HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4921, 17 October 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Replying to questions, it was stated a sum would be placed on the Estimates to meet the case of those who, by order of the late Government, in March last were unexpectedly deprived of their right to nominate their wives and children left behind in the old country.—When a School for Agriculture came to be established in the North Island, as was the case in the South, the manufacture of cheese and butter could be provided for with the view of fostering that industry. Sir Georce Grey introduced the Printers' and Newspapers Eegistration Act 1868 Amendment Act On the motion for the first reading, he explained that under existing circumstances anyone presenting a book or paper to which the printer's name and address had uot been attached was along with the printer himself, liable to heavy penalties. )he bill was intended to remedy that hardship. He thought it was a measure Government might very properly takeover.— Mr Macandrew remarked that he hoped the Bill would make such provisions that the writer's name should be appended to newspaper articles.—Mr Stout added as a further suggestion that a similar provision should be made as to the names of Parliamentary newspaper correspondents. He promised that Government would assist in pushing the Bill through.

A bill was also introduced and read a firat time to repeal sections 4 and 14 of the South Island Native Reserves Act 1883 (Taiaroa).

_ The following Bills were read a third time :—Thames Recreation Beserves Bill, Wanganui Harbour Board Eating, and West Harbour Borough Empowering

Mr Guinness moved a second reading of the Coroners and Juries Abolition Bill. —Mr Stout did not think the Bill necessary at all. If Juries were to be abolished it would be better to abolish this form of inquiry altogether, if the Coroners' inquiry was to be held, then the public should have a voice in the matter.—Mr Peacock advocated the establishment of the Scotch system of preliminary inquiry by means of the procurator, fiscal, or other judical officer.—Mr Guiness expressed surprise that Government should oppose a measure su manifestly in the interest of the industrial part of (he population, in whoso interest the measure was mainly conceived, as attendance on these juries was a great draw on the public time, and they found, as a rule, that the verdict rested wholly on the opinion of the . Coroner—The House divided : Ayes 37, noes 21. The Bill vras read a second time. On the motion for committal of the School Committees Election Bill, Mr Hoileston appealed to the member to withdraw it, stating hi 3 opinion that it was wholly in the interest of the enemies of our present educational system.—Mr Waiter supported the bill.—Mr Stout contended that the educatioa system as it stood did very well. Comparing the calibre of the. members of the School Committee with that of the average City Councillor, the comparison was ia favor of the former. The bill would not improve the results of the selections.—Mr Garrick denied that the bill in any way affected the operations of the Education Act; it would merely operate toward its more harmonious working.—Mr Montgomery spoke against the bill.—Mr Steward pointed out the defects in the Act as it existed, and explained the provisions of the bill as applicable to the I demands of these defects. He denied that | the bill was in any way calculated to destroy or interfere judicially with the operations of the Act as it stood. —The House divided—Ayes, 36; noes, 18. This day. The House went into Committee on the School Election Committee Bill. Clause 3, relating to the time of retiring from office, was struck out. Several attempts were made to amend clause 7, so as to allow an elector to distribute bis votes • amongst the candidates as he thiaks fit, but none succeeded, and the clause passed as printed. In clause 16 an amendment was carried defining a householder as one who resides in the district. The Bill .reported with amendments. The False Notice of Birfcbs Bill was ' also reported with amendments, and the House rose ai 12.45 a.m..