HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5143, 17 July 1885, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying to questions, it was stated the Goreminent were considering the question of the preservation of the rock oyster fisheries in the North with a view to having a report prepared; that the Treasurer of Counties who had not sup* plied returns of balance-sheets would be asked to do so at once; that copies of statues passed during each session were already supplied to libraries in all the large centres, but Government ~ did not think it desirable to incur the heavy expense entailed by sending them to erery library in the colony, as it would cost too muoh. Mr Johnson introdaeed a Bill to amend the Financial Arrangement Act, 1876. The Armed Constabulary 1876 Amendment Bill, and the School Committee Election Bill were reported, read a third time, and passed. Mr Lerestam moved the secotid reading of the Employment of Females and Others Act 1881 Amendment Bill, which provided that extra hours moy be worked in case of emergency, and for changing the half holiday from Saturd-y to another day.—Agreed to. MrDownie Stewart moved the second reading of the Bible Beading in Schools '■Bill.—Mr Stout opposed the Bill, and moved that it be read a third time that day six months.—Messrs Macandrew, Turn bull, Fulton, nnd Bruce, spoke strongly in favor of the Bill, and Messrs Montgomery, Thomson (Auckland), and Lerestam opposed it.—Mr Bevan strongly opposed the bill, and hoped that it would be thrown out in an unmistakeable manner, so as to show the House would bare nothing to do with it.—Mr Hatch would vote against the bill, as he bad done last session.—Sir George Grey admitted that (here was an organised effort throughout the world to put an end to Christianity. He quoted from a newspaper published in Dunedin, which said: " The Deity did not exist, or the universe would not be so badly made." He contended that the Bible was the foundation on which the British nation rested. He maintained that the main doctrine which the Bible taught was that men did not exist alotse, but that there was a silent monitor always leading him to do what was right. He was not in faror of Bible- reading in schools, and would rote against the bill. He hoped jnembers would not give a silent rote on the question.— Mr flakuene expressed himself as filled with shame at the arguments he had heard against the bill, and if the present measure was rejected, he hoped a bill would be brought in dealing with the subject in connection with native schools. —Mr Stewart said tbe effect of the bill would aid the present educational system rather than tend to destroy it. The Premier had treated the whole subject with an amount of levity unbecoming his position. He thought the House should adopt the bill, which was not compulsory, but • merely optional.—Mr Trimble had no objection to Bible reading in schools, providing the teachers were allowed absolute liberty to explain the passages they taught. He, however, would oppose the second reading— W. F. Buckland, Pratt, andW. C. Smith opposed the bill, and the motioD for tlie second reading was then put, and lost on a division by 18 to 50.—The following is the division list :— Ayes: Atkinson, Brown, Bruce, Cowan, Hakuene, iTess, Lance, Lornach, Macaudrew, McKenzie J., Pvke, Boss, Steward W. J., Steward W. D, Sutter, Teao, Turnbull. — Noes: Ballance, Barron, Bersn, Bryce, Buchanan, Buckland J. C, Buckland W. F., Cadman, Connolly, Dobson, Duncan, Fergus, Fitzherbert, Fraser, Gore, Grey, Guinness, Hamhn, Hatch, Hirst, Hobbs, Hurst W. J., JohnBtone, Joyce, Kerr. Lake, Leyestam, Locke, McArtliur, McKenzie W. J., Menteitb, Mitchelson, Moat, Montgomery, O'Callaghan, Ormond, Peacock, Pere, Pratt, Reese, Bichardson, Bolleston, Smith, Stout, Thompson E., Thomson J. W., Tole, and Trimble. Pairs: Ayes, Fulton and Harper; noes, Moss and Newman. Mr Fergus resumed the debate on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, and gave Government credit for their endeavor to grapple with this important subject, and thought the present system might be continued for a year longer, so that a more acceptable measure might be brought down next session. Unless he had it from the Treasurer that larger subsidies should be granted, he would be compelled to vote against the second reading.—Mr Monteomery considered the proposals in the measure would result in the imposition of fresh taxation. Whatever rate was necessory for hospital and charitable aid should be levied on property, and the town and country should pay in proportion. He hoped contributions would be charged pound for pound, and he objected to a Government nominee being placed, on the Board —Mr Cowan thought the Bill a creditable attempt on the part of Governi/ment to fulfil its promises, but did not, " however, agree with the whole of the provisions, ar there was a tendency to introduce descentralising of the Government of the colony. He thought contnbutions under the Act should be pound for pound, and he would use every endeavor to amend it in that direction. This day. Sir Julius Togel explained the concessions Government were willing to make as regards institutions under district boards. Government would give £ for £ for all voluntary contributions, exclusive of bequests, for two years, and in order to discourage rates. P»ymentß, b? local bodies up to £500 should be looked on as voluntary contributions.. They ,would continue £ for £, exclusive of the bequests. He thought two years too short I period for the Act to remwnm existence. Government wished bequests to be dealt with in accordance with the spirit of the £ver and not as maintenance money. With regard to requisition tolocal bodies, Government favored their being based on population, not property. .Gk™jg would not object to a clause providing for Government nominees on boards _beog excised from the bill. Referring^ the

bodies, and if more than two bodies, two trustees should be elected.— Major Atkinson said the alteration certainly removed many objections, and suggested that the Bill be re-printed ; the House might pass the second reading, and alter the Bill in Committee.—Sir J. Togel would endeavor to carry out the suggestions of the last speaker ; but the Government cocsid: red the Bill an important ont, and would not take the second reading as a concession. If any member wished io challenge the Bill, let him move that it be read that day six months hence.—Major Atkinson moved the adjournment of the debate, and said if the Government persisted in going on with the Bill, it would not get Ibrough in many months. —The Premier objpeted to the adjournment, and after some further discussion, Major Atkinson withdrew his amendment, on the understanding that the Bill would be reported. The second reading was agreed to on the voices, and the House rose at midnight.