FRIDAY’S PARLIAMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 144, 26 August 1880, Page 2

FRIDAY’S PARLIAMENT.

(From the Wellington Post, of Sarurday). No sooner has the Order Paper of the “ Commons ” been cleared of some of its superfluous bills than fresh ones are added to the list, though happily the number of the latter are not in proportion to that of the former. Thursday night saw the demolition of the hopes of the Native Minister and the temperance advocates who are privileged to legislate for the people, in the sweeping away of six native bills and one calculated to reform the licensing laws of the colony ; yesterday afternoon .witnessed the initiation of four new measures; and the promise of a fifth. Three of the four were necessary fiscal bills introduced by the Colonial Treasurer, and comprised the following : —The Stamp Pee Bill, a Bill to alter the duties of Customs, and the Stamp Act Amendment Bill. The fourth was brought down by Mr. Rolleston, and is entitled the Special Powers and Contracts Bill. Mr. Pulton asked the Government if they would, during the recess, consider the advisableness of amending the law of divorce in the colony ; and the Premier replied that the question would be dealt with by the Judicial Commission ; the Government would no doubt act upon the report next

I session, . Replying to Mr. Reeves, who is ! ever watchful of the interests of goldminers, the Premier intimated that it would not. be advisable to go to the expense of establishing a mint in New Zealland just hpw. Mr. Sheehan was informed that the report of the Middle Island Commission had been sent in to the Governor three days ago, and that a copy was being prepared for the table of the House. In answer to Mr. Fyke, Mr. Oliver said the Government were not aware that the railway line from Oxford to Malvern (Sheffield), recommended by the Railway Commissioners was “a mere pretext committing the colony to building a line from Oxford to Temuka further, neither the Premier npr Mr. Wright had any property near arty line at present in course of construction. Mr. Murray made an attempt to secure a Saturday morning sitting, but was unsuccessful, members objecting to suffer the fate of the proverbial camel, occasioned by the piling on of the last straw. An Imprest Supply Bill (No, 4.) of L 200,000 was rapidly passed through its multifarious stages, and the remainder of the afternoon was devoted to. the recommittal of the Native Land Courts Bill. In the evening, the debate on the West Coast Settlement Bill was resumed for a short time, when the second reading was agreed to. Sir William Fox expressed the anxious hope, of ! the Commissioners that the Government would see their way. to carry out as speedy as possible, though without any undue percipitateness, the recommendations which the administration had concurred in and the House agreed to. In doing so, he did not think any war would arise if reasonable discretion were used. Mr. Bryce, in his reply, said the Government fully intended to substantially carryout the report of the Commission ; but they could hardly' lay down any bastiron rule in the matter. The bill was committed forthwith, and, although there was a good deal of discussion on . the various, clauses, it was passed’ without material amendment, beyond the addition of a new clause maintaining the Act’ in force for three years from the close of the present session of Parliament. The House, rose at 1.15. a. m., till Monclay morning at 11 o’clock.