LAST NIGHT'S SITTING.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1552, 15 June 1882, Page 3

LAST NIGHT'S SITTING.

lhc House resumed at 7,30. TENSIONS BILL. Mv Siikimski moved the second reading of the Pensions Bill. He reviewed the discussions and action taken in the matter last session as justifying him in again introducing this bill, tie would not deprive any man of what was due to him, but he objected strongly to the manner in which pensions had heretofore been granted in this colony. With slight exceptions the bill was identical with the one passed by the House last session, and it omitted the clause which had last year had been objected to in the Legislative Council. Mr Rolleston thought the bill required careful consideration. Pensions in this country were not a growing evil as in 1871. The policy of stopping the giving of pensions was adopted and he approved of that policy, but he held that this country must keep faith with those who had already earned pensions. Existing rights must be respected, though there might have been irregularities in the past. He thought the bill failed in this respect. He thought the bill should be referred to a committee, so that those affected could not be heard in their owu defence, . ■ Mr Montgomery said the bill only proposed to give the House' cognisance of all pensions granted. It was not retro-

spective, but pensions had been unjustly granted in the past, and he wished to guard against this in future. Mr Sheehan objected altogether to the bill being referred to a committee. The bill was only introduced to prevent a recurrence of such things as had occurred in the past. Mr Shbimski in reply again disclaimed all intention of doing any injustice to anyone. The bill was read a second time without division.

TELEGRAMS PROTECTION* Mr Feldwick moved the second veading of the Telegraphs Protection Bill, which was practically a transcript of an Act which had been in force in South Australia since 1873, and was intended to afford reasonable protection to what was really private property. Mr Petrie thought the bill interfered with the liberty of the Press, aud was but the beginning of a dangerous system. He objected to the system on which the Press agency was founded. The bill would simply encourage a dangerous monopoly on the part of the lai'ger papers to the detriment of , the equally useful small papers. Mr Bracken considered the request of the bill a reasonable and moderate one. It only asked for a small protection for private property from audacious piracy. Mr Hutchinson opposed the bill, and contended that anyone who bought a paper had a right to use anything it contained as he liked. Mr Sjiepjikrd supported the bill, and denied the assertion made by Mr Hutchinson that special telegraphic privileges were given by the Government to the Association. The only liberty of the Press threatened was the liberty of certain papers to take for nothing what others had paid for. Mr Stew vkd supported the bill. The protection asked for was fair and reasonable, although perhaps a shorter period might suffice. Mr Fitzgerald was greatly amused at .some of the arguments used in the debate. Papers were nearly all piracy. There could bo no right of property in telegrams. Mr Feldwick replied, and the House divided. The second reading was cairied by 31 to 27. [Left sitting.]

Mr John Knox will hold an important auction s.ilc of drnpciy at his mart, Hamilton, on Satui day next. '1 lie goods ,irejiist landed, and maj be inspected at the mart to-morrow (Friday). On the same day lie will sell 50 sacks Canterbury oats, without reserve, in lots to suit purchasers. Also, sewing 1 machines, furniture, pioduce, tea, sugar coffee, &c, &c , Sec. Mr J. S. Buckland will sell at Cambridge, on Saturday, the 24th inst., a large numbci of useful horses, &c. At the Obaupo Yards on Tuesday, 27th inst, he will sell 250 head mixed cattle, fat and store stock, sheep, &c , &.C. A meeting of the shareholders of the May Queen licensed holding claim will be held at the British Hotel, Te Aroha, on Saturday, June 21th.