PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1007, 28 July 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, July 27. In reply to the Hon. Mr Wilson, the Hon. Mr Whitaker said the Government intended this session to introduce a Bill, bised on the English Act, for the alienation of land. BILLS. The Waitara Harbor Board Lean Bill, the New River Harbor Endowments Bill, and the Hokitika High School Bill were received from the Lower House and read a first time. The Dunedin Southern Market Reserve Bill was read a third time. THE HONORARIUM. The Hon. Mr Pharazyn moved “ That in the opinion of this Council the payment of the honorarium to its members should cease after the present session.” He said that there was no public desire to change the constitution of the Council, all that was objected to being the payment of members. To have an elective Council would be a calamity to New Zealand, as both Chambers then having equal powers there would be deadlocks. He would abolish payment of members of the Lower House, too, and make each constituency pay the actual expenses of its member, if necessary, though there were plenty of patriotic men ready to serve their country for nothing.

The Hen. Mr Reynolds said the colony did not wish its legislators to work for nothing and suffer a loss. Mr Pharazyn was put to no expense, and there was even a doubt if he had a right to retain his seat.

The Hon. Colonel Brett said a change seemed to have come over the spirit of Mr Pharazyn’s dreams, as he always came regularly to the Council for his afternoon siesta and to transact his private business. This motion was calculated to deprive him (Colonel Brett) of his rights, and if it was passed he would never return to the Gounc.il, As a rule the honorarium did not pay members. Some members brought up their children, but he could not afford to, and so his wife was left at home in an unhappy temporary widowhood, and all he could do at the end of the session was to take back to his -family what remained of his honorarium. He hoped Mr Pharazyn would return to the Government the honorarium' he had scrupulously drawn during fourteen years. He moved the previous question. The Hon Mr Richmond said if the motion was carried it would be difficult to get a Council together. The Hon Mr Peacock supported the the motion.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, July 27. The House met at 2.30. QUESTIONS Replying to questions, Ministers said: That enquiries were being made through the Agent-General re the introduction of a parcel post system between this and Great Britain. It was not likely the Government would extend the system to the colonies. Inquiries were being made as to the possibility of establishing a system by means of the direct steamers, such as the V. and O. Company conducted with India. —That no complaint had been made of injustice arising from the decision of the Supreme Court in Christchurch in Bank of Australasia v. Mitchell, and in the absence of such he had no {mention of altering the law on the subject.—That the Government would not introduce a Bill for the repeal of Triennial Parliaments, nor could they undertake to give facilities to any private member this session for doing so.—That steps would be taken to secure a uniformity of practice amongst officers charged with the assessment and collection of duties on native lands.—That with the information at present before them the Government would not join in ths Postal Union, as it would involve too great a loss to this colony. That while the Government would not do anything to facilitate the introduction of fresh Chinese, they would be prepared to grant facilities to these already in New Zealand to move to and fro within the colony.

BILLS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time Property Tax (Major Atkinson), Leasehold Qualification (Mr Dick). The following passed through Committee :—Federation and Annexation, Fugitive Offenders Jurisdiction, and Murihiku Native Reserves Grant Bills. They were reported, read a third time, and passed. BANKRUPTCY BILL. This Bill was further considered in Committee. In reference to the amendment made the previous evening on clause 139, providing that wages and salaries should be made a preferential charge on the estate, The Hon Mr Conolly pointed out that in certain cases these preferences might swallow all the available assets, in which case the expenses of the bankruptcy would fall to be borne by the colony. That was a position of affairs the Government could not acquiesce in. He would therefore go on with the remaining clauses, and on some future day have the Bill recommitted, with the view of getting that anomaly put right. On the re-commital of the Bill, he would propose a clause providing that all costs should be a first charge, wages a second char »e, and claims for piecework a third. To the latter preference he proposed to add any sum ordered to be paid by the Court to an apprentice. The remainder of the clauses were passed with amendments.

BILLS OF EXCHANGE BILL. This Bill was further considered in Committee.

Interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. The Bills of Exchange Bill was further considered in Committee. Mr DeLautour moved a new clause “That no bill or note shall attach any liability to aboriginal Natives unless it appear on the face thereof that the same was interpreted to such Native, and that he fully understood the purport thereof.”

Mr Sheehan, in supporting the clause, suggested that the rule should also apply to cheques granted by Natives. The Mr Conolly moved that progress be reported, to give time to prepare a clause to this effect.

Agreed to. AFFIRMATIONS AND DECLARATIONS BILL.

This measure was further considered in Committee.

Mr Mason moved —“That the clause be made compulsory in all cases, and that oaths should be abolished in Courts of law altogether.” The amendment was carried on a division by 44 to 24. Mr Turnbull objected to the new clause, and moved that progress be reported. The Committee divided—Ayes, 14 ; noea, 51. The remainder of the clauses were agreed to, and the Bill as amended was reported. On the House resuming the following Bills were reported, read a third time, and passed : Annexation, Fugitive Offenders, Jurisdiction, Murihiku Native Reserves, Taumutu Native Commonage. The House rose at 12.25.