PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1268, 19 June 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Friday, June 18. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. STATE BANK OF ISSUE,

Mr Bathgate moved to the effect that the Council advise the Government to take away from the banks the privilege of issuing paper currency, and to establish a Mate Bank of Issuer. Mr Bathgate spoke at great length, aud used generally the same arguments employed by him last session when he brought in his bi.l for the establishment of a State Bank of Issue. The whole system, he remarked, of permitting banks to issue paper currency was pernicious and if a panic occurred the holders of notes would sulf sr. Shares in the banks of the Colony were held principally by capitalists in England, who cared not a dot for the colony. He hoped the Council would agree with his motion, and t if the Government were advised to bring in a bill having for its object the issue of paper currency, commercial, pastoral, and agricultural pursuits would flourish, and the people generally would be gainers The motion was agreed to on a division —Ayes 12, noes 11. BILLS. Several Bills were read a first time and the Council adjourned to Tuesday.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday June 18. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE NEW HEBRIDES. The Premier said he had just received the following telegram from the AgentGeneral :—“ French landing and h dating flag created strong sensation, coming so soon after Freycinet's assurance. Articles condemning action appeared in to-day's pap rV Will telegraph again soon.” He therefore thought the House should postpone the discussion on the question till they saw what action the English Government took in the matter. If the House desired It, he was prepared to go on with the discussion, but ho should advise further dtlay. BILLS, The Municipal Corporations Bill was read a third time and passed.

The Justices of the Peace Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The House went into Committee of supply. The Imprest Supply Bill, for £350,000, was passed through all its stages. IN COMMITTEE.

The House wont into Committee oh the Parcels Post Bill, which was reported, read a third time and passed. The House went into Committae on the Gold Export Duty Abolition Bill, which was reported with verbal amendments, and ordered to be considered on Monday. EAST AND WEST COAST EAILW .Y. . Sic Julias Vogel moved the seemd reading of the East ai d West Coas and Nelson Bailway and BaTways Construction Act Amendment Bit! Mr Richardson expressed his belief that there was only just enough land available for the company’s blocks, and none for the Government. Mr Sutten and Mr Folleston brought forward certain objections they had to the Bill, and the bebata was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Mr Montgomery then resumed the debate on the Now Hebrides question. Ho urged that they should psas a ro olution to the effect that Great Britain should Ire a asly object to the occu' a ion of the

islands by Franc. Mr Ormond did not agree with either Sir George Grey’s or Mr McKenzie's motions, and proposed a third, insisting on the stoppage of convlctiam, and fai ing the declaration of a protectorate by Great Britain, an agreement be made Po maintain the dependence of all the islands.

Mr Stewart th- u.ht Great Britain should occupy all the nnoccupied territory in the Southern Pacific, and the sooner the labor traffic was put down the better, Mr Wakefield was of opinion there was no particular feeling in the country about the matter. He wanted to know if members thought England ought to go to war about these islands. The resolutions before the House could not possib’y have any effect now. Sir Julius Vogel said it was quite impossible to frame any resolution expressive of the opinion of the people of the colony. The House was not In a position to deal with the question in its present threatening aspect. He would move the adjournment of the debate till to-morrow, and from day to day till it seemed desirable to proceed with it. Major Atkinson seconded the motion, which was agreed to LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

Mr Ivess resumed the debate on the second reading of the Land for Settlement Bill, which he supported on the ground that It would enable small farmers to earn their living more cheaply. In committee he would propose the addition of a clause (enabling holders of small farms to bring their land under the Act’s provisions. He strongly condemned land monopoly. Mr J. C. Buckland said the Bill aimed at compulsorily taking land from one class of people to give it to another. As It was, land was unsaleable In New Zealand, and there was no need consequently for fuch a measure. He spoke at length against it, and concluded by moving that it be read that day six months.

Mr Joyce advocated a progressive tax as a solution of the land question, and Mr Harper thought the compulsory sale of land must lead to jobbery, but he was In favor of a system of voluntary repurchase. Messrs Duncan and Moss supported, and Mr O’Oonnor opposed the Bill.

®At 1 a m. Mr Thomsoa moved the adjournment of the debate, and the House rone.