution, as moved on the previous day —" That the House regrets that the Controller and Auditor-General should under the circumstances which he has related have regarded himself as justified in suspending the performance of any of the duties imposed upon him by statute " —was withdrawn, and the following agreed to— f That the House having considered the question in dispute between the Auditor-General and Public Trustee is of opinion that the.audit of the accounts of the Public Trust Office need not have been interrupted, and should now be proceeded with." It was also decided that the matter should be referred to a Select Committee. LICENSING BiLL. In reply to Sir Robert Stout the Premier said that he hoped some compromise would be effected between parties on the Licensing Bill, and that the Bill would proceed. DAIRY INDUSTRY BILL. On the motion for the committal of the Dairy Industry Bill a short debate took place, the tone of which was generally in favour of the measure, but opinion was divided as to th > wisdom of introducing the grading system. Mr J. McKenzie said that ho intended asking the House this session to vote a substantial sum to assist this important industry. Some members had complained of the oppressive character of the Bill, but he pointed out that the provisions of the Canadian and Victorian Acts were far more drastic than this Bill. He thought that it would be a great mistake to establish grading at tho other end as well as in the colony. He had no hesitation iu sayiug that before ten years were over the dairy industry would bo as valuable to New Zealand as the frozen meat trade. The Bill was then committed.

The Bill passed through Committee with the amendments made by the Stock Committee. Strong objection was,taken to clause 21, which provided that in all proceedings under the Bill the onus of proof Bhould be on the defendant, and the clause was stmok out on the casting vote of the chairman. Mr McNab proposed to replace the clause struck out with a clause placing onus of proof on the plaintiff, aud this was agreed to by 25 to 14. The Bill was reported and put through its final stages. ABATTOIRS. The Abattoirs and Slaughterhouses Bill was committed, and after the first two clauses were passed progress was reported, and the House rose at 2 35 a.m. The HtfUfie met at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. THE A»A*T6ia» PIM"

The Abattoirs and Slaughterhouses Bill was further considered in committee, On clause 3 Mr W&rd explained that thft Stock Committee had amended the clause so as to permit an abattoir to be erected half a mil* from a borough boundary. The limit was originally fixed in the Bill at one mile. Mr Buchanan moved that this clausa bo struck out. After a very lengthy debate the amendment was lost, and the alteration made by the Stock Committee agreed to. The other clauses in the* Bill were discussed at some length, but were all agreed to with the amendments made by the Stock Committee. Tjie House rose at 5.30 p.m. and resumed si 7/30 p.m.

PUBLitt *'fIRKS STATEMENT. The Hon. R. J. Sed4an ? Minister for Public Works, delivered his PttblJs Workß Statement, an abridgement of which will be fotfncl jn another column.

ADVAYgE TO SETTLERS BILL. A Message wa» from the Legislative Council forwar.djng the amendments made in the Advances fco Settlers Bill. . The Speaker said that ho wished to call tbe Mention of the House to those amendments, *e i&ey appeared to him to be an infringement .of &je privileges of the House. He was not any new principle in the course he wap taking, but was following the example set by .the previous Speaker. He merely wished to fo/iow the usual precedent, aud to maintain prow* an,d gordiai relatious between the two House*.

Mr Ward moved that the Mows* disagree with the amendments made by the Oojfnpjl, and that Managers be appointed to draw #» reasons for disagreeing. In his opinion ih&M ypas a distinct interference with the s4?s&fsß o£ the House ia the amendments uft4& pfro Council. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. The jfriesjisr meved that the House at rising adjourn sill J. 1,30 a.m. next day. Ho also proposed to asfe tho House to meet wfc that hour for the remainder of the suswiiMi, aud nU'-> to s-it on Saturdays. After B.'ine discussion tb« Piemier's motion was cairied by '6l to '2O. lirHi PASSED. The Abattoirs and fcSlauyiiterhonscß /3jlJ was reported from com mil-toe with the fln/endmeuts undo by iho Stock Commitfciii H'4 4 passed it 3 linul stages. MINISSBBiAi, g.R«I!)KX»JES. The Premier moved the reading of the Ministerial Residences Sale iiij.l £o authorise the sale or other disposition of Aeptain lands and premises hold as residences for Ministers of the Crown. Captain ftusself, Sir R. Stout, aud Mr Duthie thought it a mistake jLo part with these properties and urged that & w*« not consistent with the dignity of their position for Ministers to Jjv.e in hotels aud boarding-house*. The Premier said there was uo ijee.essity for official residences at present. The second reading was carried by 44 toll.

SECOND BEADINGS. The Trustees Act Amendment Bill, Stamp Acts Amendment Bill, Water Supply Act Amendment Bill, Tramways Bill, Tongariro National Park Bill, Legitimation Bill, Little Barrier Island Purchase Bill, Native Land Claims and Boundaries Adjustment' and Titles Empowering Bill were all read a second time practically without discussion. CRIMINAL CODS BUI. The Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill was reported from committee, read a third time, and passed. IN COMMITTEE. The Trustee Act Amendment Bill, Stamps Act Amendment Bill, Water Supply Act Amendment Bill, Legitimation Bill passed through committee without material amendment. -

In committee on the Ministerial Residences Sale Bill an amendment by Mi Millar to the effect that the properties should be leased and not sold was lost by 20 to 17.

' Sir R. Stout moved a new clause vesting the ministerial residence in Tinakori road in the Middle District of New Zealand University Council as an endowment for the university. Mr Guinness ruled that as the.amendment dealt with the appropriation of money derived from Crown reserves the 1 consent of the Crown must be obtained before it could he'put; The' Bill was under discussion when the telegraph office closed at 2 a.m.