PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 689, 15 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, July. 14 The Council only sat twenty minutes. The Auckland College and Grammar School Bill was read a third time and passed. The Nelson College Bill was read a first time. The Council rose at 2.30. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, July 13. THE VAGRANT ACT. The Vagrant Act Amendment Bill (Mr O’Callaghan), was read a third time and passed. Friday, July 14 The House met at 2.30. WELLINGTON HARBOR BOARD BILL. After two hours and a half discussion, the Gill was read a third time, on the voices. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. The Ashburton County Council Empowering Bill was read a third time. INFORMAL PETITIONS.

A discussion took place with regard to the reception of a petition of an informal character, through each sheet not being signed. Mr Feldwick suggested that a printed form of petition with directions should be sold at a nominal price at'all Post offices. Mr O'Callaghan suggested that directions for drawing petitions should be exhibited at post and telegraph offices and railway stations. The Hon. Major Atkinson undertook- to take steps to disseminate information pp : the subject. PAYMENT OF MEMBERS A message was read from the Governor, covering a draft of a Bill to reimburse the expenses of members attending Parliament and to provide for the same. THE LAND BILL. ; ' Mr Sutton resumed the debate on the second reading of the Land Bill. ‘ ' 1:: : Mr Seddon considered it one of the most important measures before the House, and affecting the future of the country to a very great’ extent. He , thought the attempt to force settlement . within the last few years had been carried too far. The public interests would not have suffered, or the settlers, if a great deal of deferred payment land had not been taken up. It was a great hardship to inflict upon men without money to go ' away and settle on remote lands without having any experience. He did not think the deferred payment system a success. ■ He did not think the arrears due would ever be paid up. The military settlement scheme had also proved a failure. He considered the auction system the fairest and best, preferable to either ballot or tender. He did not think those who had paid high prices at auction had any claim to relief. He was sorry that it was no: proposed to place all native lands under the administration of the Waste Land Boards. This was an urgent necessity. The colony itself was borrowing money, and it was absurd for it to refuse to sell its land for cash. He would support the second reading, but would try to improve the Bill in committee so as to make it workable and worthy of the Parliament. After considerable discussion Mr Pyke moved the adjournment of the debate, which was agreed to. The House rose at 12.15 till Monday at 7.30.