PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2901, 17 May 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(United Press Association.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Wednesday,

Leave of absence for a week was granted' to Mr J. B. Wliyte, and for one month to Sir Julius Vogel, on urgent private business.

Replying to questions, it was stated that au amendment of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, with the yiew of abolishing or restricting the use of the totalisator, was still under the consideration of the Government. That in 110 case had officers been dismissed from the police department aud others taken on in their places. That a Bill would be introduced dealing with the whole question of the relief of Government settlers by re-valuation of their holdings,'. That it was not intended to iuterfyw witli th? tmm upon which

village homestead settlers held their lands. That there was very little possibility of an amended Bankruptcy Act this session, owing to the large number of amendments suggested. That it was not intended to introduce any measure this session dealing with local Government reform and reduction in the number of local bodies. That the question of Waste Lands Boards was under the consideration of the Government.

Mr Beetham moved: That in the opinion of this House it is desirable that the Government should introduce a measure during the present session providing that a proportion of the earnings of totalisators and theatrical companies should be by Act appropriated for purposes of hospitals and charitable aid. He said about £IO,OOO could be realised from the totalisator if two per cent were deducted from its earnings, wiiich were computed to bo about £500,000 or £600,000 a year.. He thought, also, a small tax on theatrical tickets would not press very hardly on anybody, as the system worked well iu Paris and other places. Mr Goldie supported the motion. Messrs Fish and Fraser also supported it, but strongly objected to any tax on theatrical companies. Mr Samuel disagreed with the proposal to put any tax on. theatrical companies, but lie should support that portion of the motion relating to totalisators.

Mr Hutchison asked the House to pause before committing itself on this question. Members expressed themselves against totalisators, and yet they were now asked to pass a motion which would popularise it, by raising revenue from it.

Dr Newman supported the motion, and protested against the large number of race meetings that were being held in every little town and village in the colony. Mr Fitcliott opposed it, and held that totalisators minimised the evil of gambling in the Colony. Mr Carroll said that he saw 110 harm in the lotalisator. What was wanted was to bring it. more under control than it was at present. Jf it was illegal, drink was illegal; he asked why public-houses should not be abolished as well as totalisators. Mr Hobbs was not sure that an amendment would meet the case and ho was surprised the Government had not led the House on such an important matter. He fully sympathised with the amendment.

Mr Kerr thought it would be a wrong thing to do away with totalisators at country meetings, as there was 110 dishonesty connected with the totalisator. He hoped the House would go on with the business, and not trouble itself with such matters. Mr Allen did not like either the motion or the amendmeut, as they we're shuffling out of a difficulty. He thought that there were many other things which should be taxed before theatrical amusements, which were often very amusing and instructive. He would prefer to see the whole question of gambling dealt with by Government.

Mr Hodgkinson heartily supported the amendment.

Mr Levestam opposed both the amendment and the original resolution.

Mr O'Connor supported the motion. MrDodson said they must either have totalisators or bookmakers, He held that the totalisators had abolished bookmakers, and in doing that they had accomplished a good work. He should vote against both motion and amendment. Mr Fulton's amendment was put and lost by 45 to 21. Mr Fefdwick moved to omit the words " Theatrical Companies" from the motion. Mr Beetham accepted this amendment, which was carried on the voices. The motion as amended was then put, when Mr Taylor rose to speak 011 it, and was interrupted fcy the 5.80 adjournment. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Legislative Council the Speaker took his seat at 2,30. Several new Bills were introduced by Sir F. Whitaker. The Hon W. D. H. Baillie wis appointed Chairman oft Committee's. The Hon, G. McLean resumed'the debate on the Address-in-Beply. He considered a considerable saving could be made 111 railways and education. He thought the Education Board might be done away with. That great care was necessary in legislating for influx of Chinamen.

_ The Hon. G. H, Jolmston would like to see railways out of the control of Government, He considered too much fuss had been made about the Chinese question, and great care was necessary in legislating. The Hon. S. E. Shrimski briefly referred to the question of Freetrade and Protection, and said a little of the latter was necessary. The motion was put and carried, and the House rose at 8.50 till Thurs. day, Evening Sitting, The House resumed at 7.30. A Bill to repeal the New Zealand Loan Act, 1887, was read a first time, the Premier intimating that lie should ask the House to pass the Bill through all stages next day.

A Bill to authorise the borrowing of one million for immigration, construction of public works, and other purposes was read a first time. The Education Franchise Bill was read a second time.

The Otago Central Railway Bill passed its second stage, and was referred to the Waste Lands Committee.

Mr Hutchison moved the second reading of the Hospitable and Charitable Aid Institutions Bill, the object' of which is to separate Patea from the Wanganui district. Mr Taylor strongly opposed the Bill, and moved that it be read a second time that day six months.

The Premier said the Government would not support'any Bill for separation of districts which was not agreed to by both parties. Mr Beetham thought the Premier's statement was unsatisfactory. He referred to the "unholy union "of Wairarapa aiwl Wellington as a casp

in which separation was needed,point ing out that the Wairarapa was beingheavily taxed and the money spent ill Wellington in a manner Over which the United District Board had no-son*• trol. The peculiarity of the posijßi was that the North County had taxed itself to the utmost extent, and neither the Government nor the United District Board could further compel taxation, they could only sell the County Offices. He warmly supported the Bill, holding it to be the duty of the Government to take this matter in hand, and to take the initiative in it as an urgent question. After further discussion, the adjournment of the debate for a fortnight was .carried by 46 to 80.

Mr Hobbs moved the se'Snid reading of the'Kamo and Kowfikawa Sailway Construction and Connection Bill, which authorises the construe tion of the railways by a syndicate. Mr Monk supported the Bill. f jui Mr Scorbie Mackenzie opposed Bill. He moved as an amendment to the motion for second reading— That'as this Billinvolves the construction of an entirely new line of railway which has never yet been specifically undertaken by the Colony, it is inexpedient in the present condition of New Zealand to enter upon ityflnsideration. The Minister of Justice said he held that the time had arrived wlieu many,, of these works would have to be raado on the land grant system. He. expressed a hope that the Bill would be passed by the' House. Eventually the motion was lost by 23 to 21, and the amendment of Mr McKcnzie was carried without division. The House rose at 12.40 a.m.