PARLIAMENTARY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4465, 8 July 1893, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

Legislative Council. FRIDAY, JULY 7. THE LICENSING LAW, The Public Petitions Committee reported on the petition of the Bishop of Waiapu lor an amendment in the licensing law, that, as tlio subject matter of the petition related to a question of public policy, they had no recommendation to make. NEW BILLS, The Otago Harbour Board Erapowering Bill, the Representation Act Amendment Bill and the Payment of Members Aot Amendment Bill, introduced by message from the House of Representatives, were read the first time, THE LIBEL BILL. The Council then went into committee on this Bill. In clause I*l, j 'lnaction for libel in the Supremo Court, security for costs may bo required,'• the Hon. J. MacGregor was not aware the colonial press asked for any such provision, and personally he objected to it, as the mere (aot of the plaintiff being a poor man was to be held sufficient ground on which the Judge should order him to find security for costs. Ho moved, therefore, that the clause should he struck out,

The Hon, J. Bigg fully sympathised with tho poor man, bullion, members had to take the unprincipled man, the 1 man of straw, 1 into consideration, as there had been cases in which such individuals had brought actions against newspapers, and on a verdict being given against them had been j unable to pay tho costs of the proceedings.

Tlio Hon, W, McOullough supported the clause as affording protection to both parties in a libel action. The Hon. Sir George ty'hitmore said tlio object of the clause was to prevent' men of straw' commencing bogus actions. The tlon. J. MacGregor, in reply, said although the New Zealand press was remarkably wll conducted, yet thero were some newspapers which were not worth suing, and they simply levied blackmail on a community, The answer to his objection would hare been to insert a clause compelling the newspaper proprietor to show that he was capable of paying the costs of an action.

Tlio clause was retained on the voices, and : the remaining clauses were adopted without material amendment. The Bill was then put through its final stages.

How of Representatives. LAND AND INCOME TAX. ' MrT, Mackenzie asked the Colonial Treasurer whether he would amend the Land and Income Tax Act in the direction of enabling the mortgaged small farm to enjoy the exemptions and privileges at present given to his unencumbered neighbour ? . The Hon J. G. Ward did not seo the necessity for any suoh amend-

meat, Small farmers were at present entitled to deduct the mortgages, and were entitled also to the exemption of improvements up to L3OOO. • ' BILLS READ A FIRST TIMK,. >. Tho following Bills wore read a first tiroo:—Government Railways Act Amendment (Hon. R. J. Soddon), Education Act Amendment, Labour , Department, Tenders, Workmen's .Wanes, arid Conspiracy Law Amend-, ment Bills. COMPANIES BRANCH REGISTERS BILL, The Companies Brnuoh Registers Act Amendment Bill was considered in committee, read a third time, «nd passed. Tho House rose at. 1 n.m. : .