HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5142, 10 July 1885, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2 30. p.m. Mr Stout said that in consequence of the manner in which the Committee of Ways and Means dealt with the tariff resolutions last night, he should ask the House to to adjourn till 7.30 p m. in order to enable the Government to consider what steps should be taken on that subject. The House then adjourned. On resuming at 7 30, Mr Stout said that since the House rose that afternoon the Government had considered the position into which they were put by the Committee of Ways and Means. They had consulted with their supporters, and had come to the conclusion not to ask the House to again go into Committee on the tariff resolution. They would ask the House to validate the resolution already passed by the Committee, and by the leave of the House he would move a resolution to that effect. They need hardly state that the loss to the revenue by the action of the Committee would be £70,000. The Government proposed to meet the loss by renewing for two years the £50,000 DeEciency Bills of 1883 84. and as to the other £20,000, it was proposed that the expenses of the Constabulary in defence work, should be charged on loan ; this would recoup the loss of the £70,000 from the duties. Government intended to proceed with the Local Finance and Powers Bill, which they considered a Ministerial Bill in the strictest sense of the term. They proposed to withdraw from the Bill the proposal for borrowing on subsidies, and would not ask the House to fix any time for giving subsidies to local bodies. He regretted that th» House had not granted the additional supplies asked for under the tariff, as the duties would press fairly on all classes, and provided at the same time that local industries were not interfered with, in order that no injury should be done to the mercantile community. He asked leave to move the resolution which rescinded the Customs duties resolution of 19th June (except so far as related to spirits, bitters, wine, sparkling wine, and Australian wine). — The resolution was put and carried on ihe voices.

In reply to Major Atkinson, the Premier said that they were not in a position to bring down the Customs Duties Bill, but it would be ready by Tuesday next.

The following bills were introduced and read a first time:—A bill to amend the Pharmacy Act of 1880, and the Pedlars and Hawkers Bill. Mr Eoss mored that all correspondence between Government and the Otago Harbor Board relating to the construction of the proposed graving dock afc Port Chalmers, be laid on the table.—Carried. Mr Hobbs moved the second reading of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1881 Amendment Bill.—Mr Fitzherbert thought if small sweeps were abolished, it would be the means of driving money invested therein in New Zealand over to the sister colonies. He moved an amendment that the bill be read six months hence.—The Premier supported the bill as likely to i check the excessive gambling now indulged in sweeps.—Mr Joyce though it impossible to stop consulations so long as Australian newspapers circulated in the colony.—Messrs Turnbull, Steward, Fulton, and Peacock supported the second reading, and Messrs O'Connor and Xerr opposed it. —The motion for the second reading was carried on the voices. The Cemeteries Act Amendment Bill, and the Postal Notes Bill were read a third time and passed. Mr Tole moved the second reading of the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act 1867 Amendment Bill. He said the reason for introducing the bill was owing to a case recently heard in the Divorce Court at Wellington, wherein Judge "Richmond said that as the Act stood at present he was unable to give the petitioner (a young girl) release from her husband. —The Premier agreed that it was desirable to alter the law in some respects, but he would not go so far as to say that desertion should form a ground. He thought that cases of lunacy or persons imprisoned for life might form an action for divorce.—The second reading was agreed to. Mr Stout moved the second reading of the Industrial School Act Amendment Bill, and explained that it provided that those in a position to do so should contribute towards the support of their chilj dren.—Agreed to. I Mr Stout moved the second reading of the Municipal Corporation Bill.—Agreed to. Mr Larnach moved the second reading of the Mines Act 1877 Amendment Bill. —Mr Guinness, while supporting the bill, objected to leaving the power in the hands of the Governor-in-Council for fixing the fees for the lease of miner's right,—The second reading was carried. Mr Ballance moved the second reading of th« West Coast Settlement Keierveo

Act 1881 Amendment Bill, and said the passing of it would greatly facilitate the settlement of the lauds of the West Coast. —Agreed to. The House adjourned at 9.20 p.m.