PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 650, 31 May 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, May 30. QUESTION. In reply to the Hon. Mr Chamberlain, the Hon. Mr Whitaker said if free or nominated immigration was resumed fishermen would be as eligible as other people, but the Government would not make special provision for their introduction. BANKRUPTCY. On the Hon. Mr Oliver’s motion, a joint bankruptcy law committee was appointed,- the names being the Hons. Wilson, P. A. Buckley, Hart, Holmes, Miller, McLean, Stevens, Reynolds, Oliver. NEW MEMBERS. The Hon. Mr Stevens was introduced, and took the oath and his seat. ADDRESS IN REPLY. The Council presented the Address in Reply to the Governor’s speech, and at 2.30 adjourned till 2.20 on Thursday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, May 30. The House met at 2.30 p.m. the new knight.

Mr Sheehan drew attention to the fact that, while in the other Chamber hearty congratulations had been tendered to Sir Geo'rge Whitmore on the occasion of his receiving the honor of knighthood, no such congratulations had been tendered to Sir John Hall, a member of the Chamber, upon whom a similar honor had been conferred. The speaker bore testimony to the courtesy with which the late Premier had discharged his political duties, and move( i—-'‘That this House tenders its hearty congratulations to the hon. member for Selwyn, Sir John Hall, C.M.G., and hopes that he may be long spared to enjoy the distinguished honor so deservedly conferred upon him by bis Sovereign in recognition of a long and honorable life in the public service of this colony.” The motion was supported by Messrs Macandrew, Montgomery, Major Aihinson, and in communicating the motion the Speaker joined with the House in hearty congratulations. Sir John Hall said satisfactory as the honor was in itself his pleasure in receiving it had been greatly enhanced by the congratulations tendered to him by his fellow colonists. He concluded by expressing a hope that his public services to the colony had been only interrupted and not ended.

QUESTIONS. In reply to questions, it was stated : The fines inflicted on railway employes were at the disposal of the Governor, who had on only one occasion allocated a portion thereof to a railway benefit society. A sum of L4BO had accumulated, and a scheme for its allocation would be prepared.— The Government would refer to the Standing Orders Committee the question of adopting means for preventing obstructive motions, and otherwise facilitating the business. —The reasons for the alteration in the line of railway, Wanganui to Waverley, were—l, it saved LIB.OOO ; 2, it saved twelve miles of line ; and 3, it saved the necessity for a branch line being made.

NEW BIULS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time—The Employment of Females, Act, with a view to bringing shop women and boys and girls employed in the delivery of parcels and messages, under the operation of the eight hours clauses of the Act, and to give the police the right to enter into factories during meal hours and after meal hours (Mr W. Green ; to make other provision for the election of school committees, (Mr Steward.) CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES.

Major Atkinson briefly proposed Mr Hurst as Chairman of Committees. Sir John Hall seconded the motion. Mr Hurst said ho was not by any means insensibe to the honor the Government proposed to bestow upon him. He knew of no compliment which could be paid to him which he would have prized more highly. The course he was now about to pursue he considered was absolutely necessary for him to take in the interests of all concerned, aud that was to ask the Government to permit him to withdraw his name as a candidate. Unhappily there was still abroad in the House a strong feeling of provincialism. At all events, he was very sorry to observe that that feeling had not died out from amongst them, or the jealousies and ill-feeling arising from old occurrences. His candidature he knew would invite a great deal of division, and the friends of the Government, he was afraid, would even find themselves divided on the these circumstances, it was only fair to the Government that he should retire.

The Hon. Major Atkinson said that it was with some regret lie complied with the request, and asked permission to insert in lieu of Mr Hurst’s name the name of Mr Hamlin.

The permission was then granted, and Mr Hamlin’s name was inserted, Mr Pish blamed the Government for faithfully it showed in changing opinions, and concluded by moving that Mr Thomson’s name be inserted in place of that of Mr Hamlin.

Mr De Lautour seconded the amend ment.

