GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 335, 1 September 1898, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

TUESDAY,

The Council met at '2.30 p.m

THE BANKING BILL. The Banking Bill was further considered in Committee ; but no additional amendments were made. Progress was reported in order to permit of the consideration of two clauses, which had been postponed. MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE. The Municipal Franchise Reform Bill was committed. An amendment by Mr Rigg, that a lodger be included in the term " residential occupant," was negatived. An amendment was agreed to increasing the time of residence necessary for qualification from three to six months, and another was also agreed to abolishing the dual vote of man ami wife. The Bill passed the Committee stage. The Council adjourned at 5.10 p.m. WEDNESDAY. IMPREST SOPPLY BILL. Thi3 Bill, granting £393,000, passed all its stages. MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE. The Municipal Franchise Retorm Bill was recommitted on the motion of Mr McLean, and an amendment made in clause 14, which will have the effect of retaining the present method of voting on financial issues by ratepayers, that is, the plurality system will continue. The Bill was then reported and finally passed. The Council ro3e at 5 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

TUESDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Chairman of Committee took the chair in the unavoidable absence of the Speaker. IUTIXG OF UNIMPROVED VALUES. The Rating on Unimproved Values Act Amendment Bill was introduced and read a first time. ILLUSTRATIONS IN HANSARD. The Reporting, Debates, and Printing Committee recommended the Speaker to publish Hansard with the map introduced by the Hon. J. MoKenzie in his speech on the Financial Statement. Mr Sedclon, as an amendment, moved, " That the House approves of the map being circulated with Hansard." A lengthy discussion ensued, wkich was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 IJITKEST SUPPLY. An Imprest Supply Bill for £395,000 for salaries, wages, and contingencies was agreed to by Committee of Supply. On a motion to refer it to a committee of Ways and Means, Mr G. Hutchison moved as an amendment, "That information shall be given to the public as to the amount collected on the different

articles of tariff affected by the revision of tariff in 1895 in the years 1893 and 1894, aud 1896 and 1897." The Deputy-Speaker ruled the amendmeut out of order, as it was an attempt to evade the Standing Order, which declared that returns cannot be moved for by way of amendments.' Mr Hutchison said this was another instance that no facility, or opportunity, was given for moving for returns or obtaining any information except euch as suits the Government. He dealt at some length with the effects of the revision of the tariff.

The motion was aereed to, the Bill being referred to, and reported from a Committee of Ways and Means. On the motion that the resolutions of the committee be agreed to, Mr Buchanan complained that the Government had refused to grant the return. Mr Duthic considered it was time to protest against the Ministers' refusal to grant returns. The fact was that the House had lost control of the public purse. In the course of the debate which ensued, Mr Rolleston contended that the Public Works Estimates should be considered concurrently with the general Intimates, and said it was shocking to think that they were drifting in the same direction as they did last session, when the Public Works Statement was bronght down five or six days before the end of the session, when th r ;re was practically no discussion at all on it. He asked the Premier to indicate what he intended doing this session in respect to the land quest ion, local government, and charitable aid reform. Mr Scobie Mackenzie said that obstruction to business, in which he himself had never taken part, was due to the Premier's tactics, which he systematically adopted, especially to the members of the Opposition, with respect to returns asked for.

A number of other speakers accused the Government of withholding information from members.

Shortly before midnight the resolution from the'Committee of Ways and Means ws»s agreed to, and the BUI read a first and second time. It was then committed aud passed without amendment. On the question of its third reading, Mr George Hutchison expressed the hope that before next Tuesday the Premier would bring down and pass a Loan Bill.

Mr Seddon said that members would reeognise that there had been a set determination to prevent the business of the country proceeding. The debate had taken place with no other purpose than to block the Old A«c Pensions, Master and Apprentice and Government Accident Insurance Bills. Ife then read a list of returns granted, and said when Hansard readers read it they would say, bother returns and those who waste time in asking for them. Of 72 returns ordered by members 39 had been presented. He pointed out that no Government had brought down the Public Works Estimates till supplies had been granted, a The Mwiia read a third time and passed. >f t The I. cise adjourned at 12.40 a.m. WEDNESDAY.

LIGHT LOCOMOTIVKS UIXL. The debate on the motion that the report of the Private Bills Committee with respect to the McLean Light Locomotives Bill he agreed to was resumed by Mr Feddon, who said if the treasure was not passed do other legislation would be introduced this session dealing with the motor cars. The present measure if passed would do just a* well as any geueiul public measure which could be patsed.

Capt. Russell said the Opposition would undertake not to debate a public measure on tho subject to such an extent as lo prevent a division being taken on tiie same day as it was introduced. The Kill should apply generally and the name McLean he eliminated.

A lengthy discussion ensured, during which objection was raised to the issuing of regulations under the Act by the O'o-vernor-in-Council, and it was advocated that these regulations should be framed and issued by local bodies.

Mr R. McKenzie moved that the Bill be referred back to the Private Pills Committee.

After further discussion, Mr Gilfulder moved the adjournment of the debate. Agreed to by 43 to IS. RETURNS.

Returns dealing with tho following matters weie ordered :—Claims under the Kupiti Island Public Reserve Act ; the number of people employed in tlu Government service for the year ending 18!)S ; correspondence adverse to Granting the New Zealand Cross to Harry Wrige ; the cost of the Naval and Military Settlers' Laud Claims Commission. The House resumed at. 7.30 p.m. INSTITI'TK OF SURVEYORS.

Mr Field moved the second reading of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors Bi 1 which provides for the re-incorpora-tion of the Institute of Surveyors. Ag reed to. FAMILY MAINTENANCE.

The Testators Family Provision out of Estate Bill was committed

Clause : 2Deceased person's estate liable for the maintenance and support of wife, husband or children.

Mr McNab moved an amendment providing that the Court may refuse to make an order in favour of any person whose character r r conduct in the opinion of the Court disentitles him or her to the benefit of an order under this section. This was discussed at some length, the chief objections being that a deceased person's family were entitled to maintenance and support irrespective of their character and conduct. Others objected to Hie whole principle of the Bill, and urged that it would prevent thrift and frugality.

Mr Guinness moved that the chairman leave the chair. After a discussion the motion was negatived by 29 to 8, and further discussion ensued on Mr McNab's amendment