PARLIAMENTARY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1100, 15 June 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

i UNITED PREB3,A3SMIAIION. In the Legislative Connoil yesterday the 'Oonapt Practices Act Amendiient BiH was •finally passed. ' Tho'seoondreail'nKof Dr Menart Education Aot Amendmont Bill to enable the Bible to. be read in schools was lost by 11 to lor' "~ : ~ r "-' ."

In the Houße, in reply to questions, it was Stated that the "responsible persons' would be prosecuted for overcrowding steamers conveying visitors to : &MjiS. Nelson last Sunday in Wellington, The Government were now enforcing the' Babbit Act strin* gently. IfTe Whiti's wbaTe'rt'Pankaka had been pu)'ed down it was no great loss, it being old and unhealthy,; his ; wjle could have, had no difficulty in obtaining cither accommodationi ■> \'4 '/:

Soveral new Bills were and a number of returns ordered."■;' ; ■•■■

Mr Daniels moved a resolution in favor of the'Government'applying to the Home Government for a ship to bo used as a training ship for boys. ." '" "/

; Mr Dick moved as an raendment: that ;the Government should only make enquiiicß as to the!possibility of obtaining a vessel and the probable cost of her maintenance.

: After a long discussion the amendment was lost by 44 to 29,

•Mr Connolly moTed the omission of the words Home Government in original motion so as to leavo the Government open to get a suitable vessel wherever it could: . -

After a discuesion Mr Daniel accepted this, and the motion lis amended was carried. Mr Peacock then moved in addition that the yesßel formerly at Eohinimarama should 'be restored, and that similar small vessels : ah bttld be obtained for eacfc of the principal porta of the colony.

This was rejected by 48 to 24» and'the ordinal motion was passed, ■'•'■' '■

-'JnMrßolleston'smotion a new writ was issued for Stanmore.

At the evening sitting,' Mr Shrihski moved the second reading of the.Pensions Bill, which he explained, was similar to a Bill passedbythe House last session, but rejected in Covnoil. The clause to which tho latter objebtedwas, however, omitted. He disclaimed all intention of interfering with existing rights, altough some had been most improperly granted in the past, Mr Bolikston opposed the Bill, as it was calculated to injure the Civil Service. Pensions were not a growing evil, as none could accrue Biuco 1871. The Bilftherefofe dealt with existing rights, and he thought it should be referred to a select committee, so .that those affected could be heard in theii* [own defence,? ''•'•' ..Mr Sheeh/n and Mr Montgomery supported the Bill, and it was read a second iime without'division, '

'vMrfenwjcK;moved the second reading ot4Ke Telegrpß Protection Bill, which wa 9 almost'a.tranßoHpt.of an Act in force in South.;:Austfali^Bince' 1873.',-Cftble news cost proprietors% r ge 'sinus o(money, and it was'unfair, that they should be pirated by unscrupulous l persons who refused to contribute to their cost';"" ; ;, .

"Mr Petri? opposed the Bilf, as one aimed at tho liberty of tho Press, and intended to encourstje a monopoly on t the part,»flarge papers, and to Crush out the small but equally valuable papers. • Mr Joyce opposed the Bill,' as calculated to strengthen already too powerful ring,

Mr Bracken thoroughly supported th e Bill, a? a fair and reasonable measure to, proicct-proporty from piracy. \

Mr Hutchison opposed tho Bill, and contended that there could bo no copyright in news. As soon as he bought a newspaper he was free to uso its contents as he likod.

Mr Shepherd supported the. Bill, as measure of honesty and right. .The only liberty : was the .liberty whioh some people took to nse without payment what did not belong to them. If ' a man bought a book he could not Republish it" and the same rule should apply to these costly telegrams. Mr J. W. Thompson would like to protect expensive telegrams, but objected to the entrance fees charged by the Press Assooiation; ...•■;•■

Mr SrawAitD supported the Bill, but in committee would move to reduce the time during which the protection should exist' . Mr Fitzgerald opposed tho Bill. Al newspapers were amass of piracy, and it was ridiculous to talk of any right .of property in news. Mr Feldwick replied at .some length, and the second reading .of the Bill was carried by 32 to 27. The Gas Consumers Liability Bill (Hutohison) passed through committee with amendments.

Mr Tols moved the second reading of the law of tho Libel Amendment Bill, intended to assimilate the law in the colony to that recently passed at Home. The debate was adjourned.' ■'■

In committee, Mr Smith's motion for £6OOO on the estimates in aid of district libraries gave rise to a long discussion, especially as to the mode of distribution. The amendment by Mr George that it should he amongst counties and outlying distriota, in proportion to the.population, Was i lostby4stoli

Mr' Surra ultimately consented to omit all that part of the motion relating to the' distribution, and the first part, simply asking for £6OOO to be put on the estimates for the purpose.—This was carried by 39 to 10. Mr Turnbdu. gave, notioe of a resolution in favor of a progressiva land tax on proper, ries oyer SOO.aores,,.-. ■ ~; :