PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1274, 7 June 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, June 6. COMMITTEES. Captain Baillie was re-appointed Chairman of Committees, and a number of the usual Sessional Committees was appointed. Mr Waterhouse asked that he might be exempted from serving on the Petition Committee, saying that ha wholly disagreed with the way in which these Committees discharged their functions, which had become so wide as seriously to interfere with the freedom of the executive and the judicature. As showing this, he quoted the cases of Government employees, discharged for incompetency, burdening the Committees with petitions, and the cases of Angelique Thetese and the convict Longhursfc. He* said the growth of the powers of these Committees was quite unconstitutional, and there was no parallel to it in any other part of the empire. i he debate was adjourned, and the Council rose at 3 o’clock. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Friday, June 6. The House met at 2.30. new bills. A large number of petitions were presented and notices of motion were given, including the following new Bills—By Mr Shrimski, Pensions Bill; by Mr Conoliy, __ Alienation of Lend, Local Courts, and Bankruptcy Act Amendment; by Mr Dick, Parliamentary Elections* Representation

Act Amendment, Begnla'.’o 1 Elections Act Amendment, Otago Harbor Em- ..' powering Act Amendment. notices OF MOTION. Mr Mao andkew, for Mr Bathgate, gave notice of a motion for a Committee to inquire into the causes of the commercial and financial depression, and Mr Hubstmousk of a motion to discontinue Hansard. QUESTIONS. In.reply to Mr Hutchison, The Hon Mr Dick said he accepted the responsibility for the employment of the present Ma-ter of Burnham Industrial School, the testimonials and other information having convinced him the man was suited for the position. Be had every reason to believe the school was conducted satisfactorily, and did not at present propose to make any change. FIRST READINGS. The following new Bills were introduced and read a first time :—Oaversham Drainage, Abolition of Plurality of Voting (Mr Barron); Waikato Harbor Board (Mr Hamlin); Licensing Act Amendment; School Committee Election (Mr Steward); Extension of Hours .of Polling (Mr Barron) ; Town Districts Act Amendment (Me Whitaker); Eight Hours and , Local Option Extension (Mr M. W. Green)'; Seamen’s Representation (Mr Bracken). SESSIONAL COMMITTEES, Several Sessional Committees were appointed. The House rose at 3.5.