PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8226, 1 September 1906, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aueiwt 31. The Legislative Coiuioil met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. A. Pitt moved that the Council at rising adjourn unMl Wednesday week. He explained that the financial debate ia the other Ol'ainber would pravmil; measures being sent to the Connoil. The motion was carried. On the motion of the llc-u. W. D. H. Baillie, a motion appreciative of Sir J. G. Ward's services at the Postal Conference at Rome, and expressing Mie hope that universal penny postage would soon be adopted, was carried. The Hon. A. Pitt moved the second reading of (he I'owii Districts I Bill, amending the Act of 1881. The Bill was carried on the voices. The Hon. A. Pitt moved the second reading ot the Firearms Bill, to prohibit the sale of firearms and ammunition ana the use thereof by youths under sixteen years of age. The mover said the measure was necessitated by tha 'numerous accidents whiuh occurred through the use of firearms by youths. The lawful use of rifles or ammunition by School Cadets was not pro hibited. After a general discussion appreciative of tbo proposal, the Bill was read a second time. The Hon. A. Pitt moved the seoond reading of the Sale of Explosives Bill, to make better provision for regulating the sale of explosives. The seoond reading was agreed to. The second reading of the Fisheries Conservation Acts Amendment Bill was moved by the Hon. A. Pitt. It amends the Act of 1903 so as to prevent the pollution of rivers and restricting the sile of fish whether frozen, chilled or not, during the close season; for the inspection of freezing chambers and refrigerating works; and for prohibiting or regulating the export of trout, salmon or other acclimatized fish. The seoond reading was agreed to. The Council adjourned at 4.15 o'olook till Wednesday week. i ______ HOUSE .OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 o'clock. The fallowing petition was received—"The undersigned, humbly petition the House to enquire into the methods of the New Zealand Press Association in it's use of the Electric Lines Act, 1884, and the means it employs to limit membership. The petitioners affirm that the said Association is a olose corporation; thut in fact the management in some oases have dictated prohibitory terms of membership by quoting a heavy entrance fee, and subscription, and newspapers which would otherwise contribute to the telegraphic revenue of the colony have been shut out. They believe this to be an injustice to the papers and the community, and they contend that in view of the public concessions in respect to press wires, the State should see that no abuses prevail in respect to the dissemination of news through the medium of any existing agency. They ask that if the Association's obarges cannot be reviewed the copyright under the Eleotrio Lines Act should be remuved, and that in any case the general methods of the agency should be reviewed." The petitioners are the proprietors of the Soldfields Advocate, Karangabake, t. Ida Chronicle, Naseby, Kawhia Settler, Northern Luminary, Pelorus Guardian, Hunterville Express, Manawatu Farmer, Waimate Witness, Mount Benger Mail and Balolutha Free Press. Mi Jennings suggested the reference of this petition to a spoainl committee to be set up. Mr Maseey said there was a precedent for this course, adding that it was high time something were done in the dirootion indicated. The Premier said he would consider the point. CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES. The Premier moved the appointment of Mr R. MoKenzie. Mr Jennings moved an amendment in the direction of substituting the name of Sir W. Steward in the resolution. The House divided on th* question of retaining the name of Mr MoKenzie, and the name was retained by 41 votes to 37 votes. ADJUSTMENT OF REPRESENTATION. On the motion for going into Supply, Mr Maesey oalled attention to the important question of the readjustment of electoral boundaries iu accordance with the provisions of the Representation Act. He did not know if any report had yet been made, but he remiuded the Government that within three months after the presentation of a I report from the Registrar-General the Representation Commission must set to work to adjust the electorates accordingly. He hoped that when that time came the Commissioners would pay more attention than heretofore [to the community of interest and natural boundaries. Mr T. McKenzie complained of the want of community of interest under present arrangements. The Premier said that no report had as yet been rendered. IMPREST SUPPLY. An Imprest Supply Bill for £016,000 was put through all its stages without amendment, and with almost no discussion. STAMP DUTY AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. Carroll moved the second reading of this BUI. Messrs J?eid, Hauan, Barclay, Wilford and Massey discussed the measure. The Bill was read a seoond time. REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS EXTENSION BILL. This Bill was committed and reported with one amendment, namely, the reduction of the registration fee from £1 to ss. The amendment was agreed to.

JURIES AOT AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. Mr MoGowan moved the second reading of the Bill. Mr Wilford objooted to the difference between the amount to be paid iu advance by litigants for jurymen (10s) and the amount paid to jurymen ia a full day's [sitting (8s); alyo to the reduction of the latter amount by 4s for half-day sittings. Tim House adjourned for dinner at D.20 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 o'cloak. Mr Barclay and Mr Baume supported the Bill. The Minister replied, and the Bill was read a second time on the voices. ADOPTION OF CHILDREN BILL. Mr Baume moved to report progross. He did so beoause the Minister refused to drop Clause 2, which prevents adopting parents from receiving premiums, etc. He said the clause would absolutely prevent the adoption of children in many deserving cases. Mr Barclay seconded the motion. Mr Raid suggested postponing the Bill tn a later hour. The Hon. Mr MoGowan had no objection to report progress, but would not drop the >lause. Mr Major urged the advantages of reflection. Mr Fisher wished to know when toe Minister would put the Bill-on the Order Paper in case of postponement. An informal discussion followed on this point. Ten o'olook was mentioned. The Prime Minister pointed out that that would in the absenoe of an understanding as (to reasonable discussion enly the Bill oat. He objected to the threats of obstruction, but not to a reasonaide discussion. After further discussion on the point the discussion on the motion to report progress proceeded. Mr Wilford said every form of tha House would be used to prevent Clause 2 from passing. At 8.35 the motion was lost (ayes 21, noes 42) after an unsuccessful proposal from the Minister in charge of the Bill to have the Bill postponed for a while. Mr MoLaohlan moved that the Chairman leave the ohair at 9 o'cloak. The motion was lost by 16 votes to 48 votes. The first clause was passed, and on the motion of the Minister progress was reported.

OPIUM PROHIBITION ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Bilhwas committed in all its clauses, and passed without amendment, and ordered to be reported.

FIRE BRIGADES BILL. This Bill was oomtnitteJ, and 13 clauses passed, the lash with an amendment proposed by Mr Fisher, making the board responsible for wHfal or negligent damage to water maina, etc., durine the extinction ' of Ores or at fire drill. The above bills were reported to the House. '. The fJouse adjourned at 11.10 p.m.