GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 464, 22 July 1899, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REEPRSENTATIVES. THURSDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. The Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill was introduced by the Premier, and read a first time. A BORROWING BILL. Mr Lewis moved the second readme of the Christcluirch City Borrowing Bill. It empowered the Christchurch City Council to borrow £25,000, partly for the purpose of paying < tf the Bank overdraft and so relieving the burden of interest payment, as money could be borrowed at a lower ra-e of interest than was paid for the overdraft. The remainder of tho money to be borrowed was for public woiks, inc'uding the purchase of a central yard and erecting of ce-t;»in buildings and bridges. He was willing to make amendments as to taking a p-.di of ratepayers on the Hihiect before the loan was ra'i-ed. Several mvinbers spoke against the principle embodied in the B'U nf raiting a loin without a poll of ratepiyers. The Premier sai it w s singul r that a Bill should be intr.-iduct.-d seating our a definite policy, and the member introducing it should offer amendments changing the entire policy. It had not been stated how the overdraft earns to he £IO,OOO. Was it above the legal amount ? Nor was it stated what was the revenue of the corporation. It was proposed to raise £25,C00 for public works without consulting the people interested, and he. objected to this on principle. Information should be given as to the cost of the var'ous works and thenece.-sity f r thun There were many peop'e «ln borrowed money who did not care at all about repay meht. They only looked to iir.medi ate benefits. The present Bill vui3 of the loosest and most slip-shod hind, and if the House passed it in its piescut form, it would pass anything. Several other members having spoken on the subject, Mr Lewis, in rrply, pointed out that he had anticipated most of the o' jections to the Bill by expressing his wilbmness to accept amendments lo provide for a poll of ratepayers before the loin was raised. The second reading was carried on the roices. GATES ON ROADS. After a brief debate, the Roads Obstruction Bill (Mr Steward) was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. LIQUOR BILL. Mr Gilfedder moved the second reading of the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act Amendment Bill, a measure designed to remove the anomaly that has arisen in connection with a licensed house having been included in the prohibition district of Clutha on account of the alteration in the boundaries of the electoral district. A discussion ensued, in which Messrs Thomson, Wason, Morrison, Pirani, Taylor, Seddon, Meredith, Mills, Smith, Kelly, Field and Guinness took part, the latter moving that the Bill be read that day six months. Messrs Morrison. Taylor and Seddon coutinued the debate, which was adjourned, and the House rose at 12.30 a.m. FRIDAY. The House met at 230 p.m. PUBLIC PETITIONS. It was agreed that all petitions presented last session and not oonsidered be dealt with this session. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. It all depended upon circumstances whether the Government would inaugurate the penny postage. A vote would be asked this session to complete the Waiotu section of the Hikurangi railway. The Government intended to arrange that mails shall be delivered between Auckland aod Dunedin within 54 hours. As to appointing public law officers at the principal centres to give legal advice and assistance in Courts of Justice at a cost to be fixed by statute, it was a question of money. If the Government supplied cheap law in cities, similar concessions should be given in the country. That if it was found that the length of overtime worked by House clerks and clerks in mercantile houses was excessive, without extra pay, inquiries wou'd be made. It was a delicate matter, as an Inspector might see a light in a bank or premises and find the owner or manager at work. The Government did not approve of the number of members of the Legislative Council being reduced to half the number of membeis of the House of Representatives. The reform of the Cjuiicil, was a matter which should be refered to electors. The Liberal organiser is paid by Liberals out of Liberals' funds. Mr Seddon, in reply to Mr Taylor's question as the difference between travelling allowances, said he was pleased Mr Taylor had asked a question about which he (Taylor) knew everything. He the (Premier) would therefore leave the question in that situation. That the sooner the law was altered giving Magistrates discretionary power in the matter of endowing licenses the better, in case of unwitting breaches of the law. That the payment of £3 3s per day to Wardell and £1 Is a day to Poynter for sitting on the Police Commirsion was in accordance with law. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m.