PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1729, 7 December 1887, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[FROM OUB OWN OOERESPONOENT.J

Wellington, December 7. BFPBBSENTATION BILL. Opposition to the Representation Bill was again manifested to-day. MrSeddon gave notice of an amendment to the effeot that the Bill, if passed, shall not come into operation till a census of the colony shall have been takeu. Sir George Grey also gave notice of an amendment ffhioh would fix the number of members of the Lower House at 50 Instead of 70 as at present proposed by the Bill. Mr Whyte wishes to Bee the present percentage .m favor of country districts raised from 18 per cent to 25 per cent. This, he thinks neoeßß&ry, because the now Bill will make the country constituencies very unwelldly and expensive to canvass. MR BROWN'S ABSENCE. A question of some moment was rafsad to-day by the Premier upon moving that leave of abßenoe be granted to Mr Brown, member for Tuapeka. Both Major Atkinson and Sir Julius Yogel spoke as to the undeßirableneaa of hon members absenting themselves from the House for an entire session. Mr Pyke made oat an excellent ciae for his absent friend, instauclng the fact that he had been re* elected for Tuapeka daring his absence from the colony, and although hiß constituents knew full well that his absence was to be further prolonged. The Speaker read an extract from a letter from Mr Brown, m which it was stated that he was about to start on his return journey but his mother, aged 87, and whom he had not seen for 34 years, became Berionsly iil. After Borne observations from Sir Julias to tb.6 Premier, the motion was put and carried. LICENSES FOR TOBACCONISTS. For some time past attention has been drawn to the fact that m the larger towns of the colony there existed a large amount of illicit trade m tobacco and cigars, upon which no duty had been paid. With the view to putting an end to such an undesirable state of things, tobacconists all over the colony have petitioned the House that licenses should be issued to all tobacconists. So far, however, Government have taken no action m the matter, but Mr Beeves to-day gave notice to ask them to bring m a short Bill this session dealing with the question, LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES. Mr Smith has given notice to aßk the Colonial Treasurer wbtn amounts becoming payable to local bodies for their second year's loans, authorised under Peotion 13* of the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act 1 , will bo available for payment, THOSE ABSENTEES AGAIN. Mr Turnbull had another smack at hia old enemieß, the absentees, to-day. He intimated hi& intention of moving an amendment to the Property Tax Bill, providing for the taxation of thesa absentees, who, it may be stated, number 1140, Ho contended that nearly the whole of Canterbury was gradually drifting into the possession of foreign capitalists, who contribute little to the cost of Government and whose tenants were m a condition which Was "aotnally worse than that of Egyptian fellahs," This simile was received with some laughter by the House, but tho hon. member persisted m his statement, and drew a sad ploture of what was to become of the colony should this system of absenteeism be allowed to prevail m the future unmolested. MORE GOVERNMENT BILLS. There are already nearly twenty-five Government Bills on the Order Paper, and how work is to be got through before Christmas it is hard to say. To-day the Premier gave notice to introduce two more Government measures, th 9 Naval and Military Settlers Bill, and the Crown and Native Land Aot Repeal Bill. The first mentioned Bill, it is hoped, will stttle for all time the ever-reourring positions and complaints of old soldiers, which bave been quite as numerous as heretofore this session, despite the Com* mission which was Instituted by the late Government. morni:g sitting . Tho way m which questions have mooopoliaed nearly the whole of the afternoon sittings has been the subjaot of comment for some time, and a vague threat was thrown out by the Premier some time ago that if members persisted m wasting t'ma over them he would be. obliged to aßk for a morning Bitting. The nuisance has continued unabated, there being no leaa today than 35 on the Order Paper. The Premier intimated that he would a»k tho House at its rising to adjourn until tomorrow at 11 a.m. Questions are then to be taken. Leave will bo given to those who are on Oommitteeß to be absent. There was some considerable opposition evidenced, bat the Major was very determined and had his way. LATE SITTING. Not only by morning sittings does the Premier intend to forge ahead through the vast accumulation of baaineßs bnt he has another device which for some time paat has been considered inevitable, namely, the suspension of the Stand* icg Order which prevents new business from being taken after half-past twelve. The obstruction offered to S?ir G. Prey's and Mr Pyke's pet measures will be remembered, and will probably aßsist the Government ia carrying what some members consider a step m the wrong direction. It is certain that what with uiorniog, afternoon, and late night sittings, ho a members will be q"ite fatigued and wearied out before Christmas releases them from their duties.