PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1198, 31 July 1874, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

POLYNESIAN TRADE. The Premier in laying on the table a batch of papers regarding this subject, availed himself of the opportunity to make some remarks in connection with the question, which were well received by the House. He said that, by doing so, the question would naturally suggest itself to lion, members what course the Government intended to take upon the subject.

The papers were very interesting, and contained all the information obtainable upon the subject, as to whether the Government intended to take any course with regard to the establishment or encouraging of a commercial company to trade between New Zealand and Polynesia. He did not know, but he did not hesitate to express his opinion that the matter was of very great importance to New Zealand, and one that deserved considerable attention. He was quite aware that proposals of the kind were open to objection, and that it was popularly supposed Government should not engage in things private persons ought to carry out, but he thought the maxim was one which every day's experience contradicted. The Government was quite prepared to leave the question resting upon its own merits, for he believed the proposals shadowed forth in these papers would be hardly second in their effect on the future of the Colony, to the Public Works and Immigration scheme. The lion, gentleman dilated upon the fact that Polynesia

would open a great field for the enter, prise of the young men of New Zealand whose inclinations would happen to be more in direction of trade than in tilling the soil. He did not hesitate to say that the day was not far distant when the Governor of New Zealand would be the Governor-General of the Islands. The question was not one of parties, but entirely depended upon the opinion of members whether Government would proceed with it. The risk was comparatively small as compared with the great results likely to flow from it. INEBBIATES. Mr M'Glashan asked the Minister of Justice if the Government have taken into consideration the punishment now awarded to confirmed inebriates in the various Magistrate's Courts in the colony, in sending such persons to gaol, in so far as such punishmeut does not meet the evil by effecting a cure, and if the Government will propose such alteration in the law as will provide that such persons may be treated as lunatics instead of being sent to gaol. Mr O'Eorke said he could not see that the General Government had anything to do with the matter, and moreover, their attention had not been called to it. The question of dealing with lunatics was one exclusively for the consideration of the Provincial Government. Still, as the Government had its attention called to the matter it would receive some consideration. LICE2TSIjSra BILL. The Licensing Act Amendment Bill provides as follows : —The Governor to appoint a Liceusiug Court to consist of not more than seven, nor less than three members, to hold office for two years ; the President magistrate to be chairman. Courts now constituted are to remain in operation till superseded under this Act. Holders of lceuses may have more than one bar, but a fee of one-third of the fee payable for publicans' licenses is to be paid for each additional bar, or such other rate as may be fixed by the Provincial Legislature. Wholcsala and bottle licenses may be issued by the Provincial Treasurer at any time, the certificate of the Licensing Court not being required. Brewers' licenses may be issued in accordance with any Act or Ordinance in force in the Province, and shall continue in force one year from date. Fee to be prescribed by the Provincial Legislature ; and quarterly licensing meetings are to be held on the first Tuesday in December, March, June, and September. Notice of meetings to be advertised at least thrice, in at least one newspaper circulating in the district, a- d persons desiring to obtain licenses to give notice, accompanied by a certificate, and signed by ten householders, fourteen days before the meeting. On application for renewal, certificate of householders is unnecessary ; renewals to be granted as a matter of course, unless notice of objection is given, and it is shown to the satisfaction of the Court that the applicant has lost his good character. Personal attendance is not necessary to procure a renewal, unless notice of opposition has been lodged aud a copy thereof forwarded to the person interested. Licenses may be transferred at quarterly meetings. Pub licans' aud bottle licenses all terminate at the end of June. Licenses taken in September pay three-fourths of annual licensing foe ; in December, one-half; in March, one-fourth. Purchasers of any licensed premises may obtain temporary transfer of license from the chairman of the Licensiug Court at any time on payment of a small fee. Licenses may be transferred to other premises in case of decease or insolvency of the holder of license. Business may be carried on by executors. The Resident Magistrate may grant an extension of licenses at races or balls. The Bill contains numerous provisions to ensure uniformity of conduct in the business before the Licensing Courts. Persons giving false evidenco to be deemed guilty of perjury.

Mr Fox's amendments in committee ; on the Licensing Act are to embody the main principle of last year.s Bill, and place the whole control of the liquor traffic in the hands of the people, and give proper machinery for carrying out the permissive clause. He would prohibit refreshment rooms at railway stations, which was the sole cause of a great proportion of the accidents. He would let all females over 21 years of age vote without being compelled to declare their age. He would prohibit public-houses having adjuncts of billiard rooms and skittle alleys. _ He would allow no barmaids under 30 years of age, and prevent their being kept up unreasonably long hours. Sir J. C. Wilson said that the other Bill failed' because of the difficulty of getting two-thirds of the people to try to close public-houses. Mr J. E. Brown objected to the Minister of Works having power to grant Refreshment Eoom Licenses at railway stations. The power should be placed in the hands of the Provincial authorities. In Canterbury they had to close the refreshment room in consequence of the drunkenness amongst the employees. Mr J. Shepherd said the Bill was good in the main, but he would object to the bottle license clause. Mr Cuthbertson thought the Government had earned the thanks of the country for bringing in the measure, but would object to the clause negativing local regulations regarding the renewal of licenses in the Bill of last year. The Premier defended the Bill, combating the argument of Mr Fox, but said that the Government would be prepared to accept some modifications in committee. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be read a second time in committee on Friday. At a meeting of the Nelson members regarding proposals of the Government, it was decided to ask foi an increase of advance from the General Government of from £50,000 to £70,000; also to urge making a further appropriation for the Nelson and Brunner Railway, and not to bring forward any Loan Bill this season. A resolution by Mr O'Conor, asking Government aid to gold companies, was carried, but is regarded as waste paper. There is no chance of any further vote far water-races this year. At a meeting of the Wcstland members of both Houses, after two hours of careful discussion, the following general line of action was agreed upon : Ist. Not to dissent from or ask for any increase upon the proposal of the Treasurer to grant £OO,OOO for roads in the Middle Island. 2nd. It was agreed upon that in view of the policy of the Government it was not advisable to apply for a loan for VVestland beyond the £40,000 for the Mikonui Eace. All other items of the schedule passed by the Provincial Council being abandoned. 3rd. To induce' the Government to complete, out of Colonial funds, the road from Bowen to Okarito. 4th. That out of the money to be appropriated for roads for the Middle Island, Hungerford's Bridge be purchased, and charged against Westland and Canterbury. sth. That if the Government adhere to the opinion expressed by the Treasurer, " That the Colony and not the Provinces should be allowed to borrow money for harbor works," the Government be asked to assist to carry a Bill for constituting a Harbor Board for Greymouth, endowed with wharfage and tonnage dues, and empowered to levy sixpence per ton on all coal, as a fund to provide the interest on the works, to be constructed under the approval of the Public Works Department. Gth. To urge upon the Government to acquire possession of all rock quarries at Greymouth. 7th. To urge upon the Government the propriety of paying the salaries of Resident Magistrates on the goklfields. Bth. To urge the immediate continuation of the Brunner Railway to Hokitika, and the survey of a railway between the East and the West Coasts. The special settlement scheme in the south was agreed to on condition that the original proposals as to forest workings be abandoned, and that at least fifty families already in AVestland may enjoy some facilities. Other minor matters were agreed to, and meeting was quite unanimous.