PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1424, 22 May 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[PKR PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

Friday, May 21,

The Council mot at the usual hour, APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES.

Several sessional Committees were appointed, and also a Committee to devise the best means of congratulating the Queen on entering the fiftieth year of her reign.

A SINGULAR MOTION. Mr Scotland brought forward a motion to abolish hot dinners at Bellamy’s, assigning os his reason the abolition of set dinners in the House of Commons. Ho had frequently seen members waddling into the House after a boa constrictor's dinner washed down by quantities of “ sack.” Major Baillie and Col. Brett spoke against the imputation of Mr Scotland as being libellous and false. The motion was lost on the voices. THE POLICE. AND DEFENCE. Mr Buckley moved the second reading of the Police force Bill, and explained that the Bill sought to dissever the civil police from the Armed Constabulary Force, consolidating

former Ordinances. The Defence Act was a'so a consolidation Bill, and dealt with the Armed Constabulary Force, the Militia, and also with the Volunteer force. Part 4 of the Defence Act Bill dealt with the permanent force, which consisted of 120 artillerists, 20 engineers, 50 torpedo operators, and 150 rifles. Among these were skilled men, and it was to be hoped that no further occasion would be required to send Home for men skilled in the art of war. Dr Pollen considered the Bills before the Council, inviting as they did grave changes and the consideration of financial matters, should have been introduced in another place. The council were for the first time asked to agree to a standing army. Mr Reynolds endorsed the remarks of Dr. Pollen. Mr Bathgate took exception to the Bills, as they were calculated to prove too centralising. He should like so see the Civil police placed under the authority of municipalities. Mr Buckley assured the Council that the only reason the Bills were introduced iu the Council was because the Council had no work before them.

The motion was agreed to. Mr Buckley moved the second reading o: the Defence Bill.

Colonel BreU objected to the clause which provided for Volunteer companieselecting their own officers, as being likely to militate against the discipline of the force. The clauses was objectionable, he believed, both to Colonel Whitmore and to the Defence Minister. The motion was agreed to, and the Council adjourned to Tuesday next

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

AFTERNOON SITTING,

Friday May 21

The House met at 2.30 p.m QUESTIONS.

. Replying to Mr Johnston, Mr Stout said it was the intention of the Government to introduce this session a Bill for the purpose of amalgamating city electorates. Replying to Mr G. F. Richardson, who asked if the Government have received any fuller paaticulars of the concessions asked by the proposed Company for the construction of the East and West Coast and Nelson Railway than those contained in the paper laid before the House, Mr Stout said the Government had no further papers on the subject. In answer to Mr Macandrew, as to what action the Government proposed to take in the direction of giving eliaoc to the recommendation on the Advances on Land Committee last session. Sir J. Vogel said the Government had repeatedly had the matter under their consideration, and he regretted they could not give ellect to the recommendation of the Committee. Replying to Mr Guinness, as to whether it is intended to bring in any measure for the appointment of Boards for the management of the New Zealand Railways, Mr Richardson said the matter had not been decided upon, but he should probably be able to make a definite statement in the Public Works Statement. Replying to Major Steward, who asked if the Government proposed to exercise the power they possess by opening up blocks for sale on deferred paymen* as special settlement areas in the provincial districts of Canterbury and Otago. Mr Ballance said the Government were not quite clear on the matter. Ho would recommend that it should be brought before the Waste Lands Committee. NEW RILLS. The following Bills were introduced: — Mining Companies Bill (Mr Larnacb), Coal Mines Bill (Mr Larnach), Minning Bill (Mr Larnaoh), Bill to Amend the Laws relating to Friendly Societies (Mr O’Connor), Hawkers and Pedlars Bill (Mr Seddon), Bill to Establish and Regulate the Practice of Shorthand Reporting in the Supreme Court of New Zealand (Mr Tole), Bill to Amend the Justices of the Peace Act, 1882, Amendment Act, 1885 (Mr Tole), Apportionment Bill (Mr Downie Stewart), Educational Franchise Bill (Major Steward), Bill to Provide for the Election of Land Boards (Sir G. Grey). THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

Mr Stout moved—“ That Standing Order No. 178 be suspended in order that a Select Committee, consisting of twelve members, be appointed to consider the question of the attitude the colony should assume in relation to the Pacific Islands, and that the Resolutions proposed on the subject by Sir George Grey on the Order Paper of I‘JthJMay be referred to the Committee ; such Committee

to have power to call for persons and papers, and to report from time to time; three to form a quorum; the Committee to consist of Major Atkinson, Messrs Montgomery, Macandrew, Moss, O’Connor, Rolleston, Eeetham, Sir J. Vogel, W. P Stewart, M. J. S. McKenzie, and the mover.”

Mr Lake referred to the practice of Chairmen of Select Committees receiving payment for their services. He thought the time had come when those Chairmen should not be paid.

A lengthy discussion ensued. On Mr Stout’s motion being put, Sir George Grey said a deceptive plan of the Island of Rapa had been hung in the lobbies. He thought it advisable that a correct plan should be exhibited for members’ informamation.

Mr Stout ‘ said the hon. member was quite aware that the Committee had power to call for persons and papers. The motion was then agreed to. TIIK KOYALJUIiir.LEK, Mr Stout moved—“ That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and recom-

mend to Parliament the course which should be taken to most appropriately represent, on behalf of her .Majesty’s subjects in the colony their congratulation and greetings on her Majesty entering on the fiftieth year of her reign : the Committee to have power to confer with a similar Committee of the Legislative Council; the Committee to consist of Mr Speaker, Major Atkinson, Sir G. Grey, Messrs Bevau, Fitzherbert, Lance, Levestam, Macandrew, Ormond, and the mover.” Agreed to. The House adjourned till 2. 30 on Tuesday.