PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 646, 26 May 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, May 25. GAMING AND LOTTERIES ACT. The Hon. Mr Dignan gave notice to ask if the Government will amend the Gaming and Lotteries Act so as to legalise lotteries for religious and charitable purposes. BILLS. Mr Whitaker brought in a Bill to amend the law as to Married Woman’s Property, and a Bill to Enable Affirmations and Declarations to bo taken in Lieu of Oaths. Road a first time. The following were received from the Statute Revision Committee, and read a first time :—Justices of the Peace, Fisheries Companies, Lunatics, Friendly Societies, and Inspection of Machinery Bills. DECEASED PERSONS ESTATE ACT. The Hon. Mr Whitaker said the Government were going to bring in a Bill to amend the Deceased Persons Estates Duties Act, 1881, by relieving from duty property passing to a widower on the decease of his wife. But as to varying tho duty payable on successions to property by collateral relatives and strangers in blood, the Government had not intended to deal, but the point having bean raised, ho would reconsider it and give an answer later on.

ADDRESS IN REPLY. The Address in Reply (which was wholly formal in its wording) was moved by the Hon. Mr Lahman, and seconded by the Hon. Mr Williams, and after a brief discussion, in which the Hon. Colonel Whitmore compared tho financial policy of tho present Government adversely with that of the Grey Government, the Address was adopted unanimously. The Council rose at 450,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, May 25. Tho House met at 2.30 p. m. Fttt.ST KUADI vos. The following consolidation Bills were introduced by message from tho Governor and road a first time :—Customs Laws and Customs Duties Consolidation. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions put by various hon. members, Ministers stated :—The case of the police handcuffing unresisting citizens apprehended for a breach of tho Gaming and Lotteries Act was that of Chinamen, and as a rush was made at the time the handcuffing was resorted to for tho purpose of seeming their identity. In the other case under tho snne Act it was a test case, and tho police thought it advisable to consult tho law olficors before instituting proceedings.—The name of Waimate Junction was changed to Studholm Junction for convenience of tho traffic, in accordance with a general rule, and not at any individual’s instigation. It was not intended to revert to the former name.—lt was not tho intention of Government to introduce any amendment of tho education Act this session.—A. joint committee of bo!h Houses to consider the bankruptcy laws would bo moved for, and the Government wouidon their suggestions be prepared to frame an amended Bill— Government would make proposals during the session for the establishment of direct steam communication with England.—lt was intended to introduce an amendment of the Licensing Act of last session in order to render its operation more effective, and smooth!] difficulties which have arisen.

OAMINO AND LOiTEUIE-i ACT. Mr Steward gave notice of a Bill to amend the Gaminy and Lotteries Act. Mr McDonald gave notice of a Bill for the repeal of the Gaming and Lotteries Act.

RETURN’S. Among the returns moved for were the following, by Mr Trimble :—A return showing tho name of each licensing district in tho colony ; the number of persons in each that could have voted at the last election for licensing committees ; the number of persons in each who actually voted ; number of persons who voted for an increase of licenses ; number of persons who voted against an increase of licenses ;

number of licensed houses in each on the 31st May, 1883; number of houses that have licenses for selling only New Zealand wines : and cost in each district of carrying out Licensing Act, 1831, up to 3ist May, 1882.

ADJOURNMENT. Mr Macaudrow moved—“ That daring the present session of the House any business under consideration of the House at half past twelve o’clock a.m. shall be adjourned by the Speaker without any question being put. If at that hour the House ho in committee, the Chairman, without any question being put, shall report the same to the Speaker, who shall forthwith adjourn the business without putting any question, and the business so interrupted to be put on the Order Paper for next day, in accordance with the Standing Orders affecting other interrupted business.’’ Major Atkinson moved as an amendment—“ That tho whole question be referred to thejStauding Orders Committee.” Mr Mac nub ow accepted the amendment, which was agreed to. ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN. On the motion of Sir George Gray, secorded by Major Atkinson, the following address was adopted :—“ May it please your Majesty,—Wo, the House of Representatives of New Zealand, desire, immediately after our first meeting Parliament since the 2nd day of March hirst, to express to your Majesty our great thankfulness and delight at the preservation of our Queen from tho peril which threatened your Majesty on that day. We humbly and loyally assure your Majesty that, distant as these islands are from the centre cf your vast empire, there are none among the very many millions of your subjects who regard your Majesty with greater pride, reverence, and affection than the inhabitants of New Zealand, whoso representatives, both European and native, gratefully transmit these expressions of attachment and loyalty to their Queen.” The House adjourned till 7-30 p.m. ADDRESS IN REPLY.

The adjourned debate on the appointment of a committee to prepare an address in reply was resumed. Along discussion took place, Mr W. Green speaking nearly two hours, in the course of which he announced himself as an “in* dependent.” Eventually the address was adopted, and the House rose ai< 12.25.