GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3135, 18 August 1892, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE OF itEPRK.SHXTATIVES. TUKSDAY. Thk llouso met at half-past two. The Speaker made reference lo a notice that appeared on the order paper, moval by the Minister for Lands as member for Waituki. He understood that Mr McKenzie dill not question the correctness of his (the Speaker's) ruling on Friday night, hot that the hon. gentleman considered the ruling was somewhat different from that L'iveu in the case of the member for Hawke's I'ay on a similar question. He admitted that the Minister for Lands might possibly have some reason for regarding tho matter in this light, but he (the Speaker) wished distinctly to stale that nothing was further from his thoughts than to show any partiality in the matter, or to show any difference between member and member. The Hon. J. McKenzie said he had much pleasure in accepting the Speaker's explanation, and would ask leave to withdraw the motion. Replying to Sir George Grey—whether the Premier would inform the Houses-hut was tho present stite of negotiations between the Gov-rnor and Ministers in relation to calling additional members to the Legislative Council, and what steps Ministors intended to take in relation thereto ?— Mr Ballance said the negotiations between the Governor and Ministers on the subject were at an end for tho present. Some correspondence had been referred by the Governor to th •- Secretary of State, and the whole of the papers referring to the matter would he laid on the table to-morrow. The Mere Taka Land Grant Bill, the Auckland University College Bill, the Napier Native Hostelry Bill, the Kaipo Reserve Bill were committed, read a third time and passed. The Hon. Mr McKenzie moved the second reading of the Land for Settlement Bill, to authorise the acquisition of private land for the purposes of settlement. The Bill provided for the appointment of Land Purchase Commissioners, to consist of the Surveyor-General, the Commissioner of Taxes, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and District Laud Registrars of the district in which the land was situated.

Mrßolleston, Mr Rees. Dr. Newman, Mr J. Mills, Captain Russ-11, Mr Taylor, Sir John Hall, and Messrs Mer.'dhh, Wilson, and Harkness spoke generally in suppirt of the principle of the measure, and Messrs Biiekland, Fish, T. Mackenzie, McGuire, and Lake against ir. The debate was interrupted by the halfpast five adjournment. The House resumed :it half-past sevon. The Hon. Mr McKenzie moved the second reading of the Stock Bill, to regulate tho imputation, removal and branding of stock, and to provide against the intro-. duction and spread of diseases affecting stock.

The motion was agreed to. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Arms Act ISBO Repeal Bill, to repeal the Act that provided that no arms or ammunition should ho sold to natives.

The motion was agreed to.

The Hon. Mr McKenzie moved the second reading of the Dairy Industry Bill, to regulate the manufacture of bntter and cheese for export, and to provide for the purity of the milk used in such manufacture. He thought the House would at once recognise tho necessity for such a Bill as this; and that the cheese and butter exported from this colony should have a brand on it in the interests of the people who exported it.

Sir John Hall, while approving of the principle of the measure, pointed out that some of the provisions appeared to be of an irksome character.

Mr itolleston also called attention to what he considered too stringent provisions, although he recognised the Minister's efforts to assist this important industry. Messrs Buchanan, Taylor, Oarncross, McGuire and Lawry congratulated Mr McKenzie on bringing in the Bill Tho second reading was agreed to. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Servants' Registry Offices Bill, for the licensing and registration of servants' registry offices.

After a short discussion, the debate was adjourned for a week, as the measure had only just been circulated.

Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Boarding and Lodgiug Houses Bill, for the well ordering of boarding and lodging houses.

The second reading was agreed to after a short debate.

Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Criminal Cnde Bill. Ha intended submitting the Bill to the Statutes Revision Committee, and he should consult the loader of the Opposition as to the constitution of that committee, Mr Jackson Palmer said all innovations in the Bill were verv had ones. Mr Hutchison (Waitotara) said the Bill was a most desirable, codification of the law, and ha hoped the House would pass the second reading. The motion was agreed to. Mr Reaves moved the second reading of the Shops and Sinn Assistants Bill, for limiting the hours of business in shops. He said it was a similar Bill to that of last year, and provided that all shops should be closed one day in the week at 1 o'clock. The motion was agreed to. Mr Reeves moved the second reading of the Factories Act Amendment Bill, to amend certain portions of the Factories Act of last year. The motion was agreed to. The House then went into committee on the Workmen's Lieu Bill, which was reported with verbal amendments, read a third time and passed. The House rose at twenty minutes to twelve. WEDNESDAY. Sir George Grey gave notice th.it he should move in committee on the Land and Income-tax Amendment Bill that all immovements be exempt from taxation. Mr Guinness brought up a report of the Public Accounts Committee on the petitiou of the Colonial Bunk with respect to obtaining a portion 'jf the Government banking account. The r'port recrmim»nrl°d that the Colonial Bankjshould received a share of the remittances. Ke moved that the report lie on the table. MrPinkerton moved that the roportand evidence taken before the committee be printed. Mr Ballance opposed this on the grounds that a large portion of the evidence was o£ a confidental nature, and which it would not be in the interests of the colony to make public. After some d : scussion the debate was adjourned till Friday, to enable members to read through <\\n evidence brfnre I hry came to a decision whether it be printed or not.

Mr Thompson (Auckland) brought np a report on tlin petition from the Auckland Railway League with respect to deciding on a route for tha North Island main linn. He movtt'j that the report lie on the fc.xbfe. Sir George Grey moved to add to the motion that the Government be requested to set ,ip a committee for the purpose of considering and recommending the best route for this railway. A loner debate ensued, and was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. Mrßailance introduced the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill. The Registration of Births and Deaths Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Seddon moved the second reading of the Inspection of Building Appliances Bill, providing for the inspection of scaffolding and gear used in the construction of buildings. Mr Fish saw no necessity for the measure, and moved that .the Bill be read this day six months. Mr Duthie secondej. After discussion the amendment was defeated by 3S to 20, and tha motion for the second reading was agreed to. The Courts of Justice (Technical Defect* Removal). Bill, Education Reserves Act Amendment Bill, Unclaimed Land Bill, and the Orukei Succession Further Investigation Bil! wero read a second time. The Employers Liability Acts Amendment. Bill passed through committee without amendment, and the Bill was passed. (Left sitting midnight).