The House divided, with the following result: Ayes, 44—Messrs Allwright, Atkinson, Beetham, J. E. Brown (St Albans), Bryce, W. C. Buchanan (Wairarapa South), Cadman, Oonolly, Dick, Fitzgerald, Fulton, Hall, Hobbs, Hurst, Hursthouse, 0. J. Johnston (Te Aro), W. W. Johnston (Manawatu), Kelly, Levin, McDonald, Mcllwraith, McMillan, Mitchelson, Morris, O’Oallaghan, Peacock, Pearson, Postlethwaite, Rolleston, Buthei'ford, Stevens, Sutton, Swanson, Tawhai. H. Thomson (Christchurch North), Trimble, Watt, Weston, Whitaker, J. B. Whyte (Waikato), Williams, J. Wilson (Kaiapoi), J. G. Wilson (Foxton), Wright. Noes, 41 Messrs Barron, Bathgate Bracken, J. C. Brown (Tuapeka), J. Buchanan (Napier), Daniel, Dargayille, De Lautour (teller), Dodson, Duncan, Feldwick, Fergus, Fish (teller). George, J. Green (Waikouati), M. W. Green (Dunedin East), Grey, Holmes, Hutchison, Joyce, Levestam, Macandrew, F. W. McKenzie (Mataura), J. McKenzie (Moeraki), Montgomery, Moss, Munro, Petrie, Seaton, Seddon, Sheehan, Shepherd, Shriraski, Smith, Stewart, Sutter, Taiaroa, Te Wheoro, Tomoana, Turnbull, W. White (Sydenham). Pairs—Ayes, Mr Mason. Noes, Mr Pyke.

INSPECTOR OF PRISONS. On the motion of Mr Bracken, it was agreed that there be laid before the House a°retarn showing the amount of salary and expenses paid to the Inspector of Prisons from the date of his appointment in London up to the present time, includin',; passage money for his wife and family; all travelling expenses per steamer or radway during his inspection of gaols, and the number of days he remained in each place inspecting such ga.ols. At 5 p.m. the House adjourned, and resumed at 7.30. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. On the motion of Major Atkinson, the House went into Committee of Supply, and an Impress Supply Bill amounting to L3t>o,ooo was then introduced, and passed through all its stages. HIROKI. Sir George Grey said it was understood that action was to be tiken in the case of Hiroki, and he asked that the notes of the Judge and his report ba laid on the table. The Hon. Major Atkinson said he would consult his colleagues on the point, and reply later on. i

Tlia WEST COAST PEACE PRESERVATION BILL Mr Sheehan resumed the debate on the second reading of the West Coast Peace Preservation Bill, and supported the measure, denouncing the sentimentalism introduced into the debate by the member for Dunedin. He would say indemnify the Native Minister, and as to giving him further powers, he was equally clear on the propriety of doing so. It was a difficulty for which none of them were responsible, and as I such he said get rid of it on the best [ possible terms. Mr Moss spoke against the Bill. Mr Montgomery, after paying a tribute to the Native Minister, said he would oppose the Bill as being a blot which could not be erased from the history of the colony, and one which would hereafter be regarded with sorrow and shame, and called on the House to reject the measure. Te Wheoro contended that Te Whiti and Tolm bad a right to be brought to trial. They had been arrested by law, and it was but right they should be tried by the law. The Indemnity Bill sought for would clear the Government, and say that they had dene no wrong ; whereas the fact that such a Bill was required showed that they had committed much wrong. He knew the Government was strong enough to carry the measure, but he would vote against it. Mr J. G. Stevens supported the main provisions of the Bill. Mr Daniel stated that, as a Justice of the Peace, he could not consent to a Bill of this nature being passed. Mr Dodson said he would support the Government in the passage of .the Bill. Mr Hobbs gave the Bill his cordial support, and lauded the policy pursued l by the Government. Captain McKenzie spoke in support of the Bill. Mr Watts spoke in support of the Bill, and Mr Holmes moved the adjournment of the debate. The House rose at 12.5.