GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 348, 1 October 1898, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

♦ LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. FRIDAY. GAMING AND LOTTERIES BILL. Clause 2, imposing a penalty of £lO for betting in the street, was agreed to by 18 to 7. 'Clause 3, constables may arrest offenders without warrant, was struck out by 16 to 13. Progress was then reported. LUNATIC ACT AMENDMENT KILL. This Bill was read a recond time. HOUSE OF BEPRESENTATIVES. THURSDAY. The House met at 2.30. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. In reply to questions Ministers stated that the reason ftr not disclosing the names of valuers who had tendered, and of those whose tenders were accepted, under the Government Laud Valuation Act, was that in many cases the lowest tender was not that of a capable valuer, and that the difference in the amounts paid to tenderers, if published, would cause dissension between various tenderers ; that the did not propose to give notice prior to November, 1899, under the agreement with the Manawatu railway, to acquire the railway, as the company had not evinced any desire to part with their line, and the Government did not see why they should interfere. Capt. Russell moved the adjournment of the House, as he considered the reply respecting the Manawatu railway was unsatisfactory. He did not think it would be unwise en the part of the Go\ernment to enter into negotiations for the purchase of the line. The motion was discussed till 5.30. OLD AGE PENSIONS. The Old Age Pensions Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 13, general rules for computing income. Considerable discussion ensued on the signification of sub-clause 1, providing that there shall be deducted from an income any income derived from accumulated property. Ultimately, subclause 1 was retained by 41 to JS. Objeetiou was taken to the next; subclause, providing, where in addition to wages or personal earnings a person receives board and lodgings, the cost of such net exceeding £26 per annum, shall be included in computation of yearly income. Mr Rolleston contended it was a blot on the Bill, and would lead to collusion between employer and employee. Mr O'Regau moved that the sub-ohuse be struck out. Mr Buchanan moved to amend it to make it apply to eases where board and lodgings were received for services rendered. After a short discussion Mr O'Regau withdrew his motion. Mr-Seddon moved to strike out subclause 4, which provides that income accruing, but not actually received, during the year, shall be deemed to be apporportioned, and to be received month by month during the year. Mr Duthie suggested that as the provision was not clear, progress should be reported in order that it and other provisions in the Bill could be brought down hi an intellegible form. The Premier's motion was agreed to, and the clause was agreed to. Clause 14, pensions payable monthly. Mr Herries moved an amendment to provide for pensions being paid weekly. Mr Smith, as a prior amendment, moved that pensions amounting to £l2 and over shall be paid weekly, all below that amount monthly. Mr Seddon said that members had no right to assume that a majority of the recipients cf pensions would spend their pensions in drink, and pointed out that weekly payments would mean four instead of one occisions of falling into temptatiou. After discussion, Mr Smith's amendment was negatived by 34 to 19. Mr Herries withdrew his amendment, and the clause passed unaltered. Clauses 15, 16' and 17 passed unaltered. Clause 18 was slightly amended, and agreed to at 1.15 a.m. Mr Moore moved to report progress, but this was negatived by 20 to 18. Clause 19, 20 and 21 were agreed to unaltered, and clauses 22 to 34 inclusive, with exception of clauses 26, 29 and 31, which were postponed, tvere agreed to, and progress reported. The House adjourned at 2.30 a.m. FRIDAY. IMPREST NO. 4 UILL, On the question of the seoond reading being put, Capt. Russell pointed out that in mauy districts much more was raided by taxation than was spent in public works for many years past, and the sums expended were disproportionate to requirements. He objected to public moneys being spent principally where the Government possessed the voting power. He also complained that no notice had been given of the proposed increase of the police force, and advocated smaller police districts, aa the present ones were so large that it was impossible for Inspectors to do their work properly. In order to promote the efficiency of the force, a number of thoroughly disciplined superior others, who had been removed from the immediate contact of the pisn over whom they had control, he saw np reason why they should not be procured outside the colony. He referred to the transfer by order in Council of sums from one public works vote to other votes in the same fund. He added that these transfers had been intended to be used only in cases of emergency, but under the present administration transfers were becoming an everyday occurrence. Mr Duthie referred to these transfers as vicious, and contended that the law should be altered to prevent them. He advocated more vigorous prosecution of the main trunk line. Mr Smith said the votes on the Public Works Estimates for Canterbury were disproportionate to the requirements of r,he district. §Herriqs cpntpr.ded that the pqjvo system of constructing public should be abolished, Mr Moore complained that 25 per cent, of the expenditure for public works was to be spent in the Auckland province. The second reading was agreed to, and the Bill passed its final stages. OLD AGE PENSIONS BILL. This Bill was further considered in committee and several clauses were ugreed to. [Left sitting at midnight].