PARLIAMENTARY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 700, 28 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

HOUSE OF RE PRESENT ATI VES. Thursday, July 27. The House met at 2.30. THE LAND TAX. Sir George Grey gave notice that he would introduce a Bill for the reduction of taxation through the Customs and property tax revenue, the deficiency to be made good by the imposition of a tax upon land. THE LABOR QUESTION. Mr Huchison gave notice that he would move for the appointment of a Commission to consider and report upon the bestmeans for regulating the hours of labor in shops, banks, etc. THE PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS. Mr George drew attention to the sanitary state of the House, and more especially that portion of it allotted to members of the press. He said that among the reporters there was only one able to perform his duties late on in the night. People engaged in the House were suffering from arsenical poisoning, which the hon. gentleman attributed to the green damask hangings with which the chamber was surrounded. The matter demanded instant attention, and he suggested that acommitte should be appointed to report. The Hon. Major Atkinson said the Government would have the matter looked into at once. Mr Macandrew and Mr Brown said it was no use getting a commission to report. They should finish their sittings by midnight. The subject dropped after the Government had reiterated their promise to have the evil looked into at once. LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD. The Lyttelton Harbor Board Bill was reported, read a third time, and passed. OTAGO HARBOR BOARD. The Otago Harbor Board Further Empowering Bill was further considered in committee. Mr Wright moved as an amendment that not more than one-fourth of the sum of LSO 000 should bo spent in the upper harbor until such lime as there was a depth of 22ft upon the bar at low water. The Committee divided. Ayes, 41; noes, 24. The amendment was accordingly added as a now clause to the Bill. The Bill was reported as amended. TIMARU CEMETERY SALE BILL, MV Turnbull moved the second reading of the .North Timaru Cemetery Sale Bill. Carried. OTAGO HEADS. The House went into committee to con*

sider an address to the Governor requesting him to cause to be placed on the estimates LSOO to complete the road to Otago, Heads.

The Hon. Mr Johnston objected, stating that there was an unexpended balance which would be made available for the purpose. On that understanding progress was reported. EMPLOYMENT OF FEMALES.

The Employment of Females Act Amendment Bill .was reported, read a third time, and passed. SCHOOL COMMITTEES

The School Committees Election Bill was further considered in committee, and reported with amendments, which were ordered to be considered on Thursday next. PUBLIC OFFENDERS. In committee the Public Offenders Disqualification Act Amendment Bill was reported with amendments. SMALL BIRDS. The Small Birds N uisance Bill was carried with amendments. LAND BOARD BILL. Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Land Board Bill. Mr Bathgate said his leading idea was to localise government throughout the colony, and maintained that a change was necessary in the matter of the Land Board. Mr Stevens said it was impossible for the Minister of Lands located in Welling- j, ton to look after the requirements of the people. He thought it would be far better if such an officer were to be elected by the people. Mr Seddon looked upon the present measure as the most important that had been brought before the House, and would give the Bill his hearty support. He did not blame the present Minister for any wrongs that had taken place, but he hoped the Bill would pass its secoud reading.

Mr Feldwick called for a division, which resulted as follows : —Ayes, 36 ; noes, 4. The Bill was then referred to the Waste Lands Committee. The House adjourned at 1.15.