HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2655, 18 July 1889, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WEDNESDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replying t<i questions, Ministers said some alteration was necessary in the audit of accounts of local governing bodies, and provision would be made to remedy tho inconvenience to which local bodies were exposed by reason of delay in the audit of accounts. They had no intention of filling the vacancy on the Representation Commission. The following liills were introduced and read a first time: —(Uislop) Wellington, School of Design Bill (Uislop), u Bill to amend the New Plymouth High School Act, (Gtiinriois) Wostland and (livy lidtication Act 1888 Amendment Bill. Mr Withy moved that it is imperative that the Government should without d.'lay introduce a Bill giving power 11 the pa >ple by direct vote at the ballot box periodically taken to prohibit the sale of liquors within any district in which they reside. Mr Goldie supported the motion, which was carried by Kfi to 2f>. Mr Barron moved the gradual decrease of the Property Tax. The motion was lost by (>0 to 11. Tho House resumed at 7.^0. Mr Joyce moved the second reading of the Shop Hours Bill, providing for a limitation of hours of trading in shops, and spoke at length in support of tho measure. Mr Fish opposed the Bill, which would entail great injustice on a larsre number of shopkeepers who could not afford to employ assistants.

Mr Turnbull opposed the Bill. Dr. Fitchett and Mr Steward supported the Bill. Mr DoivnieStewart thought the principle was sound. Mr O'Connor supported the Bill. Mr Izard opposed the Bill. Mr Biuce strongly objected to any interference with the liberties of the subjeei, but the appearance of the Bill showed that mi evil existed. Messrs Moat and Duncan opposed the Bill, which would be found objectionable in country districts. Mr Reeves saw no necessity for the Bill. Messrs Thompson, Moss, Allen and Feldwick supported the Bill. Mr Joyce replying, agreed to insert a clause in the Bill, making it optional for anv city or borough to have it if required. The motion tor the second reading was agreed to on the voices. The House went into committee on the Criminal Evidence Bill. Clause 3 providing that an accused person when not defended by counsel be allowed to give evidence in answer to the charge. A lengthy discussion ensued. Mr Rhodes moved to report progress. The Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time and passed. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Gold Duty Abolition Bill which he explained provided that the duty levied on the export of gold be reduced annually at the rate of sixpence for every ounce, and that four years after the passing of the Act the duty shall cease altogether. The Bill is not to apply tn the North Island except under certain conditions. Mr Fergus supported the Bill. Messrs R. Reeves and D. McKenzie supported the Bill. Dr. Hodgkinson opposed the Bill. Mr Pyke warmly supported the Bill. Mr Moss thought there were other unfair taxes which should be abolished. Mr Fish opposed the Bill. Mr Scobie Mackenzie supported the Bill. Notwithstanding the depression in the mining industry the tax had always been the same. Mrliobbs moved the adjournment of the debate. Lost by 43 to 15. Tho Minister of Mines opposed the Bill. If gold duties were abolished local bodies would be unable to cany on. There was not a general desire amongst the miners tor the abolition of the tax. Messrs xVllan, Fraser, Jackson, Duncan and Anderson supported the Bill. Mr Rhodes opposed tho Dill. After further discussion tho motion for the second reading was curried by 30 to 21, and the House rose at 11.4").